The Barton Group:
Three Mutual Insurance Companies
What does “Mutual” mean to you? It means your
premium dollar buys only insurance. Nothing goes to
investors. Corporate raiders can’t muscle the
companies away and strip the assets. The only people
who can claim ownership are the policy holders.
Your mutuals can insure the fruit of our
capitalistic economy: your assets. You can invest in
stocks and bonds, and so may your mutual, but your
premium dollar buys solely peace of mind. Our sole
mission is service through insurance. Your
independent agent, located in your community,
represents us because he finds value in our service.
The following highlights about each company speak
to a long history of security and service.
Barton Mutual, est. 1894
Until 1969, the company was a single-county farm
fire insurer. The decision to change the company to
a state-wide insurer offering a broader array of
products was based on the changing face of rural
Missouri. With the addition of Cape Mutual (1982)
and Gateway Mutual (1986) to form the Barton Group,
the trio of mutuals cover most of Missouri. We
continue to seek ways to deliver our service at the
lowest possible cost. Barton Mutual writes
Homeowners, Farmowners, Mobile Homeowners, Rentals
and Seasonals, and Commercial properties.
Cape Mutual, est. 1903
The former Merchants and Mechanics Mutual Aid
Society joined the Barton Group in 1982, already
named Cape Mutual. It was re-channeled to
exclusively service our retired population, and
today provides Homeowner, Farmowners, Mobile
Homeowners, Rentals and Seasonals to retirees.
Gateway Mutual, est. 1880
Originally named Owensville Mutual Benefits Aid
Association, Gateway Mutual joined the Barton Group
in 1986. In addition to services to Cape and Barton,
Gateway provides a Homeowners-type insurance product
tailored to the older homes. It is also the
placement facility for hard-to-insure vacant
properties and for stand-alone farm liability and
outbuildings.
Ben Franklin would be proud …
His concept of the mutual insurance company still
thrives today.
The Barton Group is the team comprised of three
policyholder-owned (mutual) insurance companies –
located in Missouri to serve fellow Missourians. All
insurance needs are covered, from farmowners to
commercial property and from homeowners to
landlords. Our attention to your security is our
professional way of life.
The mutual concept, founded by Ben Franklin, is a
cost-effective way of buying insurance. Even in
today’s resurgence of capitalism, mutual insurance
thrives. There are hundreds of mutual companies,
from tiny farm mutuals to the largest personal lines
insurer.
The 21st century will challenge businesses to
provide more services at less cost. The Barton Group
knows no other way and has no other function but to
provide you with excellent service through your
independent agent. Your agent attempts to find you
the best product at the best prices. We’re one of
his sources for you.
You buy insurance for peace of mind. We know you
rest only if we have the financial strength to cover
all of your needs. That’s why we constantly measure
our strength. We too buy insurance against
wide-spread catastrophe, selecting only the
strongest tier of reinsurers worldwide.
If you are a policyholder or applicant for
insurance through one of the Barton Group companies,
you are welcome to review our financial information
and reinsurance arrangements. And we certainly want
to hear from you if you know of better ways to
perform. After all, as a policyholder, you own the
company.
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