Two long-established local insurance agencies are settling into a partnership with Wheeler & Taylor Insurance of Berkshire County.

The Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency of Greenfield and the Mirick Insurance Agency of Shelburne Falls joined the Great Barrington-based firm on Sept. 1 to broaden their insurance offerings locally, regionally and nationally. Both Franklin County firms retain their name, staff, location and management.

“Everybody still gets the hometown service, because I’m still here,” said Brock A. Hines, president of Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency at 277 Federal St. in Greenfield.

“Everything is on schedule and we’re working with a lot of new companies,” said Patrick Shippee, president of Mirick Insurance Agency at 28 Bridge St. in Shelburne Falls.

J. Scott Rote, Wheeler & Taylor’s president, explained the merger grants the Franklin County agencies a broadened marketplace of insurance carriers and expands their commercial expertise, allowing for expanded product offerings.

“They are now divisions of Wheeler & Taylor,” he said. “I think it’s worked well.”

Shippee stressed that he and his wife, Carol, aren’t going anywhere and will remain active in Mirick’s management and operation. He said the merger simply offers more opportunity.

Hines, in his 41st year at Albert B. Allen Insurance, said the merger has strengthened every aspect of his business. He said he had the same staff for decades until the pandemic changed everything.

“If you ask me the main reason I’ve sold ... after COVID it was difficult to find people to work and that would stay for any length of time,” he said. “We were battling other agencies prior to the merger.”

Hines said he met with Wheeler & Taylor representatives and learned the company has the same values as his agency. This, he said, made the decision easy. He said the sign out front will remain unchanged for the time being until it eventually reads “Wheeler & Taylor.”

“That could be 2027. That could 2030,” he mentioned. “There’s no date on that.”

The Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, having been founded in 1925. The Mirick Insurance Agency was founded in 1980. Wheeler & Taylor, founded in 1871, is one of the country’s oldest continuously operated financial companies and has a network of offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, California and Nevada.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.