When Tom Burgess began selling Farm Family crop insurance, it marked the beginning of our company traditions of knowledge, professionalism, and service to the community. As a tobacco farmer, he understood the potential for financial loss due to uninsured occurrences. The South Windsor business insurance policies he sold protected farmers in his community by giving them a means to recover financially in the event of a damaging storm.
Tom founded Thomas M Burgess & Company when his friend, Charlie Enes, presented the opportunity after he was elected as South Windsor’s first Town Clerk. Tom established his new agency as a community resource for personal insurance coverage. He also served the community as a member of the first town council, a founder of South Windsor Bank & Trust, and as a South Windsor Rotary founding and charter member.
Changing Directions
When new college graduate, Vincent Prestileo, joined Burgess as a personal lines sales associate in 1974, it was the beginning of a new direction for the agency. By 1983, Vincent purchased the business as a sole owner. He shifted the agency focus from personal to commercial lines and laid the groundwork for a new business model.
Under Vincent Prestileo’s leadership, we continued our focus on insurance knowledge, professionalism, and on our client’s diverse coverage needs. With a new focus on business, we developed the commercial insurance expertise to insure contractors, manufacturers, truckers, restaurants, day-care centers, and many other specialty businesses.
Changing Directions
When new college graduate, Vincent Prestileo, joined Burgess as a personal lines sales associate in 1974, it was the beginning of a new direction for the agency. By 1983, Vincent purchased the business as a sole owner. He shifted the agency focus from personal to commercial lines and laid the groundwork for a new business model.
Under Vincent Prestileo’s leadership, we continued our focus on insurance knowledge, professionalism, and on our client’s diverse coverage needs. With a new focus on business, we developed the commercial insurance expertise to insure contractors, manufacturers, truckers, restaurants, day-care centers, and many other specialty businesses.
Maintaining our Agency Traditions
Vincent affirms Tom Burgess’s spirit of community service as an active member of Jaycees, South Windsor Rotary, Hartford Home Builders, and Remodelers Association, South Windsor Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations. As a member of the National Society of Agents for Consumer Education and the Independent Insurance Association of Connecticut, he continues to develop his knowledge and professionalism.
Increasing our Reach
Vince’s son, Scott, joined the agency in 2013 and used his Political science degree as a foundation for continuing insurance education. He studied at the Hartford School of Insurance and acquired the expertise to better service current commercial business insurance clients while developing new accounts.
Over the years, our forward-thinking leaders strengthened the agency by expanding our marketing reach. While we will continue focusing on local and regional Connecticut businesses, Burgess Insurance is now licensed to serve clients in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Georgia. As we expand our service area beyond Connecticut, we remain committed to our local clients. We will continue to provide professional insurance services, as well as the stability that inspires clients to renew policies year after year.
In 2005, our agency made the commitment to become a business only insurance agency. We provide professional service to commercial clients only; and we believe our decision will benefit our clients with our continuous development of professionalism, knowledge, and service.