S.B. Insurance & Company Inc.

By Cindy Ladage

S.B. Insurance & Company Inc. has been in their current location at 115 N. Springfield Street since 2022, but their history in the Virden Community goes way back. On their website they share, “SB Insurance & Company can trace our history going back to 1916 with the purchase of E. Pat Stapleton Insurance. From there, in 1988 Phil Brooks established Smith Brown Life Inc. With our roots firmly planted in the Virden, Springfield, and surrounding areas, we have grown from a small agency to a trusted partner in insurance solutions. Our journey has always been fueled by our commitment to securing futures and building lasting relationships.”

Joe Byington, licensed agent for S.B Insurance said, “SB started in 2015, with Phil Brooks originally, and Nick Ratterman and I bought in in 2022.”

“My backstory,” Joe said, “is I started out with Farmers Insurance in 2015, moved to Allstate in 2018, and have been here since 2022.  Nick has been in insurance since 2008 and he came from a benefits office.”

“A mutual friend got the three of us together,” Joe said about how they connected to form SB Company & Insurance, Inc.

Before their Springfield Street address, they were at the current Prairieland Ambulance site.  The new space they share with Advanced Eye Care is bright and spacious, providing enough room for the staff of seven, with five in the office and two working remotely. Besides Phil Brooks, Joe Byington, Nick Ratterman, Denisha Brethorst, Denny Stapleton, Doug Mayfield, and Savanna Tighe are part of the SB team. Denny handles service and quoting while Denisha handles insurance claims and follows up with adjusters. Both Doug and Savanna are agents who work remotely.

The big benefit that SB Insurance offers is selection.  “We specialize in property and casualty home, auto and commercial and life insurance, anything other than medical,” Joe added.

With several different insurance companies under the SB umbrellas, they have the benefit of finding the best rates, coverage and policy to fit your needs. “We are considered an independent insurance agency. We can sell multiple carriers, “We have direct contracts currently with Auto-Owners, Erie Insurance, Travelers, National General, and Columbia Mutual, to name a few, in addition to having access to other markets, so we can typically find an insurance policy for most.”

Joe said that today’s economy is a “Hard market” with most insurance companies having a hard time because so many companies have been shutting down, and there is a lot of influx in businesses. The fact that SB can customize a policy for their clients puts them in the driver’s seat.  “It is like a variety of offers, the more arrows you have in your quiver, the better,” Joe said.

When looking at insurance, Joe advised shoppers to always, “Use an agent, rather than go to directories. We need to be licensed and insurance sites can be very hard to navigate.”

For those owning property, Joe said that homeowners will vary depending on many factors like the square footage of the home, the age of the roof and more.  Working with your agent, Joe recommends each year meeting with him or her and going over any changes that may affect a policy. A new roof may mean a discount, deductibles may need updated.  He said, even if nothing changes, it is important to check in at least once a year with your agent.

Because everyone’s needs are different, Joe said, “Everyone’s policy is like a fingerprint, no one’s will be the same.”

Thinking of what you need on their website they spell it out, “At SB Insurance & Company, we’ve dedicated ourselves to weaving this thread of protection and assurance into the lives of our clients. In the ever-evolving tapestry of life, insurance serves as a steadfast thread that binds moments, dreams, and aspirations.”

SB Insurance & Company, Inc. works with the local community giving back.  “We are always looking for the opportunity to give back.  We have a golf outing and the first year, 2022, we chose the Education Center for the Visually Impaired to benefit. We also fill over 100 stockings for the local breakfast with Santa.”

Since then, they have supported North Mac’s FFA, and this year they selected Virden Parks Initiative to benefit from the fund raiser. While the office is in Virden, both Joe and Nick hail from different parts of the state.  “I’m from Sterling, Illinois, played football for Illinois College, then settled in Springfield. Nick is from Rochester and lives in Sherman. Phil lives on Springfield’s west side.”

Their community affiliation is strong. While they have clients from all over the state of Illinois, Joe said, “We keep everything local, we are community driven.”

With a Virden office, they are thriving in the local community, enjoying small town values and supporting the local citizens in the community where their company in the past, and now in the present continues to grow.

Open Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 the office is open on Friday from 8:30 until 4:00. Call or text 217-965-3081 for more information.  You can find out more on their website at http://sbinsuranceco.com, or log onto their Facebook page.