Unitrin Direct was founded in 2000 as a subsidiary of Unitrin, Inc. (
NYSE: UTR ). In 2002 Unitrin Direct acquired eKemper and combined the business under Unitrin Direct. On June 29, 2007
Trinity Universal Insurance Company, a subsidiary of
Unitrin Inc., purchased
Merastar Insurance Company: a company based in Chattanooga, Tennessee that specialized in the sale of personal automobile, homeowners, boat, and personal umbrella insurance through employer-sponsored voluntary benefit programs. The sale was completed for a cash payment of approximately $47 Million. Merastar Insurance became a part of Unitrin Direct. Starting August 25, 2011, Unitrin officially began operations as Kemper Corporation, with trading on the New York Stock Exchange as the KMPR ticker symbol. On May 2, 2012, Unitrin Direct officially changed its name to Kemper Direct. On July 19, 2012, Kemper Corporation announced it would cease direct marketing activities for Kemper Direct, after having placed Kemper Direct into a runoff strategy. ==States==