History of U.S. Commercial Insurance Authored by Former Industry CEO

A new book has been written that chronicles the history of the insurance industry in the United States. John A. Bogardus Jr., a veteran of Alexander & Alexander (A&A), has co-authored and published the book, “Spreading the Risks: Insuring the American Experience,” focusing on the history of the U.S. commercial insurance market. Bogardus Jr. collaborated with Robert H. Moore, former president of A & A Government and Industry Affairs Inc., of Washington, D.C., combining results from a 13-year research and writing effort.

The book provides an overview of the commercial insurance business from stemming from Colonial times.

Bogardus focuses in particular on A&A and its experiences with globalization and corporate scandals. Bogardus discusses what A&A dubbed the “Howden Affair,” the revelation of suspicions accounting practices and business transactions at a major U.K. broker, Howden, which was acquired by A&A in 1982.