The Allstate Corporation began in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck and Co., later became a separate public company, and reached full independence in the mid-1990s. The company focuses on personal property-liability insurance and protection offerings, with products that include auto, homeowners, renters, umbrella, and other personal lines coverage. Allstate operates protection services businesses and markets insurance through exclusive agents, independent agents, contact centers, and online channels. The business is one of the larger publicly held personal lines insurers in the United States, with a broad consumer-focused presence across insurance and related protection products.