About | VAST Insurance & Risk Management | Marquette, MI

About


We are a regional insurance and risk management firm originally founded in 1885 in Marquette, MI. We are a leader in benefits and commercial insurance ranging in size from small, main street businesses up to the largest employers in the region. We also specialize in personal insurance with an advanced model for Total Asset Protection going well beyond home and auto. Our firm specializes in several niche industries which include healthcare, surety, construction, manufacturing, professional liability, and transportation. VAST employs 60 associates and is located in downtown Marquette, servicing clients nationwide.

In 2016, we merged with Acrisure, LLC, a Grand Rapids based network of insurance agencies who deliver innovative, comprehensive, quality business solutions at a local, national, and international level. As one of the top 10 insurance brokers in the world, Acrisure’s size, scale, and depth of resources are born from celebrating and supporting the independent spirit and advancement of its Agency Partners: entrepreneurs dedicated to delivering creative, solution-oriented products for our clients.

Through this innovative and adaptive model, you will receive personalized service by a local team you know and trust; backed by a global community of industry specialists and insurance experts, all with one singular focus: You.

VAST Timeline

1885

Sidney Adams Real Estate, Insurance and Loans, 200 East Ridge Street

1894

301 South Front Street (303-305 building on South Front Street)

1900

Robert Peters, Fire Insurance Agent (purchased business from Sidney Adams)

1919

Robert T. Peters Insurance Agency (acquired father’s insurance business)

1933

Howard J. Larson joined the firm

1945

Entered into a partnership, name changed to Peters & Larson, Moved to 113 N. Front Street

1960

3 employees

1961

Howard H. Larson became a partner

1963

Wright & York agency purchased

1964

Pearce & Raikko agencies purchased

1964

Harold Raikko became a partner, name changed to Peters, Larson & Raikko

1969

Christine VanAbel joins the agency

1970

Purchased Marquette Firms: - Stickney Agency, Dolf Agency, Robertson Agency and North Michigan Agency

1970

9 full time, 2 part time employees

1972

William H. Weaver joins the agency

1973

Weaver becomes a partner, name changed to Larson, Raikko & Weaver, Inc.

1974

Munising branch established under the management of William M. Mazzali, named Mazzali Insurance

1975

William K. Hetrick & William A. Todd Jr. join the firm

1977

20 Employees

1977

James T. Healy Agency of Houghton purchased

1977

William K. Hetrick & William A. Todd Jr. named as partners

1978

Larson, Raikko & Weaver Employee Benefits, Inc. is established

1978

People State Agency purchased and merged with Mazzali Agency

1979

Moved to 300 South Front Street (we're still here today!)

1979

Purchased Buckingham Insurance Agency in Newberry and Malloy Insurance Agency in Manistique

1979

Garceau Insurance, St. Onge Insurance, Jennings Insurance were established

1982

Corporate name changed to Northern Underwriters, Inc.

1982

Danielson Insurance Agency established

1982

Teft Agency established in Traverse City

1987

Name changed to Larson, Hetrick and Weaver

1988

Employs 73 people (including all branch offices)

1988

Scott White joins the agency

1988

Vincent Rose appointed as president of Larson, Raikko & Weaver Employee Benefits, Inc.

1989

Beaudin and Beaudin in Menominee purchased

1990

Larson, Raikko and Weaver Employee Benefits, Inc. name changed to Northern Underwriters Employee Benefits, Inc.

1993

Northern Underwriters Insurance opened in Sault Ste Marie

1993

Scott White becomes a partner in the firm

1993

Betsy Robar joins the agency

1997

Sold Danielson Insurance, Garceau Insurance, Mazzali Insurance, Employee Benefits

1997

Christine VanAbel and Scott White named partners of Northern Underwriters, Inc. along with Bill Hetrick

1998

Name changed to Hetrick & Associates Insurance Agency

1998

Betsy Robar becomes a partner in the newly established Robar Life & Health LLC

2010

Name changed to VAST

2011

Pam Hillier, Tom Cousineau and Jay Hillier become partners in the firm

2011

Bill Hetrick retires from the firm

2011

Received Business Community Catalyst Award from the Marquette Community Foundation

2012

Received Distinguished Service Award from the Lake Superior Community Partnership

2012

34 employees

2015

Agency celebrates 130 year anniversary

2016

VAST becomes Acrisure Agency Partner

2017

City Insurance Agency merges with VAST and moves to 300 S. Front St.

2017

Received 2017 Business Leader Award from the Rotary Club of Marquette

2017

Best Practices Agency Designation (2007 - 2017)

2018

Recognized as a Top Insurance Workplace by Insurance Business America

2019

Best Practices Agency Designation (2007 - 2019)

2019

Recognized as Top Insurance Workplace by Insurance Business America

2019

Our office building at 300 S. Front St. renamed 'The Christine A. VanAbel Building" in honor of Chris VanAbel

2019

Chris VanAbel inducted into the Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame

2019

Chris VanAbel featured as an Elite Woman in the Insurance Industry by Insurance Business America

2020

Recognized as Top Insurance Workplace by Insurance Business America

2020

Best Practices Agency Designation (2007 - 2020)

2020

Recognized as Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance & Best Companies Group

2021

Best Practices Agency Designation (2007-2021)

2021

Recognized as Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance & Best Companies Group (2020-2021)

2021

Recognized as Top Insurance Workplace by Insurance Business America (2018-2021)

2022

Recognized as Top Insurance Workplace by Insurance Business America (2018-2022)

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Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash
Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash

The open enrollment period for 2024 individual and family health plans start November 1 and runs through January 15. Contact us at 906.228.7500 for an appointment to get started.

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