Agency Partnerships & Growth

Preserving what you’ve built. Accelerating what’s next.

Why partner with Diversified Insurance Group?

At Diversified Insurance Group, we believe successful partnerships are built on shared values, mutual trust, and a commitment to long-term growth. When agency owners choose to partner with DIG, they gain the resources of a larger organization while maintaining the relationships, culture, and reputation that have made their agency successful.

Benefits of partnering with DIG include:

Our goal is simple: help agency owners protect what they’ve built while creating new opportunities for their employees, clients, and communities.

Agencies DIG has partnered with.

Russell & Schrader Insurance Agency traces its roots to a long tradition of independent insurance service in Charlotte and Eaton County. The agency’s story is tied closely to the Schrader family, whose involvement in insurance can be found throughout local business records dating back to the mid-twentieth century.

By the 1950s, the Schrader name was already established in Charlotte’s insurance industry through the Schrader-Huber Agency, which operated from offices at 109 South Cochran Avenue. Throughout the following decades, the agency evolved, appearing in local directories as the B & W Schrader Agency and continuing to build a reputation for serving area families, farms, and businesses.

The agency’s reach expanded further during the 1970s and 1980s, with operations connected to several Charlotte locations, including offices on East Lawrence Avenue. This period helped establish Russell & Schrader as a recognizable and respected name within the community.

A major milestone occurred in 1993 when Russell & Schrader Insurance Agency established operations at 219 East Lawrence Avenue. At that time, the agency was led by Stephen B. Shook alongside team members Vicki Paski and Craig Beachnaw. The firm initially leased the historic property before purchasing it in 1995, creating a permanent home for the agency.
Under the ownership of Stephen and Susan Shook, Russell & Schrader Insurance Agency continued to grow while maintaining the personalized service that independent agencies are known for. From its East Lawrence Avenue location, the agency built lasting relationships with individuals, families, and businesses throughout the region.

Today, the history of Russell & Schrader reflects a commitment to local service, community involvement, and independent insurance expertise. Through decades of change, the agency has remained focused on helping clients find the right protection while preserving the personal relationships that have defined its reputation.

Both Charlotte Insurance Agency and Russell & Schrader Insurance Agency share a common thread: a long-standing commitment to serving Charlotte and the surrounding communities. Their histories represent generations of local leadership, trusted advice, and dedication to protecting the people and businesses that have helped shape Eaton County.

The history of Charlotte Insurance Agency stretches back more than 150 years, making it one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in the Charlotte community. According to agency records, its roots date to 1869, with the business adopting the name Charlotte Insurance Agency in 1928.

A significant chapter in the agency’s history began in 1926 when Elva Sylvester, widow of local businessman H. Roy Sylvester, partnered with Mark S. Johnson of Kalkaska to acquire the agency from J. Max Allen and Glenn A. Lake. At the time, the agency operated from offices at 128½ South Cochran Avenue in downtown Charlotte.

In 1928, Byron F. Brown, a former business manager at Olivet College, purchased the agency and relocated to Charlotte. Brown would go on to lead Charlotte Insurance Agency for two decades, establishing a reputation for trusted insurance guidance and community involvement. During his ownership, the agency continued operating from 128½ South Cochran before moving to 139 South Cochran by the mid-1940s.

Following Brown’s retirement in 1948, ownership passed to Stuart Bearup, who guided the agency for nearly four decades. Under his leadership, Charlotte Insurance Agency remained a familiar presence in downtown Charlotte while continuing to serve generations of local families and businesses.

In 1965, L. Daryl Baker joined Charlotte Insurance Agency under Bearup’s mentorship, beginning a relationship that would help shape the agency’s future. Two years later, in 1967, Baker became a business partner, and together the two helped guide the agency through a period of continued growth and service to the Charlotte community. When Bearup retired in 1986, Baker assumed full ownership of the agency, continuing its tradition of personalized service and local expertise. Baker remained a leader of the agency for more than three decades and spent over 50 years helping clients and businesses protect what mattered most before beginning his transition from the business in 2017.

As the agency grew, it expanded beyond its downtown storefront and eventually established operations at 313 Lansing Street, where Charlotte Insurance Agency continued serving the community through the late twentieth century and into the modern era.

Throughout its history, Charlotte Insurance Agency has remained deeply connected to the Charlotte community, evolving alongside the city while maintaining its commitment to personalized service, trusted relationships, and local expertise. Its longevity reflects a legacy built by dedicated owners and employees who helped generations of clients protect what matters most.

Founded in 1973 by Alan Stark, The Stark Agency became a trusted independent insurance agency serving Lansing and communities throughout Michigan. For more than five decades, the agency earned a reputation for providing personalized insurance solutions and building lasting relationships with individuals, families, and businesses.

As a veteran-owned agency, The Stark Agency was built on a foundation of service, integrity, and commitment to its clients. Operating as an independent agency allowed the team to represent multiple insurance carriers, giving clients access to coverage options tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.

Through the years, the agency remained a family-operated business, with additional generations helping guide its continued growth and success. The Stark Agency expanded its offerings across personal, commercial, life, and health insurance while maintaining the personalized approach that distinguished it within the Lansing community.

Known for its local roots and dedication to client service, The Stark Agency established a legacy of helping Michigan residents and businesses protect what matters most while fostering strong relationships throughout the communities it served.

Founded in the mid-1980s, Phillip R. Davis & Associates has been a trusted independent insurance agency serving Portage, Kalamazoo, and surrounding Michigan communities for more than three decades. The agency built its reputation by helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate their insurance needs with personalized guidance and exceptional customer service.

As an independent agency, Phillip R. Davis & Associates has long focused on providing clients with choice and flexibility. By representing multiple insurance carriers, the agency has been able to tailor coverage solutions based on each client’s unique circumstances rather than limiting them to a single provider’s offerings. This client-first approach contributed to strong customer relationships and long-term client retention.

Throughout its history, the agency has remained committed to the values of integrity, reliability, and personalized service. Serving both personal and commercial insurance clients, Phillip R. Davis & Associates became known throughout Southwest Michigan as a trusted local resource for insurance expertise and risk management solutions. Its longstanding presence in the Portage community reflects decades of dedication to protecting the people, businesses, and organizations it serves.

Founded in Michigan, Big Lake Insurance was established with a mission to provide personalized insurance guidance backed by local expertise and a commitment to helping Michigan residents protect what matters most.

Drawing inspiration from the state’s strong communities and entrepreneurial spirit, the agency built its business around customer relationships, clear communication, and tailored insurance solutions.
As an independent insurance provider, Big Lake Insurance focuses on helping individuals and families find coverage that fits their unique needs. By offering access to a variety of insurance options, the agency emphasizes choice, education, and personalized service, ensuring clients understand their coverage and feel confident in their insurance decisions.

Based in the Lansing area, Big Lake Insurance has developed a reputation for being a trusted local resource and advocate for its clients. The agency’s approach centers on building long-term relationships, providing ongoing policy reviews, and helping clients navigate life’s changing circumstances with confidence. Through its dedication to service and its deep roots in Michigan, Big Lake Insurance has become a valued part of the communities it serves.

Based in Lansing, Michigan, Elevate Insurance Group was established to provide individuals, families, and businesses with personalized insurance solutions backed by knowledgeable guidance and responsive service. The agency offers a comprehensive range of insurance products, including personal, commercial, property, and casualty coverage, helping clients protect the assets and investments that matter most.

As an independent insurance agency, Elevate Insurance Group focuses on finding coverage tailored to each client’s unique needs. By providing access to a variety of insurance options and carriers, the agency emphasizes choice, education, and customized solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. This commitment allows clients to make informed decisions while receiving coverage that aligns with their goals and budget.

Serving clients throughout Michigan and beyond, Elevate Insurance Group has built its business around accessibility, industry expertise, and long-term client relationships. From homeowners and auto insurance to commercial coverage solutions, the agency is dedicated to delivering reliable protection and exceptional service while helping clients navigate an increasingly complex insurance landscape.

Founded in 2007, BNC Insurance Agency has proudly served individuals, families, and businesses throughout Michigan with a personalized approach to insurance. Based in Sylvan Lake, Michigan, the agency was built on the belief that insurance should be simple, understandable, and tailored to each client’s unique needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions.

As an independent insurance agency, BNC Insurance Agency provides clients with access to multiple insurance carriers, allowing its team to compare coverage options and recommend solutions that align with each client’s goals, budget, and risk profile. The agency’s commitment to personalized service and one-on-one consultation has helped establish strong, long-lasting relationships with the individuals and businesses it serves.

Over the years, BNC Insurance Agency has developed a reputation for knowledgeable guidance, responsive customer service, and a client-first philosophy. Offering a wide range of personal and commercial insurance products, the agency has remained dedicated to helping clients protect what matters most while providing the flexibility and expertise that come with independent agency representation.

Located in the heart of Oakland County, BNC Insurance Agency has become a trusted local resource known for delivering customized insurance solutions and maintaining a strong commitment to the communities it serves throughout Michigan.

Founded in 2005 by Lee Brown, Baroda Group was established in Lansing, Michigan, with a mission to simplify the insurance process and help individuals, families, and businesses make informed coverage decisions. Since its inception, the agency has focused on providing personalized guidance and solutions tailored to each client’s unique financial situation, lifestyle, and insurance needs.

As an independent insurance agency, Baroda Group built its reputation on offering clients access to a variety of insurance products and carriers. The agency specialized in individual and family health insurance, Medicare solutions, life insurance, dental and vision coverage, and group benefits, helping clients navigate an increasingly complex insurance marketplace with confidence and clarity.

Under the leadership of Lee Brown, Baroda Group became known for its client-focused approach, emphasizing education, transparency, and personalized service. The agency’s team worked closely with clients to explain coverage options, identify cost-effective solutions, and ensure they understood the benefits and protections available to them.

Headquartered in Lansing, Baroda Group served clients throughout Michigan and earned a strong reputation for helping individuals and families find affordable, customized insurance solutions. The agency’s commitment to service, innovation, and long-term client relationships established it as a trusted resource within the communities it served.