Red River Mutual started as the Mennonite Insurance Organization. Formed in 1875, our mandate was to help protect the interests of the Mennonite people who immigrated to Western Canada from Russia in the early 1870′s.

These early immigrants settled on farms and hamlets that had no fire protection. Stock insurance companies were reluctant to provide insurance on unprotected risks and would charge very high premiums or decline to insure these risks altogether. Seeing a need to share fire losses, the Mennonite people formed the Mennonite Insurance Organization. Mennonite churches operated the organization until 1941 when it became incorporated as a mutual insurance company.

If you’re a history buff, read our historical highlights page for more information.