Our Story
When DeWitt Insurance Company was founded in 1956, Edgar A. DeWitt Sr. made customer service and personal attention the cornerstone of his company philosophy. A family atmosphere and unparalleled insurance experience made the Springfield office of DeWitt Insurance the first choice for many local businesses and families as they sought to meet their insurance needs.
For over 60 years, the agents and staff of DeWitt Insurance have provided a high level of service to their clients through their extensive experience in the insurance industry and their commitment to client satisfaction. Most of all, DeWitt Insurance strives to continue to foster the founding principles on which the company first built its reputation – client satisfaction, personal service and proper coverage at a competitive price.
1956
When DeWitt Insurance Company was founded in 1956, Edgar A. DeWitt, Sr., of Effingham County, Georgia, made customer service and personal attention the cornerstone of his company philosophy. He began selling Life Insurance products that provided the promise of financial protection through insurance and other related benefits that serve the entire family.
1965
DeWitt expanded into the Property and Casualty business with their appointment to SAFECO Insurance.
1970
DeWitt relocated from Springfield, Georgia and into their new building in Rincon, Georgia. A family atmosphere and unparalleled insurance experience made the new office of DeWitt Insurance the first choice for many local businesses and families. Mr. Edgar’s son, Edgar A. “Al” DeWitt, Jr. after serving his time in the Navy, landed a job with Fireman’s Fund in San Diego, California as an Insurance Underwriter.
1972
As Mr. Edgar continued to build the company, Al and his wife Lenda, moved back to Effingham County. It was time to join and help his father with its growing family of insureds.
1978
Al and Lenda, purchased the agency. Al expanded service offerings and with the additions of numerous insurance providers, it allowed the company to capitalize on its status as an independent agency.
1996
Al designed and began building their three facility office complex on the corner of Highway 21 and Chimney Road in Rincon.
In February, DeWitt welcomed C. DeWayne Ladner, originally from Necaise, Mississippi, as their newest agent. DeWayne was insurance licensed with Massachusetts Indemnity Life Insurance Company and security licensed with First American National Securities. DeWayne opened up the opportunity, in the agency, for financial services i.e. retirement solutions using mutual funds, IRA’s and annuities. The agency became a full-circle broker in insurance and financial services for their clients.
1997
In January Al and Lenda moved into their new and final home located at 5877 Hwy 21 South. It was the Complex that Al dreamed of building on Lenda's Birthday lot. A few years earlier, while they were driving Hwy 21, Al ask Lenda, what did she want for her birthday and they just happen to be driving passed a undeveloped two acre lot and her response was, why don't you build us a new office building on that vacant lot. Not only did he build DeWitt Insurance a new home, but design it to house two additional buildings. It became, Southbend Office Complex.
After the untimely death of Al in April, Lenda became the Owner and Principal. Her ability to lead the agency continued to give employees and carriers the confidence that the agency would continue and rise.
In June, DeWayne became the Life and Health Manager and Vice President of the company.
2002
In April, Lenda retired and sold the company to DeWayne.
In October, DeWayne started a branch office 20 miles from his home town community in Diamondhead, Mississippi. His father, Clifford and mother, Mary, managed this agency.
2003
In January, DeWitt acquired the independent Allstate Agency of Rincon, Georgia and added Charles Williamson, former Owner and Principal, to the agency’s staff.
In July, DeWitt acquired the Larry Shearouse Insurance Agency, an independent agency of Springfield, Georgia.
2004
In January, DeWitt acquired the insurance division of Region Bank, The Coastal Bank of Pooler, Georgia and added their staff to DeWitt.
In December, DeWitt acquired another independent agency, Ryan Lee Insurance Agency of Diamondhead, Mississippi to add to the Mississippi operations.
2005
In March, DeWayne purchased Mississippi’s future and final address at 4338 Park Ten Drive, Diamondhead.
In August, the Mississippi branch faced its greatest challenge after Hurricane Katrina made land fall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast between Bay St. Louis and Waveland just ten miles away from their office. A thankful DeWayne was overwhelmed with the local support and response from Effingham County residence, business owners and churches.
2006
In April, DeWayne separated the Georgia and Mississippi operations, as it was time for the Diamondhead agency to stand on its own. Clifford and Mary assumed the helm while adding Joseph Ladner, DeWayne’s brother, for helping with the magnitude of hurricane claims, inspections and customer needs.
In June, DeWayne acquired Stokes Insurance, an independent agency, located on Northside Drive in Statesboro. This Agency was their first branch office in Georgia.
2007
In July, DeWitt moved the Stokes Insurance office to Piedmont Loop and changed the name to DeWitt Insurance Agency of Statesboro.
2012
In October, DeWitt moved their Statesboro office to Hwy 80
2017
In February, DeWitt moved to their final Statesboro location on Gentilly Road and share a building with Vision Financial Group of Georgia (www.Vision-GA.com). DeWayne co-founded Vision with Certified Financial Planners, Scott Bass and Talbert Edenfield, to help DeWitt’s clients plan their future through financial investing and retirement planning.
In August, DeWitt acquired Darley Insurance Agency Inc., an independent Allstate Agency in Statesboro, Georgia. DeWayne welcomed F. Bryan Darley Jr., former Owner and Principal, and Marie Brown CSR, to the agency’s staff. Bryan will serve as the Statesboro Principal while working with Angela Long, Branch manager and longtime senior agent.