Cigna has always been in the business of caring. After the great Chicago fire of 1971, Cigna was one of only 51 insurance companies that paid its claims in full. The payments at that time helped care for the 100,000 people that were left homeless. Today Cigna has turned its attention towards the health of its policy holders. It has expanded to become one of the best providers of health care protection in the country. The foundation of the company began back in 1792 as a marine insurance company - The Insurance Company of North America. It began as a stockholder owned company and remains so to this day. Some of the first policies offered were for sea captains going on voyage. The policy covered death during voyage but also paid benefits if the captain was captured by Barbary Coast pirates. Cigna has always understood the value of group purchasing. As early as 1929 the company was establishing the country's first health maintenance organization (HMO) in Los Angeles, California. It also took a leading roll in developing group hospitals and other benefits. Today the company is one of the leading providers of low cost health insurance plans and also group plans for employers and their employees