Of Oregon Mutual's 548 appointed agencies, Hagan Hamilton Insurance stands above them all. With written premiums over $4.6 million and 4,648 policies written with Oregon Mutual and Western Protectors, Hagan Hamilton Insurance is the company's largest producing agency. With three locations in Yamhill County (McMinnville, Sheridan, and Newberg), the agency currently represents 2.93% of OMI's total written premium.
In spite of its large premium volume and the slow economy, the agency's Oregon Mutual business continues to grow. As of November 30, 2009 their YTD increase in written premium exceeds 11% (twice the average increase). H&H premium is up $427,949 overall, with $169,613 in Personal Lines and $258,336 in Commercial Lines. This is quite an accomplishment and representative of Hagan Hamilton's strong commitment to Oregon Mutual.
Achieving the top agency position within Oregon Mutual didn't happen overnight. Agency history goes back many years to a time when there were only one or two representing agents in a county. Current agency owner Rick John shared a little history about the evolution of the agency with OMI.
The relationship goes back more than 80 years. Rick's records go back to the 1920s, when the agency was known as Beeson and Baker. A trip to the OMI library led to discovery of a 1921 annual report which listed all agents by county and the amount of insurance coverage written. For Yamhill County there was a listing for Warren & Beeson writing $1,482,582 in insurance coverage. This was the likely predecessor of Beeson and Baker. Records from 1912 show W.L. Warren in Yamhill County, which probably became Warren & Beeson.
The name Hagan Hamilton came about in 1961. Merrill Hagan joined the agency in 1942, going to work for his brother-inlaw in the Gordon Cary Insurance Agency. Merrill gained partial ownership when Mr. Cary passed away in 1951, sharing ownership with Mrs. Cary until 1961, when Mike Hamilton joined with Merrill to acquire full ownership of the agency. The agency grew to have additional ownership partners and in 1984 was purchased by Oregon Mutual, which owned the agency until 1991, when it was sold to Dale Moore and current owner Rick John. Rick, who joined the agency in 1981, became the full owner in 2000, purchasing Dale's share upon his retirement.
The agency currently has a staff of 44 helping meet customers' insurance needs for property, casualty, life, health, and benefits. Written premium and the customer base continue to grow through sales to new clients and acquisition of other agencies. Since 2000 the agency has acquired the John Engle and Gearhart agencies in McMinnville, Hampton Insurance in Sheridan, and Wright Insurance and the Insurance Exchange in Newberg.
Oregon Mutual is fortunate to have a partner in the community like Hagan Hamilton Insurance.