Doran Insurance and Services, Inc has been serving the insurance needs of Stronghurst and the surrounding areas for the past 77 years.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Bonnie Johnson, The Quill Staff
Doran Insurance and Services, Inc.
Doran Insurance and Services, Inc has been serving the insurance needs of Stronghurst and the surrounding areas for the past 77 years.
During this time, the agency has seen many changes and continues to grow as a full service, all lines insurance agency.
Mr. Charles Fort was the original owner of the agency, establishing it in 1927. Charles Fort and Lyman Fort later sold the agency to Eldridge Fort, Jr. In March of 1939, the original agency contract with Pekin Insurance was signed.
In 1960, Robert McFall joined the agency and the name was changed to Fort & McFall Insurance.
In 1966 Howard Grigsby, who had purchased the Flem McMillan Agency in 1949, joined the agency and the name was changed again to McFall & Grigsby after the two men established a partnership.
The agency expanded again in 1967 when LaRoy Brooks sold his agency to McFall & Grigsby Insurance. Howard Grigsby later sold his shares to McFall in 1974.
The agency continued to expand with the purchase of the David Bellinger Agency in Roseville and the agency now had two offices, one in Stronghurst and the other in Roseville. In 1977, the agency was joined by Denny Hilligoss and the name changed to McFall, McFall, & Hilligoss, Inc.
The final expansion came in 1987 when McFall, McFall & Hilligoss purchased the Doran Insurance Agency of Lomax and Carman. With this expansion, Tom and Diana Doran joined the agency. Tom had been specializing in life and health insurance since 1983, while Diana had been specializing in property and casualty insurance since 1984.
Laura Marshall joined the agency in 1987 as a secretary and licensed customer service representative and Paula Bigger joined the agency in 1990 as a data processor and licensed all lines insurance producer. Jessica Booton, Tom and Diana's oldest daughter, joined the agency in 2000, and handles the accounting and marketing for the agency.
In 1990, the agency corporation name was changed to McFall, Doran & Associates, Inc and in 1991, Tom and Diana Doran purchased all shares from the Robert R. McFall and Grace McFall Family Trust. In December 1997, the agency was named Doran Insurance and Services, Inc.
Bryan Hubbard joined the agency in December of 1991 as an all lines insurance producer. Bill Zurmuehlen has been with the agency for over 10 years specializing in life, health and Aflac products.
The agency has received many awards over the years for the outstanding service provided it's clients. The highest honor given to Tom has been the "Inner Circle Award" given by Pekin Life Insurance Company for those few individuals who have shown excellence in their field. Tom was first given this award in 1988 and has received it every year since.
Diana Doran, who heads the property and casualty divisions of the agency has received many awards also. The highest honor given for service, quality, growth and profitability in the property and casualty line, "President's Award of Excellence" from Westfield Companies has been given to the agency five times, as well as claims service awards from Pekin Insurance Rockford Mutual Insurance, and Westfield Group.
Tom Doran was laid off from his job with Burlington Northern Railroad in 1982 and as he looks back now, that probably was fortunate for him. He went to Chicago, took some courses in the insurance business and went to work for Combined Insurance Company. He went door-to-door throughout 16 counties selling insurance.
In the 80's, the insurance market was tough because the economy was weak. He decided going door-to-door in such a large area was not good as he and Diana were raising a family.
Diana decided to receive her license and they opened a business in Lomax, covering the Lomax-Carman area.
They joined McFall, McFall & Hilligoss and later bought all shares to own their own company.
It was hard to get financing for insurance companies back in those days, but fortunately for this area, the Dorans found the financing.
James Spiker joined the agency in September, 2003. He comes to the agency with over 20 years of experience in both lines of insurance (life and health, property and casualty).
A concern for both Tom and Diana today is the economic development in the area. Tom is very active on the Henderson County Board and is concerned about the financial future of this area and the increase of taxes.
Tom is wanting people to think outside the box, coming up with ideas to help the county grow and to keep young people in the area and to bring new people in.
Both Tom and Diana think shopping locally certainly helps the economy.
The Dorans enjoy working with people and helping them purchase the right insurance for their needs. They feel they have been blessed with good employees throughout the years who are very knowledgeable and work well with the public.
Tom and Diana will be married 25 years (today) December 1st. They have three children, Jessica (Ryan) Booton, who just received her MBA, Sara Doran, who is working towards her Doctorate in Pharmacology, and Chris, a student at WIU.
They have one granddaughter, Corinne.