Although Community Insurance Center, Ltd. has had many changes in the last year, they continue to offer their clients the same competitive rates and personal protection as in the past.
The company moved their Metamora and Oxford offices within one week of each other last July and closed their Lake Orion office.
The idea of a community-based insurance agency was started in the early 50s with the merger of two successful Oakland County insurance agencies ? Allen Insurance Agency and Hall Insurance Agency (later renamed Hall-Knauf Insurance Agency when Robert Knauf of Oxford purchased the interest of Harry Hall).
Late in 1978, the new business entity of Community Insurance Center was formed. The present owners are Robert Knauf and Don Harrison, both Oxford residents.
Today, Community Insurance Center is one of the largest insurance agencies in Northern Oakland County.
Besides the new locations of the Oxford and Metamora offices, Frankenmeuth Mutual Insurance is a new addition to the center’s family.
‘One of the reasons we wanted to pick them up is they have a fantastic builders program for contractors, heating/cooling guys, plumbers, basically anybody in the construction field,? Harrison said. ‘They have one of the better programs.?
Long-standing relationships with Michigan-based companies like Employers Mutual, Allied Insurance, AutoOwners and Pioneer State Mutal help Community Insurance Center offer the best rates.
‘If one company has a significant increase, we can look at one of the other companies to help off-set that increase and perhaps reduce the premium,? Harrison explained.
Community Insurance Center is a full service insurance agency that offers commercial, homeowners, automobile, health and life insurance. Harrison said they even do some higher-risk types of coverage, like pollution liability.
About 60 percent of Community Insurance Center’s clients purchase personal insurance, while 40 percent includes commercial insurance.
Personal insurance includes homeowners, automobile, watercraft, motorcycle, rental property, valuable items, antiques, jewelry, collectors items, recreational vehicles, umbrella liability and flood.
Commercial insurance includes property liability, crime, garage keepers, liquor liability, professional liability, automotive, tools and equipment, motor cargo, builders risk and bonds.
Harrison said Community Insurance Center is dedicated to working with Michigan-based companies because they ‘recognize what is going on? in the area better than larger east coast companies.
‘They can respond a lot quicker to the market conditions and their pricing is usually below and more favorable,? he said. ‘They’re not dealing with hurricanes in Louisiana or Florida or the wild fires in California.?
The purchase of a main frame computer system and the continuing professional education of all employees are just two ways Harrison said Community Insurance Center is keeping pace with the ever-changing insurance industry.
The agency staff includes three Certified Insurance Counselors, two Licensed Insurance Counselors, as well as several Licensed Agents. They are also a member of the Michigan Association of Independent Insurance Agents.
The staff at Community Insurance Center is committed to being one of the premier independent insurance agencies in Oakland and Lapeer Counties.
Their commitment is to provide customers with the best insurance value and service available, while maintaining the highest ethical standards and credibility with their clients, carriers, and the public.
Community Insurance Center is also a company of convenience, offering clients free quotes for new polices in person, by phone or on the internet.
Meet the agents of the Community Insurance Center in Oxford, Monday’Friday from 8:30 a.m.?5 p.m. and 9 a.m?5p.m. at the Metamora office. Evenings and weekends can be made by appointment.
For more information, call or e-mail Don Harrison at (248) 628-2505, dharrison@cicinsctr.com or visit their website at www.communityinsurancecenter.com.