At Johnson Insurance, we’ve always believed that the best protection starts with people—real relationships, real commitment, and a promise to show up when it matters most. That belief has carried us from humble beginnings in 1915 to where we are today: a trusted insurance partner serving families, farms, and businesses across generations and industries.
1915: The Spark That Started It All
It all began in Mocksville, North Carolina, when E.C. Morris opened a small agency offering physical damage insurance for automobiles—at a time when fewer than 25 out of every 1,000 people in the U.S. owned a car. It was a bold move, rooted in foresight and grit. That same mindset still drives us today.
1930s–1950s: Resilience Through Hard Times
We didn’t just survive the Great Depression and World War II—we grew stronger. As the agency evolved, we welcomed new partners and adopted new names, but our mission stayed the same: protect what matters most and do right by the people we serve.
1961–1978: Planting Deeper Roots
In 1961, Bill Johnson became a partner, followed by Don Wood in 1969, leading to the agency’s evolution into Larew-Wood-Johnson, Inc. These years were pivotal in shaping our identity. As rural America evolved, so did our focus—strengthening our commitment to agricultural communities and embracing the growing insurance needs of farms, families, and small-town businesses. During this time, we laid the groundwork for what would become our specialty: delivering personalized protection with local insight and long-term trust.
2006–2016: Enter the Poultry Industry
In 2006, we wrote our first poultry farm policy with Everett Cash Mutual Insurance—a single step that would redefine the future of our agency. Recognizing a significant gap in the market, the Johnsons saw an opportunity to offer something better: insurance solutions specifically designed for the unique risks poultry farmers face. Over the next decade, we listened, learned, and built relationships across the industry. By 2016, that vision came to life through a strategic partnership with Live Oak Bank, launching a program focused solely on serving poultry producers with smarter, more responsive coverage.
2008–2023: Family, Growth, and Generational Leadership
In 2008, Wes Johnson joined the agency, continuing the family legacy and bringing fresh vision to its future. Over the next decade, the team expanded with passionate, driven leaders—including Jessica Yarbrough, Lindsey Owens, and Natalie Winters—who helped elevate operations, service, and strategy. In 2023, following Bill Johnson’s retirement, Wes and Jessica officially took the helm as owners. Under their leadership, the agency not only preserved its founding values of integrity, service, and personal connection—it expanded them, driving innovation, entering new industries, and cultivating a culture built for long-term growth.
Today: Evolving with Purpose
Today, Johnson Insurance stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation. We’ve expanded nationally with ARU, a poultry-specific program delivering industry-leading coverage. In 2024, we launched our Self-Storage vertical—tailored to meet the distinct needs of a fast-growing industry. These strategic moves reflect more than growth; they reflect our commitment to staying ahead of what our clients need next. With over a century of trust behind us, we’re building the next chapter—grounded in expertise, powered by innovation, and driven by purpose.
From One Town to Many Communities—We’re Still Here for You
Our legacy is more than dates and milestones—it’s the stories of the people we’ve protected, the industries we’ve grown alongside, and the trust we’ve earned by showing up when it matters most. From our roots in a single North Carolina town to serving clients across the country, one thing has never changed: our belief that insurance should feel personal, not transactional.
Whether it’s your business or your future —you can count on Johnson Insurance to protect what you’ve built, every step of the way.
And the best part of our story? We’re just getting started.
