UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
= SM BULLETIN No. 840 vi a 
Contribution from the Office of Farm Management. 
H. C. TAYLOR, Chief. 
Washington, D. C. v April 27, 1920 
A SYSTEM OF RECORDS FOR LOCAL FARMERS’ 
MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES. 
By V. N. VAuGREN, Investigator in Agricultural Insurance. 
CONTENTS. 
Page. Page. 
Vir GsTSOGL UT CaN ON es ec ee 1 | System recommended—Continued. 
SVStemsenow Im uses. 2 See 2 MMU TepOLt oor ae rene 9 
system recommended 22-2 ree 2 Index of policy holders________ 15 
Rolicye resisters === a ee 3 Periodic summaries___________ 16 
Increases and cancellations____ SHIA Con Gluislon ee ee ee oe eee Pe 22 
Cash receipts and disbursements 8 
INTRODUCTION. 
There are nearly 2,000 farmers’ mutual fire insurance companies in 
the United States. Most of these farmers’ mutuals are strictly local 
concerns, confining their business to a single county or at most a few 
adjoining counties. Many even limit themselves to a fraction of a 
county. These companies, generally speaking, have been very suc- 
cessful, and they are saving the farmers of the country a large sum of 
money every year by reason of the relatively low cost at which they 
furnish insurance protection. 
One of the greatest needs of a large percentage of these companies 
is a system of records which is simple and sparing in its demands 
upon the time and effort of the secretary, and yet makes readily 
available all necessary information concerning the business of the 
company. This need has been emphasized on many occasions by 
officers of farmers’ mutuals. The desire for greater uniformity in 
the records of these companies has frequently been expressed also 
by supervising State officials as well as by the companies’ officers 
gathered in conventions of State or national associations. 
Notr.—Acknowledgment is due Messrs. G. A. Nahstoll and A. V. Swarthout, in- - 
vestigators in market business practice, of the Bureau of Markets, for suggestions em- 
bodied in this bulletin. 
150641°—Bull. 840—20 1 
