History of Charles J. Sellers & Co.

Charles J. Sellers & Co. was founded in 1920 by Charles J. Sellers and his wife, Pearl M. Sellers.  Mr. Sellers was a pioneer in the distribution of low-cost group insurance, first writing insurance by payroll deduction for the employees of the City of Buffalo and the County of Erie beginning in 1937.

In 1941, Mr. Sellers started writing insurance programs endorsed by Medical Societies.  The first written was the Medical Society of the County of Erie on March 17, 1941. Mr. Sellers added to low cost and sound product design a unique service - agency payment of claims for benefits.  His goal was to pay all claims on the date due, given complete documentation.  This standard continues to this day.

In 1946, Charles J. Sellers, Jr., following WWII service in the Army Air Corps, joined his parents in the business.  Together they expanded the Agency, securing endorsements from Bar Associations and Medical Societies throughout New York State.

In 1962, Mr. and Mrs. Sellers, Senior retired.  Charles J. Sellers, Jr. became President and his wife, Geraldine Sellers, who had previously joined the firm, became Vice President.  Today, four of their children and three of their grandchildren constitute the Agency leadership.  The Company subsequently wrote and serviced insurance statewide for physicians and for attorneys via the statewide New York Criminal and Civil Courts Bar Association.

In 1991, Charles J. Sellers, III became President following twenty-two years of full-time agency experience.  Mr. Sellers, III has led the Agency into the fields of Long-Term Care Insurance, coverage for group practices and insurance for other Professions, while expanding and improving the many programs in force.  At the same time, Sellers Insurance has never deviated from its commitment to low-cost, sound product design and outstanding customer service.

Today Sellers Insurance is a national leader in Professional Group Insurance.  The Agency writes all lines of coverage: personal and commercial, life, disability income, and property and casualty.  State of the art computerization and contact management ensure fast, efficient, cost-effective customer service.  National 800 phone and Fax numbers are maintained for customer use.  Highly trained and courteous personnel are available to answer questions on an immediate basis.  All represented insurers are highly rated for financial strength.

Property & Casualty writings since 1991 have increased substantially.  A Safety Group Program for Physicians' Offices and Association sponsored Auto/Home Programs have started and grown based on the Professional Group systems of Sellers & Company.  Charles J. Sellers, III and Eileen Sellers Fitzgibbons have worked to produce new sales in all areas.  Thomas G. Sellers and Mary Sellers have made sure that claims, underwriting, premium collection and policy service have supported new and renewal customer service.

In 2012, Sellers Insurance will celebrate its 92nd year in business.  The Agency is now in its fourth generation of family operation and responsibility.  Staff includes two in-house Attorneys as well as staff holding designations such as CLU, CPCU, LUTCF, ChFC, RHU, REBC, LTCP, ACSR, FIC, RN, MBA, AIS and other designations.  Amy Burnett, Ann Sellers and Kate Sellers, all great-granddaughters of the original founders, are active officers in the business today.

Many changes have recently occurred in the insurance field.  More are surely coming.  In this environment, the Sellers Insurance commitment to fair dealing and the best of service are more important than ever for the insurance consumer.

We look forward to being of service to you.

Ninety-Two Years of Service
1920 - 2012