What does it mean for a stock company to mutualize?

When a stock company mutualizes, it transitions from a stock company structure to that of a mutual company. This means that instead of being owned by shareholders with profit motives, the company becomes owned by its policyholders. In a mutual company, the focus shifts to serving the interests of the insured individuals, as they are considered the owners of the company. This ownership structure allows profits to be returned to members in the form of dividends or lower premiums, rather than being distributed to external shareholders. The mutualization process often involves the stock company reorganizing its governance and financial structure to reflect this new purpose and ownership model.