Family-owned insurance business changes name

GAINESVILLE - Wendell Bagwell, president of Allen Insurance Group of Gainesville, sys the family-based business has a new name: Bagwell Insurance Group.

"We are the same team our clients, friends and the community have always known, yet we've been fortunate enough to take a step in a new direction with the agency," says Bagwell. "I tell everyone we're just an old friend acquiring a new name."

Bagwell originally opened Bagwell Insurance Group in Gainesville in 1980 under the name Northeastern General Insurance Agency. The agency began as a small two-man operation and, in 1985, merged with Marion A. Allen, Inc. in Fort Valley, Georgia.

The merge eventually created the Allen Insurance Group, which joined with the Parkview Insurance Agency in 1993. This acquisition brought expertise in Energy Programs to the agency which has since launched an Agriculture Department and expanded operations to include Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia.

In order to better accommodate customers, the agency also opened a satellite office in Cumming, in January 2005. In addition to offering traditional insurance products such as property, casualty, life and health, the Bagwell Insurance Group areas of expertise also include commercial, farm and ranch (agribusiness), oil and gas, and trucking.

"Even through our expansions, we've remained focused on being a 'hometown' agency," says Bagwell. "We've taken great strides to uphold the quality products and professional service our clients have come to know because we recognize that our success would not be possible without our loyal customers."

Under Bagwell's leadership, Bagwell Insurance Group is currently upgrading the agency's Website and other business collateral to reflect its new name, but has an "open door" policy regarding questions or concerns.

"Our top priority is our customers and we strive to make certain each and every person receives the service and protection they deserve," says Bagwell. "At the same time as we make this new step, we also are planning how we can best serve the community for another 30+ years."