The 5 Best Independent Insurance Agencies in Central New York

Finding a trustworthy insurance agency can be difficult. We understand the struggle to identify the right company made for your world. That's why we've compiled this list of the top 5 independent insurance agencies in Central New York.

We’re the Horan agency, a Baldwinsville-based company that sells insurance too. But you already know about us. And we realize we’re not the best option for every single person or business. That’s why we’ve taken the time to research and highlight other great local insurance providers. This way, you can make an informed decision.

If our agency seems like a good fit for you based on what you’ve read on this site, wonderful! If you’d rather work with an agency on this list, also great. But know that we have no affiliation with these other agencies and receive no compensation for recommending them.

We aim to make insurance less confusing and intimidating. Because of that, we’re happy to recommend other local agencies with the same goal. Providing exceptional, easy-to-grasp coverage is what matters. Central New York has many cars and homes needing insurance. Our area has room for more than one exceptional agency.

In creating this review, we considered the ratings, reviews, and any specialized niche they excel in. Here are the five best independent insurance agencies in Central New York, according to our criteria:

1. Heritage Insurance (Cicero and Baldwinsville, New York)

Heritage Insurance is a full-service agency. They have offices in Cicero and Baldwinsville, complete with a team of dedicated and knowledgeable agents.

Heritage Insurance works with three dozen carriers, which means they can offer you a wide range of coverages and prices. They specialize in farm and ranch insurance, but they also offer personal and commercial insurance for other types of businesses and individuals.

Their leadership has been heavily involved in the local business community and supports several local organizations and events.

If you own a farm or ranch in Central New York, you may find Heritage Insurance to be advantageous since this is a specialized area for them. Consider giving them a call.

2. Haylor, Freyer, and Coon (Syracuse, New York)

Haylor, Freyer, and Coon is a commercial insurance agency based in Syracuse. They are part of a large national insurance and financial firm called the Alera Group, which it joined in 2022. But that doesn’t mean they’re a corporate monster! They still operate with the same local charm that made them so popular to begin with.

Haylor, Freyer, and Coon has access to many carriers, which means they can handle any size or type of business. They are especially good at providing risk management to municipalities, where they insure employees of cities, townships, and utilities. They also have expertise in the health professional world, where they insure

• hospitals,
• nursing homes
• outpatient clinics
• doctors,
• x-ray technicians,
• and more.

If you have more than 50 employees, Haylor, Freyer, and Coon would be a good fit for you based on their reach and experience.

3. Crowley Insurance (East Syracuse, New York)

Crowley Insurance is an independent agency based in Syracuse, New York. They have a staff of 7 licensed agents and customer service representatives.

As a show of how stellar the company is, Crowley Insurance has over 500 5-star reviews online. They also work with around 18 carriers. They offer personal and commercial insurance for a variety of needs, such as auto, home, pet, business, and more. They even took the Syracuse.com Reader’s Choice Award from us in 2022. We might have to exact some revenge!

Crowley Insurance is social-media savvy and versed in providing information through multiple channels. You can find them on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and their blog, where they share helpful tips and insights on insurance.

4. Steve Donigan Agency (Syracuse, New York)

The Steve Donigan Agency is a full-service independent property and casualty insurance agency. They’re also based in Syracuse, New York.

The Steve Donigan Agency is the “King of New York State Truck Insurance.” They claim to provide customers with needed policies that will keep them on the road while the profits roll in. While they offer truck insurance for all types of rigs, they also offer commercial and personal insurance.

But if you are a truck owner or operator in Central New York, you should consider the Steve Donigan Agency. They have the experience and knowledge to help you get the best coverage and price for your truck insurance.

5. Oswego Valley Insurance Agencies (Oswego, Clayton, Brewerton, Williamsville, and Massena, New York)

Owego Valley Insurance Agencies (OVIA) is an independent insurance agency with five offices across Central New York. In one form or another, they have been serving the community since 1876 with a variety of personal and commercial insurance solutions. They have a staff of 24 professionals across their five offices.

While OVIA offers personal and business insurance, it has a unique specialty in Fire Department Insurance and Fire Protection Contractor Insurance. They understand the risks and challenges fire departments and fire protection contractors face, and they offer customized coverage to meet the specific demands of that sector.

OVIA works with several top-rated carriers to provide comprehensive protection for fire departments and fire protection contractors.

If you’re looking for a trusted and experienced insurance partner for your fire department or fire protection contractor business, you may want to consider OVIA.

Buy Insurance with Confidence with a Local Agency

You have plenty of great options to choose from when selecting an insurance agency in Central New York.

Each agency on our list has earned a stellar reputation and high marks online. They all handle both personal and business policies as full-service, independent providers.

But no agency is perfect, so we advise you to do your own research and contact the agencies that interest you. Speak to a live person and get a feel for them. Make sure they answer your questions and are attentive. You should walk away with a good understanding of your policies and what role the agency will play.

If you’d like to get a quote from us, simply click the Get a Quote button below, and one of our friendly and experienced agents will contact you to discuss your options.

Still want more agency knowledge? Read our related article to learn how independent agents operate and how they differ from other types of agents and brokers.