About Us
ARAG®, or Allgemeine Rechtsschutz-Versicherungs Aktien Gesellschaft (translation: general legal protection insurance incorporated), sold its first legal plan in the United States more than 35 years ago. But the roots of the company run much deeper. ARAG was founded in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1935 by attorney Heinrich Fassbender, and remains a family-owned company today, with Paul-Otto Fassbender at the helm. Since its inception, the company has focused its efforts on a single goal – to help people protect their rights and assets by making quality legal services affordable to all.
In the U.S. we were founded in 1973 as a division of Midwest Mutual Insurance Company and began creating, marketing and administering a new group legal product. In 1989, ARAG purchased the organization and created ARAG Insurance Company.
Today, ARAG is a global leader of legal insurance. Our international presence protects 15.5 million people in 13 countries and has a total annual premium base of $1.75 billion. ARAG Insurance Company is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.
To learn more about how ARAG Legal Plans allow people to protect their family, finances and future visit Considering ARAG?.
Company History Highlights
2000s – In 2000 we introduced online legal tools and resources and ARAGdirect®.com (previously LawExpress™) to offer options to individual consumers. That same year ARAG also started offering care giving services. During 2001 we launched Identity Theft Case Solutions™ to help individuals protect themselves against identity theft.
As our organization continued to grow, we acquired the assets of LegalWise North America in 2002. We also started offering several new services, including a dedicated immigration attorney network to help with INS issues. During 2003 we acquired Advisory Communication Systems, Inc. (ACS/LawPhone) and diversified our business into new markets.
In 2006 we enhanced our customer service by creating a new member web site and a new Welcome Package for members.
1990s – In the beginning of the decade we created an exclusive branch within our attorney network to deliver fast and friendly assistance over the phone. We also started offering a tax service for federal tax advice. During 1995 we introduced a new comprehensive legal plan that covers broad, paid in full benefits, and the next year we introduced financial planning services. In 1998 we launched a plan design combining legal and financial planning resources into a single offering.
1980s – In 1989 ARAG Insurance Company was incorporated by Germany-based ARAG.
1970s – In 1973 the Midwest Mutual Insurance Company created a division to market and administer group legal insurance plans, the first in the United States.
