Peninsula Insurance in Gig Harbor has added muscle to its insuring power by merging with the Fournier Group, another long-standing area agency.
“I wanted to ensure that the agency was well taken care of with potential partners that had the same culture and ethics as our agency,” owner Jim Thomas said. “I also wanted someone that represented a proximity to the clients. I wasn’t interested in someone coming down from Seattle.”
Thomas has 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and has owned Peninsula Insurance with his wife, Chris, since 1986. The family-owned Fournier group has been in operation since 1977 and has several offices in Washington and Oregon, along with conducting business in all 50 states.
“This (merger) increases our footprint out to Gig Harbor and beyond,” Ryan Fournier said. “Jim is the most unselfish owner we’ve dealt with over the years. He focuses primarily on clients and staff when a lot of other owners focus on themselves.”
Thomas said he and members of the Fournier Group have been doing business together informally since 2002, but they began serious discussions about merging six months ago.
“Our cultures matched integrity in how we do business,” Fournier said. “We basically just turned an informal relationship into a formal relationship.”
Thomas said the partnership would give Peninsula Insurance more products and leverage.
“Size counts substantially in this industry,” he said. “This will give us more benefits to extend to the clients. We can expand our markets to allow greater flexibility to ensure that our harbor clients are receiving competitive premiums and products.
“It gives us more leverage with insurance carriers and their willingness to provide us competitive quotes.”
Mike Englund of the Fournier Group said that Peninsula Insurance’s reputation made the merger attractive.
“The partnership brings more to the table in terms of customer service,” he said.
Thomas describes his staff of five licensed insurance agents as “very seasoned.” Fournier said the experience of the staff was a big factor in the merger.
“An important piece of this is Jim’s involvement on a go-forward basis,” he said. “He’s a forward thinker who wants to ensure the ongoing success of the organization.”
Thomas said technology is driving the industry and the computerization of client files is allowing agents to spend more time attending to clients’ needs.
“I had the opportunity to choose a firm with a high degree of integrity,” he said. “Because of their expertise, they (the Fournier Group) will be able to take the agency to the next level.”
The insurance company has served the area for 11 years. It’s located at 5262 Olympic Drive NW, Suite A, in Gig Harbor. For more information, call 253-851-3323.
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