By Sue Moore
The Church Allstate Insurance Agency celebrated its first year of business in Vicksburg on March 1. In this period of time they have been able to grow the business from zero clients to 468 by their anniversary date. The business is located at 125 E. Prairie Street.
Charlie Church and his father-in-law, Brian Johnson, were looking around for an area to expand in and chose the Vicksburg location. Johnson began his insurance business in 2010 in Kalamazoo on Stadium Drive where he purchased a book of already existing business from an Allstate agent. Johnson expanded to Paw Paw and recruited Church to run that office in 2012. Johnson still has the Paw Paw office, as well as one in Portage.
Johnson and his family lived in Vicksburg school district on East T Avenue, so he was familiar with the area. His daughter, Ashley, is a 2003 graduate of Vicksburg High School and met Bloomingdale native Charlie Church after he moved to the Vine neighborhood of Kalamazoo. “My parents were very involved in the community, so it felt natural for me in coming to Vicksburg to join the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce during my first year here,” Church said.
“Insurance is a fascinating business since we operate 24/7. We represent Allstate exclusively, which specializes in personal lines insurance like home, auto and life,” Church said. “Allstate strives to be number one in claims satisfaction. If an auto customer isn’t completely satisfied with their claim, we offer six months of premium free service.”
“I am an Allstate customer and have had a few claims so I know they go above and beyond. What separates us as an agency is providing the best service possible from a local person you know and can trust. This is especially true during the claims process as we like to file all the claims for our customers from our office right here in Vicksburg.”
Laura Brandt who was with Church in the Paw Paw office followed him to Vicksburg. “I love my customers,” Brandt said. “It’s all about the personal insurance business.” They have expanded enough that Church has added a second assistant, Dawn Couey. “We’re actually looking to grow further, and are searching for great local talent to join the team,” Church said.