History:
Aflac (American Family Life Assurance Company) was founded in 1955 in Columbus, Georgia, by brothers John, Paul, and Bill Amos. The company began by offering life and health insurance, but quickly carved a niche in supplemental insurance—policies that pay cash directly to policyholders to help with expenses not covered by traditional health insurance. Aflac introduced its signature Cancer Policy in 1958, which laid the foundation for its focus on critical illness and accident-related coverage.

In 1974, Aflac entered the Japanese market, where it became a dominant force in cancer insurance. Today, Aflac insures millions of policyholders in both the U.S. and Japan. The brand became widely recognizable in the early 2000s thanks to the iconic Aflac Duck advertising campaign.

Ethics and Values:
Aflac is known for a strong corporate commitment to ethics, transparency, and policyholder care. It has been recognized for over two decades as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. The company emphasizes doing the right thing for customers, employees, and communities. Aflac was one of the first companies in the U.S. to give shareholders a say on executive compensation and maintains a reputation for responsible governance.

The company also leads in corporate social responsibility through initiatives like the Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign, which provides financial and emotional support to families affected by childhood cancer. Internally, Aflac promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it’s frequently named one of the best places to work in both the U.S. and Japan.