LOCAL INSURANCE OFFICES MERGE

Cape Insurance Agency Inc. and Giddens & Johnson Agency Insurance Service have merged operations and will be operating under the Capital Insurance & Associates name at 107 S. Broadview.

Loy Welker, president of Cape Insurance, will be president of the new firm. Al Giddens, president of Giddens & Johnson, will be secretary-treasurer. Other officers of the new company are Bill Heaton and Tim Kelley, both vice presidents.

"This merger will give people more options and premium selections," said Welker. "We have more companies, more premium choices, and can offer every type of insurance life, health, accident, property and commercial. We're looking forward to the association."

"We have also added a new company to our list," said Giddens. "We have been appointed agent for Cincinnati Insurance Co."

Other companies included on the Capital Insurance list include C&A, American States, State Auto Mutual, General Accident, St. Paul Insurance, Hartford, Trans-America, Lititz Mutual, Farmers Alliance and Equity Mutual.

"In conjunction with the merger, we hope to start a new addition to our building this week," said Welker. "We have a 2,000-square-foot building at 107 S. Broadview, which currently houses Cape Insurance. We'll be adding another 1,400 square feet."

The new organization employs a dozen people.

Welker and Larry Haertling founded Cape Insurance Agency in 1969.

"At that time it was Cape Realty and Insurance," said Welker.

The firm merged with Hahs-Stiegemeyer in 1978, and became Cape Insurance Agency in 1984 following the purchase of Colonial Insurance Group. Four years later, in 1988, Simmons and Williams Insurance Co. merged with Cape Insurance.

Giddens & Johnson Agency Insurance Services came into being in 1983 when Giddens and Jack F. Johnson purchased the Goodson Insurance Agency from George Goodson. The Goodson agency had been founded in 1945.

Ken Johnson joined the firm later, but has since opened his own company. Giddens later acquired the Johnson interest in the firm. Giddens and Johnson moved to 416 S. Kingshighway in 1987.