What answers I do have at the moment will probably be just as dissatisfying as the answers already received from the various associations. Here in the states I'm not sure there is such an animal as a "cooperative" insurance company, at least I've never read an insurance organization law that mentioned them. Mutual companies tend to have self-perpetuating boards controlled by management.

There are companies that are owned by their agents (LifeUSA comes to mind) and no doubt there are stock companies owned by their employees.

I think the closest to the ideal of a cooperative insurance company that state insurance laws allow is that of fraternal insurers. They are regarded as passe these days...but a little marketing dare-and-do....and a mass social movement and common social bonds placed in the mix...and...voila!

I've threatened to start or take over a fraternal a time or two...not within anyone's earshot though.

One possibility for forming a cooperative insurance company would be to form a holding company that is an employee-owned cooperative. In several states companies can form Mondragon-style "internal capital account cooperatives." But such an arrangement would not really fit the definition of a consumer cooperative operating as an insurer. Perhaps a consumer cooperative could itself form such a holding company.

Any other possibilities?

As far as I know, the Mutuals here in North America were started by farmers back in the 1830's. They were run along coop lines. But since then they have degenerated, as Alan mentions. The French Mutual Movement however, still is run along coop lines, as far as I can see, and came about as a result of the labor movement. See: http://www.mutualite.fr/web/frameset.nsf/home