Lawley Expands with Farm & Crop Insurance Specialists Under Southcott Agency Merger
WNY’s Largest Regional Insurance & Employee Benefits Broker Brings the Southcott Agency, Inc. of Albion, NY Under the Lawley Umbrella
Lawley expanded its WNY presence by merging with The Southcott Agency in Albion, NY. The new relationship became official in January of 2022. Mike Southcott, owner of The Southcott Agency, his wife, and two employees, will join the Lawley organization and eventually merge into Lawley’s Batavia office. The merger was orchestrated by Southcott and Lawley leadership, including Lawley Principals, Christopher Ross and Michael Lawley.
The Southcott Agency is known in the farm and agriculture world for their industry specific risk management programs. They have built and grown their client base with hands on experience in the farm and agribusiness industry, adapting to the growing risk profile associated with these types of organizations. The agribusiness and crop industries are more complex today than they have ever been. Bringing the Southcott Agency into the Lawley family enables Lawley to have additional farm and agribusiness professionals on the team with hopes to provide specialized advice for clients in this industry.
“We work everyday to protect our clients with customized insurance coverage, appropriate risk strategy, and industry specialists who know their areas inside and out,” says Christopher Ross, Lawley Principal. “The Southcott team brings over 35 years of insurance experience in the farm and agribusiness industry. We know that this expertise will help current and future clients stay ahead of the curve when it comes to being protected from risk.”
The Southcott Agency and Lawley are both family-owned and operated, independent insurance brokers with similar core values. Folding into Lawley gives the Southcott team the ability to use national resources of a Top 50 Insurance Broker, while maintaining independence, a focus on community service, and delivering a superior client experience to their clients.
“We’ve known the Lawley agency for many years, with their Batavia office a few miles down the road from our office in Albion. They’re great people and they care about providing the best options for their clients when it comes to risk management. We’re excited to bring our expertise to the Lawley team and also give our clients the expanded choices and resources they deserve under this new merger,” says Mike Southcott, founder of The Southcott Agency.
“We are excited to grow our business in Western New York and beyond by partnering with the experienced team at The Southcott Agency,” stated Mike Lawley, Lawley Principal. “We look forward to working together to bring people in that community even more options when it comes to protecting their risk.”
ABOUT THE SOUTHCOTT AGENCY, INC.
The Southcott Agency Inc is an insurance agency located in Albion, NY. They specialize in farm, agribusiness, crop insurance is our focus.
ABOUT MIKE SOUTHCOTT
Mike began as an insurance agent in 1985 and decided to open his own agency, The Southcott Agency Inc. in 1995 that would specialize in agricultural insurance.
After receiving a B.S. in Agricultural Economic from Cornell University in 1981, Mike has been a dedicated student of the insurance business. Mike earned his Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial consultant degrees from the American College and his Agri-business and Farm Insurance Specialist degree from the Insurance Skills Center of California. He is the author of two books that focus on the complex world of insurance and the intricacies of protecting farm, crop, and agribusiness clients.
Mike and his wife, Barbara, reside in Albion, New York.
