History

Founded in 1958

Livingston Insurance Agency was founded by Robert (Bob) and Raye Livingston on September 28, 1958. Bob was working for Siebels Bruce in the reinsurance department located on Main Street in Columbia, SC. He had a nice cubicle on the 13th floor. Raye was working in the Buying Department at Colonial Stores Warehouse on Shop Road in Columbia, SC.

They saw owning an insurance agency as a dual opportunity to be self-employed and help the public. With this mindset, Bob approached Dr. T.C. Whetshell , a very prominent business man in West Columbia, to see if he could buy his book of insurance business. Not only did he own T.C. Whetshell Insurance Agency, he also owned Whetshell Drug Store and helped start Lexington County Saving and Loan.

In order to buy Dr. Whetshell’s book of business, Dr. Whetshell took out a second mortgage on Bob and Raye’s home which they were able to pay this back within five years.  When they had paid off Dr. Whetsell, Bob got in his car and went to every insured in the book of business to introduce himself. Dr. Whetshell became Bob and Raye’s friend and mentor. Unlike Bob, Raye had no experience in the insurance industry, so she was trained by the Porter Agency who managed The Hanover Insurance Company, which is where their book of business was insured.

Though they just started a new business, Bob wanted to further his career in the South Carolina National Guard, which he had been involved in since Raye first met him. He started attending the Palmetto Military Academy (PMA) and began taking correspondence classes to become eligible to be an officer. He also started working at Columbia Wilbert Vault Plant on the weekends to help supplement their income.

Everyone in the family was involved in working in some way to get the business running. Bob and Raye’s two children started to help out in the afternoons after school. Raye’s friend, Mrs. Aull, who worked at the children’s school, brought them to the office every day on her way home from school. There the children helped count the money, stamp envelopes and do form letters on the memograph machine.

The first physical location of Livingston Insurance Agency was at 108 State Street, West Columbia, SC, which is where they wrote their first policy to Mr. T.T. Dawson – and we are still insuring some of his family today!  After being in business for a while and getting on their feet, the Livingston’s moved their agency to 324 State Street, West Columbia. They then purchased land and built the building at their present location at 100 Ninth Street, West Columbia in October of 1988.

After being in business for more than 50 years, Bob and Raye have seen much change in the insurance industry as a whole. When they started out in 1958, personal lines premiums were a minimum of $14.00, and there were only fire and auto policies. There were no homeowners policies, and any extended coverage was written and rated separately. The highest deductibles were $100 and the lowest ones were $50, unlike now when we have deductibles as high as $5,000 and as low as $250.

Being in the insurance industry helped Bob and Raye meet many amazing people whom they are proud to call their friends. The memories of these friendships will last forever. Their fondest memory occurred when Elizabeth Durham sent Joe Campbell into their lives. Mrs. Durham, an insured, called Raye one day and told her that she was working too hard and she needed some help, so Mrs. Durham was going to send Joe Campbell over to help her. She told Raye that he was going to do everything he could so Bob and Raye could focus on their business and not have to worry about anything. Through the love and care Mr. Campbell showed Bob, Raye, and their children, they were able to focus on their growing business while still balancing their family. Mr. Campbell was very instrumental not only in their lives but in the lives of their children. He taught their son everything from how to work on a truck engine to plumbing. Mr. Campbell was not your average run of the mill guy. He was a special person and friend who Mrs. Durham helped put in the Livingstons’ lives! He was the one catalyst that really helped them get the agency off the ground. Being in the insurance industry helped Bob and Raye meet many amazing people whom they are proud to call their friends.

Bob and Raye’s motto is that if you serve the public and you do a good job, the business will come and you will make a living. Their secret to doing a good job is hard work, long hours, and taking care of your customers. The best advice they can give anyone working with the public is, “You are taking people’s money. You have a responsibility to do the best you can to take care of them.”

Joe and rachel

The future is bright at Livingston Insurance Agency. The company remains in Livingston family hands, and we will always strive to live the same motto as our founders – Serving our customers and the public is our number one priority! We hope to have as much success in the future as Bob and Raye had in the first 54 years!

I started working at this agency in October of 2013 and not only is it a wonderful work environment but it is great to work for an agency that truly cares about its insured’s. Because of the type of service I have received here I have not only switched my personal insurance to the Livingston Insurance Agency but also recommended for some of my family members to do so. Not only did we save money but we also have more coverage than we had previously.

Customer Since 2014

Mrs. Jackie Lorick

From the first time we met the Livingston Insurance Agent, we felt at ease knowing that a friendly and professional person was truly interested in meeting our insurance needs. I forgot to include a building we wanted insured in our first meeting, but the agent didn’t show any resentment. She just took the new information and used it to make new quote forms in a timely manner. My wife and I were very pleased with our decision to try the Livingston Insurance Agency.

Customer Since 2012

David Wiles

Livingston Insurance provides top-notch customer service. They were responsive and met the needs of my organization with lightning speed.

Templeton for Governor

RJ M.

Working with Livingston Insurance agency has been like a breath of fresh air. When you are sick and tired of wading through the minutia of insurance you need to give this agency a shot. They have not only helped me lower my overall insurance costs but are available at a moment’s notice to give me advice and in-depth explanations on particularly difficult topics. Do yourself a favor and reach out to this agency.

Outsource Logistics, LLC

Brian Leverett

I want to thank you for your help (and patience) with my family. My parents (Richard & Francis Dangerfield) have had their policies with Livingston for a really long time. My dad’s business was Dick’s Brake Shop and he handled all the insurance matters, especially vehicles. Now at 86 years old he has some memory issues and mom is handling everything. It was comforting to me to know (and trust) that you all would be sure she had the coverage she needs. AND, my brother is buying dad’s truck, so he is getting his policy from y’all too. He’s not one for details… so again, I trust that you all to be sure he has the proper coverage.

Customers Since 1980’s

Dangerfield Family

Livingston Insurance has been a pleasure to work with. They are easy to get a hold of, and have been helpful in assisting me with which insurance policy would best suit my needs. I would certainly recommend Livingston Insurance.

Customer Since 2014

Mrs. Karly Shorter

Livingston Insurance is GREAT!! You have served our needs WELL and have assisted the County with insurance advice far beyond your obligation. Thank You!!

County of Orangeburg

Todd Williams, Risk Manager

Livingston insurance was very helpful in meeting our insurance needs tailoring a plan that the distillery can grow with. I would recommend them to friends and family.

Straw Hat Distillery

Steve Winter

Thanks for the great customer service your agency and Cincinnati have provided us! You helped make the move from TN to SC very easy on us!

Customer Since 2015

Ethan W. Bean

The whole team at Livingston are awesome! Always quick and responsive to my needs, they truly care about their customers. I have moved all of my insurance policies to Livingston and am recommending them to all my friends and family!

Customer Since 2010

Mr. Clay Jones

Our company has worked with Livingston Insurance for years. We continue to do so because they can serve all of our insurance needs and because they care. In this somewhat impersonal digital age it’s nice to know that we can visit face to face with a member of the Livingston team whenever we have a need.

Matrix Scientific

Scott Allen

Y’all rock! We were (and still are) so pleased with the knowledge and expedited service you provided for all of our insurance needs as we were preparing to open the doors!

Hollow Creek Distillery

Hollow Creek Distillery

Livingston Insurance did an excellent job reviewing our Home Owner Association’s current coverages and offering risk management suggestions to help address future needs. Their staff is very customer focused. They are always helpful to address questions and concerns.

Gibbes Green Homeowners Association

Steve Francis

Working with the Livingston Insurance Agency has been a wonderful experience. They have helped me procure insurance for my personal items and for my business. The team was very engaged with the wife and I and we felt very comfortable with the decisions we ultimately made. Over the years, anytime I have needed documentation or guidance they were only a phone call away and always very responsive.

Midlands Storage

Philip Muhlenkamp

On Saturday, May 7, 2016 my windshield was hit by a rock while traveling down the interstate. I called Livingston Insurance Company on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 to submit my claim. Jackie took my information and immediately submitted my claim with Cincinnati Insurance. No less than 5 minutes after speaking with Jackie, I received a call from the Cincinnati Insurance Windsheild Claim Center. I was able to complete my claim and there was a Safelite Repairman available in my area the same day!! Now that is what I call service!!

Customer Since 2013

Mrs. Lee Knopf

I was in the midst of shopping for car and renters insurance, and I remembered I had been once introduced to the Livingston family. I asked a couple of my family members about their experience with Livingston Insurance Agency, and I got nothing but great feedback. I called and instantly received friendly, responsive and timely efforts from everyone on board at the agency. It is a family-based business that instills those qualities with their clients. Thanks to Rebekah and the Livingston team, I proudly recommend them.

Customer Since 2017

Heather B.

I have had a happy professional working relationship with Livingston Insurance Agency since 1995. That is 17 years of Honesty, Energy, and Reliability. Nothing I have needed has ever gone unattended, no detail too small for individual attention. I can count on Livingston Insurance Agency.

Customer Since 1995

Mr. Dick Hubbard

Our family switched to Livingston Insurance Agency from a larger company and couldn’t be happier. They saved us money by finding us the best deal for our situation and have always been extremely responsive and easy to talk to when filing a claim.

Customer Since 2005

Ben & Sarah Visser

Livingston Insurance is a family of people who have their customer’s best interest in mind. They are always there when you call to ask a question or to make a change to your policy. Once you have insurance with them, you become part of the family also. Livingston Insurance Company managed to save me almost $600 per year on a new policy and they have also given my business a peace of mind.

Celtic Bookkeeping & Tax Service

Cheri Bell
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