Over 50 million Americans are served by insurance companies owned or closely affiliated with cooperatives. Open and voluntary membership. A cooperative is open to anyone who can use its services and is willing to accept the responsibilities of membership. Democratic member control. Member economic participation.
Members contribute equitably to the capital of their cooperative.
As a result, investments in the cooperative pay limited interest to insulate the membership from those who would invest purely for speculative return. Autonomy and independence. Cooperatives are self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter agreements with the government, or other organizations, they do so only in a way that ensures democratic control by their members. Cooperatives provide education in the principles and practices of cooperative business.