Last Updated on 5 hours ago by Vijay Kumar
George Joseph, the founder and longtime chairman of Mercury General Corporation, passed away at the age of 104. The company announced his death on August 26, 2026.
George Joseph was an American businessman best known for founding Mercury General Corporation, a major U.S. automobile insurance company. He founded Mercury Insurance in 1962 and remained closely involved with the company for decades.
At a time when the automobile insurance industry largely followed a one-rate-fits-all approach, Joseph saw an opportunity to make insurance pricing more responsive to individual drivers. Mercury introduced auto insurance policies with rates based on factors such as a driver’s driving record and experience, helping the company establish a distinctive position in the industry.
Under Joseph’s leadership, Mercury grew from a small California insurer into a major independent automobile insurance provider. He served as the company’s CEO for 45 years before stepping down in 2006, after which he continued to serve as executive chairman. By 2013, Mercury had approximately 4,000 agents and $4 billion in assets.
Joseph was born in Beckley, West Virginia, on September 11, 1921. During World War II, he served as a B-17 navigator and reportedly flew 50 missions.
Even in his later years, Joseph remained actively involved with Mercury as chairman of the board, continuing to contribute to the company he had built and helping preserve its long-standing vision.
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