Bennett Insurance merges with Carmel firm

WINAMAC - Dave Bennett has announced the merger of his insurance agency with Shepherd Insurance of Carmel. The merged agency will be known as Bennett & Shepherd Insurance.

Shepherd Insurance is among the top 100 largest independent insurance agencies in the nation. Bennett & Shepherd Insurance is one of the 16 Shepherd offices across the U.S.

“This merger allows our agency to represent more insurance carriers and write insurance in many other states,” said Bennett. “It lets us keep the same local level of service and enables us to compete with the largest brokers out there.”

Bennett Insurance was originally started by Frank H. King in 1929, then known as the King Agency. His son-in-law, Jim Gordon, took over the business in the 1970s and partnered with Bennett in 1986. The Dilts Agency was acquired in 1987 followed by the purchase of Kopkey Insurance. Jim Gordon retired in 1992, and the agency became known as Bennett Insurance Agency.

Bennett’s staff will remain the same with Dave and Patsy Bennett, Connie Roe and Theresa Calloway. The agency will stay located at 118 N. Monticello St. in Winamac.

Shepherd Insurance is a privately owned insurance agency that has delivered risk management solutions since 1977. With over 240 employees and 16 offices throughout Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Arizona and Florida, Shepherd writes business in all 50 states, receiving consistent industry recognition.