Dexter, Missouri - County Wide Insurance Agency, with locations in Dexter and Advance, has grown by merging with their long-time partner, Stafford & Stafford Insurance of Harrisonville, Missouri.  

Partners for the past 15-years, Alan Hedrick of County Wide and Darrin Stafford of Stafford and Stafford have operated their agencies independently and have shared ownership of Byrum Culp Davis and Dell Insurance Agency for the past 12 years.

“Darrin and I met at an insurance meeting in 1996 and became instant friends,” said Hedrick. “We’ve worked together in all areas of insurance from client policies and agency technology to service at our state association.”  

As the local insurance scene continues to face challenges from national insurance companies, this trio of agencies has strengthened their position by combining their business interests. To improve service, broaden company selection, and create more efficiency, the merger of the agencies just made sense. Hedrick and Stafford were similar in many aspects of their operations, and this reorganization will streamline their business. 

This merger delivers many positives to Stafford and Stafford clients at all their locations. Many clients coming from County Wide and Byrum Culp Davis and Dell will find great service because of the multiple insurance markets that they are now able to access as part of Stafford and Stafford.

Stafford and Stafford Insurance is part of Leavitt Group, one of the largest privately-held insurance brokerages in the nation, and provides clients with greater insurance market access and a wide range of value-added services and resources. Clients receive employee benefits solutions, property and casualty insurance, risk management, and other services. Clients also benefit from the consultative approach to employee benefits and risk management found within the culture of each office and the unique flexibility that comes with local, on-the-ground agency owners. For more information about Leavitt Group, please visit www.leavitt.com. 

Pictured front row from left to right are Cherie Wallace, Jennifer Laird, Kara Gibbins, Laura McClain, Stacey Smith, Sharon McCord, and Kay Davison.

Back row from left to right are Russ Lacy, David Ellinghouse, and Alan Hedrick.