Berkshire Hathaway's Biggest Companies: What's Really Under the Umbrella?
First up: GEICO. That talking gecko? Totally owned by Berkshire. They spend billions on ads, yet the gecko has never paid a dime in rent.
Then there’s General Re. They insure other insurance companies. It’s insurance for insurers—woah, meta. Also: Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.
But the crown jewel is National Indemnity Company. Buffett calls it the engine. It collects premiums today, and pays claims years later. That money? Buffett uses it to buy everything else.
Geico’s Quirky Origin Story
Did you know Geico was originally for government employees only? The name literally means Government Employees Insurance Company. Today, anyone can get a quote. Even a talking lizard.
Fun fact: Geico’s mascot was almost a pig. They tested a pig, a duck, and a parrot. The gecko won because he looked “sophisticated.”
Berkshire Hathaway Revenue and Growth Statistics (2026) - SignHouse