PropertyCasualty360 is proud to recognize the winners of the 2025 Agency of the Year Award: The Zebra and Gannon Associates Insurance. In this feature, we spotlight Gannon Associates Insurance. Click here to explore the winner’s profile for The Zebra.
In an era of consolidation and automation, Gannon Associates Insurance proves that independent agencies can not only compete but also lead by combining modern tools with timeless values. With more than 50 years of history and ten offices across Pennsylvania and New York, the full-service independent agency has built its success on a foundation of personal connection, deep local roots and a commitment to doing the right thing for clients.
“We like to say that we work for our clients, not the insurance companies,” said Kali Grove, marketing manager at Gannon Associates. That philosophy drives every aspect of the business, from how it designs technology solutions to how it shows up for the communities it serves.
A half-century of serving clients
Gannon Associates was founded in 1973 by Max Gannon Jr., who launched the business out of his kitchen with a trunk full of policy documents after his previous employer eliminated its agent network. Over the decades, Gannon Associates grew steadily through strategic expansion, acquisitions and long-term client relationships.
Today, the agency employs about 100 insurance professionals and partners with more than 85 carriers to provide a full range of personal, commercial, life, health and group benefits products. Despite its growth, Gannon Associates has stayed grounded in its original mission: to protect individuals, families and businesses through tailored solutions and exceptional service.
“There are certain things we still do the way they were done in 1973 because it better serves our clients,” said Grove. “When you call here, you’re always going to get a human. We don’t have an automated system, not even voicemail.”
Still, the insurance industry has changed dramatically over the past two decades, with clients expecting the same convenience and accessibility they get from other digital services. Gannon Associates embraced that shift by building a mobile app and client portal that has appealed especially to younger clients, said Grove. The tools give policyholders 24/7 access to key insurance functions, from reviewing policies and downloading ID cards to filing claims and requesting certificates of insurance. The agency emphasizes that innovation should never replace the human touch but should enhance it.
“It’s about meeting people where they are,” Grove explained. “People can come into our office, they can call us, we can do everything online, or we can do it all through text.”
Proactive risk management and loss control
Gannon Associates goes beyond the traditional role of an insurance provider by offering in-house loss control services — a feature that sets it apart from many independent agencies. Its dedicated loss-control team partners with commercial clients across industries such as manufacturing, contracting, agriculture and nonprofit services to reduce exposures before they lead to claims.
That process includes on-site evaluations, safety audits, employee training programs and customized risk management strategies. The result is a measurable reduction in claims frequency and often more favorable underwriting terms for clients.
“Everyone’s happier when there are fewer claims — our clients, our carriers and us,” said Grove.
As insurance markets continue to evolve, Gannon Associates remains focused on staying ahead of trends that impact both personal and commercial clients. The agency continually invests in staff development, emerging technology and new product offerings to ensure it remains competitive and responsive.
Among its current initiatives are enhanced training for producers and account managers on cyber risks and evolving commercial exposures, as well as new benefit structures such as Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) for small employers seeking flexible health insurance solutions. The firm also maintains strong relationships with its carrier partners, giving it the ability to find placement options even in challenging market conditions.
“We have a unique amount of non-sales staff whose job is not necessarily to bring in new business or even help renew business, but rather help on the back end through training, finding new opportunities or loss control,” said Grove. “Having those kinds of staff members allows us to make sure that our team is a well-oiled machine, ready to help our clients as best as possible. We always try to stay at least one step ahead.”
At its core, Gannon Associates’ success comes down to culture. The agency promotes collaboration across departments, from producers and service teams to claims and administrative staff. This ensures every client interaction — whether it is a routine policy question or a major claim — reflects the same standard of care.
Gannon’s commitment to its clients and its team was tested during the devastating 2011 Athens, Pennsylvania, flood, when the agency’s own service center was submerged. Despite the damage, employees quickly set up temporary operations and worked remotely with laptops to ensure clients received claim inspections and payments without delay, even while some experienced losses of their own. Agency management even provided personal housing for carrier inspectors when hotels were completely booked with displaced citizens, allowing for quick claims responses.
The experience reinforced the firm’s philosophy that an agent’s role is not just to provide coverage, but to stand beside clients through every challenge.
As it enters its sixth decade, Gannon Associates continues to evolve while staying true to the values that made it successful: honesty, reliability and personal connection. Future plans include expanding digital capabilities, strengthening the agency’s commercial risk management services and deepening its community partnerships.
Beyond its business operations, Gannon Associates is woven into the fabric of the communities it serves. The agency’s staff live and work in the same towns as their clients, creating a culture where community service isn’t an afterthought; it’s part of the company’s identity.
The agency supports a wide range of local initiatives, including youth sports sponsorships, school fundraisers, and nonprofit causes. Programs like “Kick for Cash” — a halftime field goal challenge at high school football games — give students and schools a chance to win cash prizes while promoting local engagement. Gannon employees also volunteer regularly for local charities such as CHOP Out Hunger and regional food drives, and many serve on local boards and civic organizations.
This deep community involvement not only reflects Gannon’s values but also builds trust and loyalty, said Grove.
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