Iott Insurance Honored as "Best of the Best" Businesses in Saline at Chamber Banquet

Back in 2000, Brian Iott moved to York Township from Lenawee County and began looking for ways to get involved in the community and grow his insurance business.

One of his first stops was to the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce. A dozen years later, the Saline area “feels like home” to Iott and his wife, Kim, and his business was honored as “best of the best” in the community.

Iott Insurance, which has locations in Blissfield, Lambertville and Petersburg, is the winner of 2012 Business Enterprise Award by the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce and was honored at a banquet held at Stonebridge Golf Club Thursday night. It is owned by Brian Iott, Kurt Diver and Tim Miller.

Lining up to honor Iott Insurance were Congressman Tim Walberg, State Rep. Mark Ouimet, and Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell.

Walberg is no stranger to Iott Insurance. He got to know the business in Lenawee County when it was owned by Chuck Iott and Virg Diver.

“One of the hallmarks of the Iott agency has been to support the communities the business serves. And not only serving in their field of endeavors and serving local charities, but rolling up the sleeves and getting involved in the tough world of politics, and taking care of a community to make sure people are served in the best way possible,” Walberg said. “Saline has been one of the communities that has benefitted from that philosophy.”

He noted that Brian Iott has been active with the chamber of commerce, that Iott Insurance sponsors local events, like Saline Summerfest, and made reference to Iott’s service on the York Township Board.

Ouimet presented Iott Insurance with a tribute, signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, which had been read in the state house.

“One of the nice things about this is the fact you have generations involved in a family business. Small business, clearly, is the backbone of our state. But it’s even more than that. It’s the involvement that one generation teaches the other,” Ouimet said.

Driskell presented a proclamation on behalf of the city and chamber of commerce.

“We really appreciate everything Iott Insurance has done in this community. It has contributed in very many significant ways to make the community stronger,” Driskell said.

The Business Enterprise Award was presented by Richard Johnson, representing last year’s winner, Kyocera Unimerco. Iott called it a humbling experience.

“Moving to the community in 2000, I didn’t know what to expect, coming from smaller communities,” Iott said. “People here were so welcoming.”

Iott said his activity in the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce helped him integrate into the community. He thanked former chamber director Larry Osterling for his help, not only in promoting Iott Insurance, but in making the chamber a stronger organization that advocates for local business.

“Every business and organization comes with a plan. Larry had a plan and in 10 years, he grew the chamber (from 300 to 500 members),” Iott said.

Iott said the company continues to grow in Saline even without a building.

“Our success comes down to the way we communicate to our customers about the products we sell. We know insurance and we take the time to make sure our customers have the policy that is right for them,” Iott said. “Whenever someone picks up the phone to call us, we answer with a friendly and knowledgeable voice.”

Iott Insurance promotes little league baseball and soccer teams and sponsors major events like Summerfest.

“We try to do the right things to promote Saline and the surrounding townships,” Iott said.

Iott Insurance Agency dates back over 60 years to September 21, 1950, when Francis C. Iott became a licensed insurance agent.  A friend of Fran’s gave him the agency and Fran and his wife, Peg, ran the agency out of a small room in their home in Deerfield. 

 In 1962 Fran bought a small agency in the Village of Blissfield and he moved everything to that office. In 1971 Virgil Diver was brought on, and Fran and Virg grew the business as good friends. The following year in 1972 they added a second location in Petersburg, and hired another associate Charles (Chuck) A. Iott, one of Fran’s sons. Chuck headed the Petersburg office while Virg and Fran operated in the Blissfield office. Over the years Fran purchased many smaller agencies and this helped to grow the business. In 1990 Fran retired, Chuck & Virg became the owners of Francis C. Iott and Associates, Inc. and changed the name to Iott Insurance Agency, Inc. In 1993 Chuck and Virg expanded again, opening an office in Lambertville.  Virg retired in 2006 followed by Chuck in 2008.Iott Insurance is now owned by Brian Iott (one of Fran’s son), Kurt Diver (Virg’s son), who both joined the agency in 1988, and Timothy Miller, who joined the agency in 2006.

For more on Iott Insurance, visit www.iott.com or call 1-800-468-8214

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