Aflac Inc is an American insurance company that was founded in 1955. The company is headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, and operates worldwide with its products and services. The name Aflac is an abbreviation for American Family Life Assurance Company. History Aflac was founded by the brothers John, Paul, and Bill Amos, who had a business idea that would allow families to protect themselves against unforeseen events. The idea came about when the brothers were in Japan and saw how a similar concept was very successful. In 1958, Aflac began offering health insurance in the United States and quickly became successful. The company expanded its portfolio to include accident and life insurance and became one of the largest providers of voluntary supplemental insurance in the United States in the 1980s. Business model Aflac specializes in voluntary supplemental insurance – products that customers take out themselves to protect themselves against specific risks. Essentially, the insurance involves payments that are paid out in certain events such as illness, injury, or death. These payments can be used to cover costs that are not covered by regular health insurance, such as deductibles or salary loss. An important aspect of Aflac's business model is targeting the right audience. The company focuses on employees of small businesses and self-employed individuals who often do not have the protection and benefits that large companies offer their employees. Aflac utilizes a distribution channel that relies on independent agents to sell the company's products directly to the target audience. The different divisions Aflac offers a variety of products in different divisions. The three main divisions are health insurance, accident insurance, and life insurance. Health insurance Aflac's health insurance products aim to fill the insurance gaps of regular health policies. They cover costs that are not covered by traditional policies, such as deductibles or medication costs. The insurances are designed to help customers reduce their financial burden when they become ill or injured. Accident insurance Accident insurance covers damages caused by an accident. The product aims to fill the gaps in a customer's regular health insurance or disability insurance. The insurance can help provide cash to cover medical, rehabilitative, and other additional expenses such as bills related to vital and hospital visits. Life insurance Aflac's life insurance products provide customers with financial security in cases such as death or serious illness, which often have a negative financial impact on the family. The insurance can help provide funds to continue lifestyle and ongoing bills. Products Aflac offers a variety of specialized insurance products such as cancer insurance, intensive care insurance, hospital insurance, dental accident insurance, life and accident insurance, short-term disability insurance, and long-term care insurance. These products offer solutions for specific needs and provide valuable benefits to their customers. Summary Aflac Inc offers specialized voluntary supplemental insurance to protect customers against specific risks not covered by traditional policies. The company utilizes a distribution channel that relies on independent agents and focuses on small businesses and self-employed individuals. Aflac has successful health, accident, and life insurance products as well as a variety of specialized insurances to fulfill specific needs and provide valuable benefits to customers. Aflac strives to financially protect its customers when unforeseen events occur and aims to fill the gaps in regular health insurance.