FSL Insights

FSL at 50: Built Together

FSL completed its 50th year in business in 2018, and as President Dick Jones has observed, "all the stars must have been aligned." The company achieved two significant milestones in its 50th year: Assets exceeded $1 billion for the first time, and Total Premium also eclipsed the $1 billion mark for the first time.

Fidelity also recorded its most profitable year ever, achieving net income before taxes exceeding $42 million, which allowed the company to further bolster its Capital & Surplus by an astounding 18.6% — in one year! 

"None of this could have been achieved without the daily effort and excellence of hundreds and hundreds of great people  who have worked for FSL over the years," Jones said, "as well as many marvelous partners who've joined us in this achievement. Fidelity truly is a company that has been Built Together."

The FSL story really begins more than 50 years ago, in 1953, when the Jones family — Forrest, Dorothy and two young sons, Dick and Bob—left Chicago to begin an entrepreneurial adventure. They leveraged everything they owned to purchase a small, three-person insurance agency in Kansas City, Missouri, which grew quickly under their guidance.

It wasn't long into this adventure when the family started dreaming of staring their own insurance company — to provide better insurance products and pricing to their agency clients. It took roughly a decade to realize this dream with the birth of Fidelity Security Life in 1968.

Like their insurance agency, their little insurance company grew slowly and steadily by focusing on the needs of its clients and insurance consumers. Even tragic setbacks such as the death of son Bob, a cancer victim at age 35, and a debilitating stroke that Forrest suffered in 1982, could not deter the forward momentum of FSL.

Today, a third generation of Jones family members brings fresh perspectives and energetic leadership to FSL, along with a desire to continue building on the sturdy foundation established over the past 50 years.

FSL Milestones

We are grateful for so many major milestones achieved of late. Let's also take a look at meaningful achievements over the last 50 years.

1969

FSL receives its Certificate of Authority to underwrite life, accident, and sickness insurance in Missouri from the Missouri Department of Insurance.

1972-1973

FSL begins expansion beyond Missouri, gaining authority in Arkansas, followed by Kansas and Illinois. Company leaders declare a goal to achieve nationwide licensure.

1981

FSL tops $1 billion in life insurance in force. Commemorative silver medallions are presented to the shareholders and directors.

1982

Richard F. "Dick" Jones succeeds his father, Forrest Jones, as President and CEO of Fidelity Security Life.

1992

FSL receives a license in New Hampshire – it’s 50th state – completing a 20-year effort to achieve national distribution. Authority in New York, however, is restricted to reinsurance only.

1994

Ownership of Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company transfers to Richard F. "Dick" Jones, the sole surviving second-generation member of the Jones family.

2007

FSL is granted membership to the Federal Home Loan Bank, providing the company with additional liquidity and an opportunity to enhance investment yields.

2009

For the first time, FSL is named to the prestigious Ward’s 50 list of the top-performing Life-Health insurance companies in the U.S.

2011

FSL Acquires Old Republic Life Insurance Company of New York and renames it Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company of New York; the acquisition achieves FSL's goal to be fully licensed in all states and the District of Columbia.

2016

In a move that assures stability and continuity, FSL ownership transfers to third-generation family members and brothers Richard F. Jones Jr., Bradford R. Jones, and Bryson L. Jones.

2018

Fidelity's Assets and its Total Premium both exceed $1 billion for the first time.