Government Legislation & Slave Insurance: How Laws Unlocked America's Hidden Slavery Insurance Archives
Ever wondered how insurance intersects with slavery in America? My latest episode of Insurance vs History dives into the world of life insurance and American slavery. I'll reveal how life insurance on enslaved people helped historians and genealogists uncover stories that few textbooks ever mention. From lost documents to innovative legislation, we'll explore the surprising ways insurance records have brought new transparency to America's past.
And check out my other episodes on insurance history, including CEO pay in the insurance industry, pollution, and other historical insurance events!
Selected Sources:
Great Places to check out the documentation itself:
https://thebpog.org/slave-era-insurance-policies/ (https://thebpog.org/slave-era-insurance-policies/)
This is great as it also links to the archival info other states may have that was unrelated to government legislation related disclosure requirements
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/150-other-prog/10-seir/upload/PolicyDocuments.pdf
This is a list of the CA report policy documents
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/150-other-prog/10-seir/slave-names.cfm
Enslaved persons names and information in a chart from the CA report
https://www.vpm.org/news/2022-06-20/researchers-work-to-honor-enslaved-coal-miners-of-chesterfield
Information on Chesterfield, Virginia where many of the enslaved miners listed in this documentation were forced to work
https://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/SlaveryEraOrders.aspx
Click on the appendixes to see the responses from various insurance companies and other information.
Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters. Reach out for booking info or just to connect at meredith@insurancevshistory.com (mailto:meredith@insurancevshistory.com)
Help keep independent podcasts going by contributing to my production costs: See my page at Buy Me a Coffee: Insurance vs History is Exploring all the ways Insurance changed History...or failed to.
Website: www.insurancevshistory.com (http://www.insurancevshistory.com)
Email: meredith@insurancevshistory.com (mailto:meredith@insurancevshistory.com)
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbrasher (http://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbrasher)
Music Credits:
Boulangerie by Jeremy Sherman, courtesy of NeoSounds: Boulangerie, LynneMusic | NeoSounds music library
30 Dec 2025
Insurance Festivus: Real Grievances, 23 and Me Updates, and Tesla Turmoil
Insurance Festivus: Real Grievances, 23 and Me Updates, and Tesla Turmoil Happy Festivus—it's time to air all our insurance grievances! Featuring real listener comments, updates on the 23andMe bankruptcy (cyber insurers, anyone?), and the wild world of Tesla Insurance, this is a great way to close out the year.
Selected References:
https://apnews.com/article/whistleblower-china-surveillance-tech-silicon-valley-adbd0bcfbb0892bfcb85948acb3f515f
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/tesla-insurance-unit-sued-over-alleged-auto-coverage-underpayments-2025-11-05/
Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters. Reach out for booking info or just to connect at meredith@insurancevshistory.com
Help keep independent podcasts going by contributing to my production costs: See my page at Buy Me a Coffee: Insurance vs History is Exploring all the ways Insurance changed History...or failed to.
Website: www.insurancevshistory.com
Email: meredith@insurancevshistory.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbrasher
Music Credits:
Boulangerie by Jeremy Sherman, courtesy of NeoSounds: Boulangerie, LynneMusic | NeoSounds music library
25 Nov 2025
Insurance CEO Pay: What's Fair, What's History, and What's Next
Insurance CEO Pay: What's Fair, What's History, and What's Next?
I started trying to answer one question: is Insurance CEO pay fair? and ended up with a massive project. In this episode, I dig into the history of executive pay, share eye-opening stats from AIG, and ask for your help with figuring out who gets paid what and how that's changed over time. Plus, submit your insurance grievance for inclusion in my holiday Festivus episode!
Selected References:
1. https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-features/2025/06/16/827459.htm
2. https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/guides/insurance-ceo-salary-how-much-do-executives-of-the-top-insurers-earn-467192.aspx
3. https://consumerfed.org/press_release/insurance-ceos-get-27-salary-and-bonus-bump-while-consumers-see-premium-hikes-and-non-renewals/
4. https://www.businessinsurance.com/gallery/highest-paid-insurance-executives-2025/
5. https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/8/neuehealths-mikan-tops-insurtech-ceo-pay-list-in-2024-92202141
6. https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/8/arch-capitals-papadopoulo-tops-pc-insurer-ceo-pay-list-in-2024-92167011
Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters. Reach out for booking info or just to connect at meredith@insurancevshistory.com
Help keep independent podcasts going by contributing to my production costs: See my page at Buy Me a Coffee: Insurance vs History is Exploring all the ways Insurance changed History...or failed to.
Music Credits:
Boulangerie by Jeremy Sherman, courtesy of NeoSounds: Boulangerie, LynneMusic | NeoSounds music library
Email: meredith@insurancevshistory.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbrasher
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
40 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
63 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
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YouTube
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Engagement
82
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