Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, also known as MetLife, is one of the largest global insurance providers. Founded in New York City in 1863, the company operates in 60 countries and has over 90 million customers. MetLife currently ranks number 43 on the Fortune 500 list of the largest companies in the United States.
In MetLife’s early years, the company sold policies to insure military personnel against sickness and the loss of limbs. The company officially became MetLife Insurance Company in 1868.
MetLife has gone through dozens of acquisitions over the years. Between 2004-2011, it had grown into the largest life insurance company in the United States.
Metlife offers a core of insurance products including life insurance, dental, annuities, auto and home, and disability. The long list of coverage packages are designed to fit the specific need of the client.
The company has strong ties outside the United States, with divisions in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Chile. MetLife also has a long list of subsidiaries including New England Financial, General American, Hyatt Regional, Safeguard Health Enterprises, Walmart Street Securities Inc., and more.
The MetLife Foundation is a charitable arm of the company that donates millions of dollars in endowments to many foundations and organizations. The foundation has donated generously to Habitat for Humanity, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project, and provided other services for economically handicapped children.
MetLife had a 31-year relationship with Snoopy and other Peanuts characters, which ended in 2016. It was an internal decision, which resulted from the company’s decision to focus on corporate clients.
The MetLife Blimp program began in 1987 with the introduction of the Snoopy One airship. It provided overhead coverage during a variety of NCAA college football games, NFL, NBA Finals, and the Kentucky Derby.