The story of American progress is often told through the lens of its inventors, builders and pioneers. Yet behind every great leap forward is a less visible force that makes it possible: the ability to absorb uncertainty, share risk and sustain growth.
Insurance doesn’t just protect progress. It enables it.
Few organizations embody this more clearly than CNA. Born at the dawn of the 20th century, its story is a distinctly American one, marked by resilience, bold innovation and a consistent commitment to helping businesses and workers move forward.
For more than 125 years, CNA has helped make progress possible by enabling people and businesses to take risks, grow and recover. It has supported the country through periods of expansion and moments of crisis, rebuilding communities after catastrophe and preserving financial stability during times of economic hardship.
At the Edge of Risk
Some risks are easy to recognize.
From Apollo 16 astronauts on their journey to the moon to high-performance aviation, CNA has supported ventures that push the boundaries of what is possible. These are risks that demand deep expertise, conviction and the ability to operate at the edge of uncertainty.
At the time, many of these undertakings represented uncharted territory. Supporting them required specialized knowledge and confidence to stand behind ideas that would ultimately shape the future.
But those moments are only part of the story.
The same expertise that supported extraordinary risks also enabled the everyday progress of businesses, workers and communities across the country. Together, they reflect CNA’s enduring role in making progress possible.
Creating Stability for Workers and Businesses
The American Dream begins with the ability to work, earn and provide, and the resilience to recover when something goes wrong.
In 1897, as America was rapidly industrializing, railroad workers were risking their lives daily to knit the young nation together with steel. Recognizing that a sudden injury or illness could leave a family financially destitute, CNA’s founders introduced a simple but revolutionary idea: affordable accident and health insurance for the working class.
For a premium of just $1 a month, workers received not only financial protection, but also access to medical care, an unprecedented benefit at the time. Policyholders could opt for treatment in lieu of a cash settlement, creating a new kind of safety net for workers and their families.
That early model reflected a broader commitment that would define CNA for decades. By the 1920s, the company formalized its philosophy under a simple but powerful principle, “Justice To All.”
By reducing the downside risk of everyday life, CNA helped make economic progress more sustainable and more attainable.
Empowering Women in a New Century
As the American economy evolved, CNA expanded access to protection and opportunity by recognizing segments of the workforce others overlooked.
In the early 20th century, CNA became one of the first insurers to write accident and health coverage specifically for the female workforce, well ahead of the industry.
At a time when most insurers concentrated elsewhere, CNA recognized both the need and the opportunity in a growing segment of the economy.
That same perspective shaped how the company thought about talent. Following World War I, CNA began recruiting large numbers of female sales agents, who became some of the company’s top performers. They built successful careers and generated significant new business in what had traditionally been a male-dominated industry.
These decisions did more than grow the business. They expanded who had access to insurance and opportunity.
Standing Firm Through Fire and Depression
CNA’s role as a stabilizing force has been tested during some of the most difficult moments in American history.
In the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fires, more than 20 insurers declared bankruptcy or sought to avoid paying claims. CNA honored every obligation, paying every claim on time and in full, and helped businesses and communities rebuild.
Decades later, during the Great Depression as financial systems faltered, CNA maintained its strength and ensured policyholders could access funds when they needed them most. In doing so, it preserved critical financial lifelines during a period of widespread uncertainty.
In moments when others pulled back, CNA stood firm, helping sustain livelihoods and restore economic momentum.
Insuring the Extraordinary
The American Dream has always been defined by ambition, the willingness to take risks, push boundaries and pursue what has not yet been done.
Following World War II, CNA expanded into what became known as a “Department Store of Insurance,” building excess and surplus capabilities grounded in specialized underwriting. This positioned the company to take on complex, unconventional risks.
Over time, that expertise enabled CNA to support some of the most ambitious undertakings of the modern era, from the Indianapolis 500 and the Blue Angels to Apollo 16 astronauts on their journey to the moon.
Whether supporting workers during industrialization or enabling exploration at the frontiers of science, CNA has consistently applied specialized expertise and conviction to risks.
That pioneering spirit continues today as new industries and emerging risks shape the next chapter of American progress.
Enduring Strength and Reliability
Today, CNA is one of the largest U.S. commercial lines insurers, supporting millions of businesses and professionals through a global network of brokers and partners.
Its commitment continues through specialized underwriting solutions, including the recent launch of Cardinal E&S, a dedicated brand designed to serve the evolving needs of the wholesale market and increasingly complex risks.
For more than 125 years, CNA has stood behind the risks that move America forward, from the workers who helped build a young nation to the pioneers who reached the moon and the industries shaping the future.
Progress has always required expertise, conviction and a willingness to venture into the unknown. That is the American spirit. For more than a century, those same qualities have defined CNA.