One of Southeastern Massachusetts’ largest independent insurance agencies has been acquired. In a deal announced just before the holidays, World Insurance Associates LLC (WIA) of New Jersey announced its purchase of the R.S. Gilmore Insurance Agency, Inc. With this purchase the Gilmore Agency will officially become WIA’s first brick and mortar base in the Commonwealth.
“We are excited to establish WIA’s first office in the state of Massachusetts through our partnership with R.S. Gilmore,” states Rich Eknoian, CEO and Co-Founder of WIA. “Timothy and Mike have grown and developed a remarkable agency over the years, and we are confident that it will continue to flourish under WIA.”
A family owned and operated independent agency for over eight decades
Established in 1938 in North Attleboro, the R.S. Gilmore Insurance Agency was founded by Ralph S. Gilmore in a ‘small office overlooking East Street in downtown North Attleboro’. From this modest beginning, the independent agency has grown over the past eight decades to become one of the largest family-owned independent insurance agencies in Southeastern Massachusetts.
In 1961, after the death of Mr. Gilmore, brothers Robert J. Gilmore and Ralph A. Gilmore assumed leadership of the agency to carry on the family legacy. In 1999, the third generation of Gilmore’s took over the helm from his father and uncle. In 2008, Michael Michel joined the agency, going on to become a part-owned of the agency in 2012.
“Over 80 years ago, my grandfather established R.S. Gilmore Insurance Agency,” said Timothy Gilmore, a Principal at R.S. Gilmore. “From the beginning, the agency has been known for its commitment to customer service and with that, has been able to build a strong and growing customer base. We are looking forward to continuing this success in our next chapter of growth alongside WIA.”
The sale of the agency officially closed on December 1, 2020. No further terms of the transaction were provided.
More about World Insurance Associates in their own words
Headquartered in Tinton Falls, NJ, World Insurance Associates is a nationally ranked, full-service insurance brokerage providing world-class asset and lifestyle protection with risk management, insurance, and benefit consulting services for individuals and businesses. Since its founding in 2012, WIA has completed 85 acquisitions and serves its customers from 81 offices in 17 states.
