Three Rivers Insurance, Inc., was established January 1, 1989, when McCarroll-Diener Agency merged with Triangle Bar Agency. The following is a brief history of those establishments:
McCARROLL-DIENER INSURANCE AGENCY
In the fall of 1919, Ben F. McCarroll purchased several small insurance agencies in Payette, New Plymouth, and Fruitland and formed the B.F. McCarroll Insurance Agency. In October of 1923, H.K. Dent, founder of a company that later became known as Safeco Insurance Companies, convinced Mr. McCarroll to represent what was then called General of America Insurance Company. Other companies that Mr. McCaroll represented at that time, like the Hartford and Reliance, canceled their agency contracts when they learned of the new association with General.
Mr. McCarroll operated the agency alone until September of 1945. It was then that his son John R. (Bob) McCarroll, joined the firm. A few years later in 1949 Mr. McCarroll, the founder of the agency passed away. Then in 1955 another son by the name of Mark McCarroll joined the agency. On July 1, 1958 Mark purchased the interest of Bob McCarroll and became the sole owner of the agency.
Mark continued to operate the agency alone until June 1, 1980 when Hugh Diener, a longtime resident of Payette and a former officer with the Idaho First national Bank (currently US Bank) joined the firm. At that time, the agency changed its name to McCarroll-Diener Agency. In January of 1983 they purchased the Gist & Powell Agencies of Fruitland and New Plymouth, Idaho and then to complete their agency they also added the Mountain West Agency of Fruitland in November of 1985.
TRIANGLE BAR INSURANCE AGENCY
The Triangle Bar Agency originated in 1908 as the Fitch Realty Company which was founded by Mr. Bert R. Fitch. That company originally sold real estate only, later they added the selling of insurance as a side business. Mr. Fitch’s original insurance company appointment was with The American Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Fitch closed his agency prior to the start of World War I to become a dry land farmer in the Dry Buck area, which is west of Banks, Idaho.
In 1928, Neil R. Fitch, son of B.R. Fitch, joined the Fitch Realty Company. Fitch later discontinued the real estate business and focused solely on the insurance and bond side of the business.
In 1951, Jay D. Fitch, son of Neil, joined the Fitch Agency. Jay later purchased his father’s interest in the agency and subsequently renamed it the Jay D. Fitch Agency Insurance, Inc.
On November 1, 1970 Mr. Gene M. Gray, after returning from serving his country as a Captain in the United State Marine Corps in the Republic of Vietnam, purchased the Jay D. Fitch Agency. In 1971 renamed it the Triangle Bar Agency.
Middleton Insurance Agency
Mr. David Gray started working with TRI in October of 1994 following his graduation from Albertson College. Initially the idea was to continue to learn the business under the tutelage of Gene Gray and Hugh Diener and eventually run the corporation upon their retirement. However, a few months later the opportunity arose to buy “a small book of business” from a captive only company and locate it in the community of Middleton, Idaho. Mr. Gray continued a brokering association with TRI but ran the business independently for the following 7 years.
Middleton Insurance officially merged with TRI in the summer of 2001 with the hiring of Michael S. Holcomb. Mike, also a graduate from Albertson College and Payette High School had been working in the finance sector prior to his employment with TRI. His role was to manage and grow the Middleton office. David, thus, moved to the Payette office to familiarize himself with the day-to-day operations of the corporation.
Agency West Insurance
July 1, 2004, Three Rivers Insurance expanded with the official purchase of Agency West Insurance in 2007. Agency West at the time was owned by Jack and Pamela Barnes and had history to the 1940’s. Originally opened in Caldwell under the name of Glaiser-Harris, the name was altered a few times over the years before Mr. Barnes and his partner Donna Dillon incorporated and changed the name to Agency West.
We are so excited to have you as part of the Three Rivers Insurance family. We take great pride in our agency, community, and clients. As an Independent Agent we offer choice, provide a lasting relationship and are local to your community. But what does that really mean? Can't other agents say the same thing about their business? Here is how we are different:
Choice: As an independent agent, we offer a choice of multiple insurance carriers, coverages, price, and more. Our focus is to find the insurance coverage that best suit your unique needs and gives you the best options. In addition, we know you have a choice when selecting a local independent agent. We want to continue to show how we earn your trust through our regular communication, personal relationships, and community involvement. We want you to be a part of our agency and join us in having some fun!
Relationships: To us, service means you will know who our staff members are – and not just the usual run of the mill insurance stuff. You will know about them as people and we want to know the same about you. So, when you call you will know who you are talking to! We will also be available in the event of a claim. Being independent we work for you, not the insurance companies. We will be there to make sure your interests are protected and not forgotten.
Local: When most people say they are local, they mean they have an office in your community. While that is true of us, when we say we are local we mean we are a part of your community. We are involved with local charities and organizations, like 4H, FFA & the local schools that benefit where we live. We believe that if we put our time and money where it matters the most, we all benefit.
Again, thank you for entrusting Three Rivers Insurance with your insurance. We are honored you have chosen us to help protect your family, business, and personal assets.