Founded in 1860, Germania Life Insurance Company was started by Hugo Wesendonck in New York, New York. Between 1860 and 1862, Germania opened agencies across the country to serve members in territories such as Arizona and Colorado that had yet to become states. By 1868, Germania had already opened an agency in Europe and by the early 1900s, more than half of the company's business was outside of North America.

Germania became the first U.S. Company to open an agency in Europe, but World War I ended the company's business overseas. It wasn't until 1917 that the company changed its name to Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, and in 1925, the company converted fully to a mutual company.

About Guardian Life Insurance Company

Today, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is the fourth largest mutual life insurance company in the United States, with more than 80 agencies nationwide. Guardian Life Insurance Company is ranked among Fortune Magazine's top 300 businesses and made it to the top 10 list of most admired life and health companies in Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America.

With a nationwide network of providers, Guardian provides life insurance, disability insurance and health insurance as well as trust services, 401(k), and financial products to more than 2 million members nationwide. The types of health and dental plans offered through Guardian are vast and varied including the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Point of Service (POS), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), indemnity coverage, or a combination of plans. The following list highlights a handful of Guardian plans and products available today.

Guardian Products

As Guardian members, customers may choose from a nationwide network of PPOs or non-network coverage. Non-network coverage is subject to higher copays and deductibles.

• VisionGuard Vision Care PPO - This plan offers access to 22,000 doctor locations nationwide. Members may visit any doctor or Vision Plan Doctor. Full-featured vision plans include exams, glasses, and contact lenses every 12 to 24 months.
  
  
• Guardian's Exam Plan Plus - This economical plan offers yearly exams and discounts towards professional services and eye wear. Co-payments will apply.
  
  
• DentalGuard Preferred PPO - This plan offers employees and their families the flexibility of visiting any dentist they choose or a preferred network dentist from Guardian's network of 70,000 providers. With this plan, network providers offer the highest level of benefits and significant out-of-pocket savings.
  
  
• Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) - This prepaid membership plan is available in a variety of geographical regions.
  
  
• Destiny Health Vision Plan - Offers access to the Eye Care Plan of America (ECPA) network. ECPA has more than 8,000 locations of independent providers and retail stores. ECPA provides members with nationwide vision care access and assistance in managing vision related expenses. There are no referrals required, and members may change providers at any time. Density Health Plan options may not be available in all states.