The corporate office of Town & Country Insurance is located in Finlayson, Minn., population 315. The agency also operates branch offices in Mora, Hinckley and Marshall, Barnum, Russell and Hanley Falls, all small, rural towns in the North Star State.

It may come as a surprise, then, to learn that its book of business includes $21 million in premiums — nearly all of which are written in person.

Town & Country, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, currently boasts a staff of 26. The agency sells about 50% personal lines, 30% commercial lines and about 20% Life & Health products. "Our ideal client is someone who cares about their insurance program," says agency owner Nancy Pogatchnik. "We don't sell minimum limits on a policy. People say, 'I want you to take care of it. Write it for me.' Most people don't really know much about insurance."