Bouchard Insurance History

1948 – Roger Bouchard sold his first policy from a rented store front in downtown Clearwater.

1950’s – 1960’s - The agency saw tremendous growth during this time resulting in three moves.

1970’s – An active era for agency mergers and acquisitions – four local agencies were merged into the Bouchard firm.

1973 – The agency opened its first branch office on East Bay Drive in Largo.

1974 - A national program for mobile home manufacturers was launched by the agency.

Late 1970’s – The agency had 5 offices: Clearwater, Countryside, Largo, Port Richey and a kiosk in Gulfview Mall in Pasco County. The Largo branch moved into a new building on East Bay Drive along with the Roger Bouchard Real Estate Division.

1980’s – The satellite branches were consolidated to our Clearwater location on Missouri Avenue to take advantage of technology and automate the agency through the use of a newly-purchased computer system. At this time, a second story was added to the building to accommodate the consolidation.
Over the next few years Bouchard became more selective and focused on the size and type of customers they wanted which was the impetus of their future growth. New producers, experienced in special targeted areas, were added to the staff and a formal sales center was established. A telemarketing program was initiated and advertising & agency marketing became more defined.

1988 – The agency moved to the current corporate location on Starcrest Drive in Clearwater leasing the first floor.

1987 - The agency bought the building on Starcrest Drive from Foremost Insurance.

Early 1990’s – The agency concentrated on growth in the workers’ compensation business. The agency designed CompPro^®, a workers’ compensation management program, which was the impetus for the next growth spurt.

1992 – Roger Bouchard retired. 1999 – Bouchard Insurance became a subsidiary of Naples-based First National Bankshares (NYSE: FLB). During a five year period of bank ownership, the agency grew through acquisitions to serve the bank’s “footprint.”

2000 - 2003 – The Kissimmee office was formed as a result of the purchase of Lupfer-Frakes. The Ft. Myers office resulted from the combination of the acquisitions of Altamura Marsh & Associates and Don Ostrowsky. The purchase of Connell & Herrig and James T. Blalock formed the Sarasota office.

2004 - The Bouchard management team acquired the agency from First National Bankshares.

After the purchase of the agency from the bank, the management team made a strategic decision to grow organically instead of through acquisitions.

Today the agency operates as a privately-held, independent agency serving the Florida Community through four office locations throughout Southwest and Central Florida. An internal ownership perpetuation plan is in place to allow Bouchard Insurance to remain a privately-held, independent agency.