American National Insurance Company
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA U.S. multi-line insurance company offering life, annuity, health, pension risk-transfer, property, casualty, farm, business, auto, and related insurance products.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
American National Insurance Company, commonly known as American National or ANICO, is a U.S. insurance company headquartered in Galveston, Texas. Founded in 1905 by businessman William Lewis Moody Jr., the company began as a life insurer and developed into a multi-line insurance organization serving individuals, families, farms, ranches, businesses, and institutional clients. Through American National and affiliated insurance entities, its portfolio includes life insurance, annuities, pension risk-transfer arrangements, health-related coverage, and property and casualty insurance. The company’s property and casualty offerings have included farm and ranch insurance, business insurance, collector-car coverage, personal auto insurance, recreational-vehicle products, and renters insurance. Its life and annuity activities support protection, savings, retirement, and income-planning needs, while its institutional activities include pension risk transfer. Products are generally issued and administered by particular legal entities within the American National organization, so availability, policy terms, underwriting, distribution, and regulatory status can vary by state and by subsidiary. American National traces its origins to Moody’s business activities in Galveston and was established with a stated initial capital of $100,000 and surplus of $20,000. The company expanded rapidly during the first half of the twentieth century, growing through premium development and acquisitions of other insurers. It continued operating through the influenza pandemic era, the Great Depression, and the Second World War, when it became the first Texas insurer to exceed $100 million in assets, according to the company’s historical account summarized in reference material. During the postwar period, American National broadened beyond traditional life insurance. It entered accident insurance through the acquisition of Commonwealth Life and Accident Insurance Company in 1950, expanded into financial services through Securities Management & Research, Inc., and later established American National Property and Casualty Company. Subsequent acquisitions added or expanded life, health, farm-family, and other insurance capabilities. By the late twentieth century, life insurance remained a central contributor to the organization, even as the company operated across a wider range of insurance categories and distribution channels. American National was formerly a publicly traded insurer under the ticker ANAT. In August 2021, Brookfield Asset Management announced an agreement to acquire the company for $5.1 billion. Brookfield Reinsurance completed the transaction on May 22, 2022. American National consequently ceased to operate as an independently traded public company and became part of the Brookfield Reinsurance structure. The American National brand and insurance operations continued after the transaction. The company and its subsidiaries are described as operating in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, subject to applicable insurance licensing and regulatory requirements.
History
American National Insurance Company was founded in Texas in 1905 by William Lewis Moody Jr., a Galveston businessman whose earlier activities included cotton and banking. Moody had become president of American National Insurance and Trust Company in 1904 and moved its headquarters to Galveston. In 1905 he established American National Insurance Company with reported capital of $100,000 and surplus of $20,000. His early management approach emphasized retaining profits for expansion rather than immediately distributing dividends. The insurer grew quickly. Within five years its assets had exceeded $1 million, while insurance in force increased substantially during the company’s first decade. In 1913 it moved into an 11-story office building in Galveston. Premium growth accelerated during the 1920s, supported by acquisitions and increased demand for life coverage during and after the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic. By 1928, the company had absorbed 27 insurers, employed approximately 500 people, and reported assets of $38 million in the historical account cited by the Wikipedia article. American National maintained profitability during the Great Depression and continued to expand its assets between 1930 and 1935. By 1939, assets had reached $82 million and insurance in force was reported at $777 million. World War II produced another period of rapid growth. In 1942, American National became the first Texas insurer to exceed $100 million in assets. The company broadened its product base in 1950 by acquiring Commonwealth Life and Accident Insurance Company and entering accident insurance. William Moody died in 1954 after nearly five decades of leadership, and control passed to his daughter, Mary Moody Northen. Insurance in force reached $5 billion by 1959. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, governance disputes involving the Moody Foundation led to state intervention in the foundation’s board structure and to changes in company leadership. W. L. Volger became president in 1961, followed by R. A. Forbush in 1963. The company diversified during the 1960s, including through the acquisition of Securities Management & Research, Inc. and entry into financial services. Phil B. Noah became president in 1969. During this period, American National acquired Equitable Insurance Company of Texas, and insurance in force reached $10 billion by 1968. The company completed a 20-story Galveston headquarters in 1971 and created American National Property and Casualty Company in 1973, establishing a stronger platform for property and casualty insurance. Disputes over management of the Moody Foundation continued during the 1970s but ultimately resulted in the Moody family regaining control. In the late 1970s and 1980s, American National expanded through additional transactions, including the acquisition of Standard Life & Accident Insurance Company, the sale of Trans World Life, the acquisition of American Health & Life operations, and the purchase of several Primerica insurance companies. Robert Moody became chair of the board in 1981. By 1989, annual revenue exceeded $1 billion and insurance in force exceeded $30 billion. The company continued diversifying in the early 1990s, expanding distribution through banks and automobile dealers and acquiring Garden State Life Insurance Company in 1992. By 1993 it had paid annual dividends for 82 consecutive years and had received an A++ rating from A. M. Best, as reported in the historical material. During the late 1990s, life insurance remained the core business, contributing more than 70 percent of earnings in the cited account. In 1997, insurance in force was reported at $43.8 billion and consolidated assets at $8.5 billion. American National later operated as a publicly traded insurer under the symbol ANAT. In August 2021, Brookfield Asset Management announced an agreement to acquire the company for $5.1 billion. Brookfield Reinsurance completed the acquisition on May 22, 2022. The transaction changed American National from a separately traded public company into a privately held business within the Brookfield Reinsurance structure, while the American National brand and its insurance operations continued. The company and its subsidiaries serve all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, with individual products offered through legally distinct, state-regulated insurance entities.
- 2022
Acquisition completed
[3]Brookfield Reinsurance completes the acquisition on May 22, 2022, and American National ceases to be separately publicly traded.
- 2021
Brookfield announces acquisition agreement
[1]Brookfield Asset Management announces an agreement to acquire American National for $5.1 billion.
- 1992
Garden State Life acquisition
[1]American National acquires Garden State Life Insurance Company.
- 1973
American National Property and Casualty Company is launched
[1]The organization establishes American National Property and Casualty Company, strengthening its multi-line insurance model.
- 1971
Completion of Galveston headquarters
[1]American National completes a 20-story headquarters building in Galveston.
- 1950
Entry into accident insurance
[1]The company expands into accident insurance through the acquisition of Commonwealth Life and Accident Insurance Company.
- 1942
Assets exceed $100 million
[1]American National becomes the first Texas insurer reported to surpass $100 million in assets.
- 1928
Expansion through insurer acquisitions
[1]The company is reported to have absorbed 27 insurers and reached approximately $38 million in assets.
- 1913
Move into an 11-story office building
[1]The growing company moves into a larger Galveston office building.
- 1905
American National is founded
[1]William Lewis Moody Jr. establishes American National Insurance Company in Texas with a life-insurance foundation.
Products and positioning
A diversified, multi-line U.S. insurer combining life and retirement products with personal, agricultural, commercial, and specialty property-and-casualty coverage.
life insurance · 1905
Life insurance
American National’s historical core line, providing financial protection through death benefits and, depending on the policy, features such as long-term coverage or cash-value accumulation. Specific policies are issued by designated American National insurance entities and are subject to state approval, underwriting, and contract terms.
annuity
Annuities
Insurance contracts used in retirement and long-term financial planning. Depending on the product, an annuity may provide accumulation features, income payments, or contractual guarantees. Fees, guarantees, investment options, and availability depend on the issuing entity and individual contract.
retirement services
Pension risk transfer
Institutional insurance arrangements that can transfer some pension payment obligations and related risks from a plan sponsor to an insurer. The company lists pension risk transfer among its insurance and retirement-related activities.
health insurance
Health insurance
Health-related insurance products offered through the American National organization and affiliated entities. Coverage, eligibility, distribution, and availability depend on the relevant legal entity, state authorization, and policy provisions.
property and casualty insurance
Farm and ranch insurance
Property and casualty coverage designed for agricultural operations, farms, ranches, and associated risks. The line may address combinations of property, liability, equipment, and other exposures, although the precise coverages vary by state and policy.
commercial insurance
Business insurance
Commercial property and casualty products for business customers. Coverage can address business property, liability, vehicles, and related operational risks, with available forms and underwriting determined by the issuing subsidiary and jurisdiction.
personal lines insurance
Personal auto and recreational insurance
Personal-lines coverage that includes auto and recreational insurance products. These offerings are intended to protect vehicles and related personal risks, with limits, deductibles, eligibility, and geographic availability governed by the applicable policy and state regulations.
specialty insurance
Collector-car insurance
Specialty property and casualty coverage for collector vehicles. Policy conditions and qualification requirements can differ from standard personal auto insurance and depend on the relevant American National insurance entity.
personal lines insurance
Renters insurance
Personal property and liability coverage for renters. The exact protections, exclusions, limits, and availability are determined by the applicable contract and state-regulated insurer.
Brand decisions
2022
Completion of Brookfield Reinsurance acquisitionM&ABackground
Brookfield Reinsurance proceeded with the acquisition announced in 2021.
Action taken
The acquisition was completed on May 22, 2022, making American National part of the Brookfield Reinsurance structure and ending its status as a separately traded public company.
Aftermath
The American National brand and insurance operations continued under private ownership, with products remaining subject to the licensing and regulatory responsibilities of the relevant insurance entities.
2021
Agreement to be acquired by BrookfieldM&ABackground
American National was a publicly traded insurer when Brookfield Asset Management announced an agreement to acquire it. The announced transaction value was $5.1 billion.
Action taken
The parties entered into the acquisition agreement, subject to the required transaction conditions and regulatory processes.
Aftermath
The agreement led to the later completion of the transaction and the end of American National’s separate public-market listing.
Announced transaction value. $5.1 billion (2021 announcement)
Recent events
- 2022
Brookfield Reinsurance completes acquisition of American National[3]
M&A · Leadership change
Brookfield Reinsurance completed the acquisition on May 22, 2022, ending American National’s status as a separately traded public company.
- 2021
Brookfield Asset Management agrees to acquire American National[1]
M&A
Brookfield Asset Management announced an agreement to acquire American National in a transaction valued at $5.1 billion.
Sources3 sources
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