Weirton Insurance Companies Combine; Tairiol, Levendorf Join as one of State’s Largest

1/1/1994

(Weirton Daily Times)

WEIRTON – Two longtime Weirton insurance agencies have combined resources to become what the president calls one of the five largest agencies in the state.

The J.S. Tairiol Co., founded in 1920, and the Levendorf Insurance Agency, Inc. which was founded eight years later, have become Assure America.

The new company will be based at 200 Ivy St. and have branch offices in Wellsburg, Chester, Wheeling, Clarksburg and Morgantown.

“Out of the 400 plus agencies in the state, this one will rank in the top five in premium volume and policy count,” said Matthew Magnone, president and chief executive officer.

Combined, the two agencies represent more than 20 insurance companies and service more than 12,500 policies in all types of insurance.

“Today’s sophisticated market requires an agency that can both understand and respond to the highly specialized needs of the client – personal and corporate alike,” Magnone said.

“Our merger may come as a surprise to some,” said Marvin Levendorf, president of the Levendorf agency, “but it has, in reality, been a venture we have been exploring since 1986 and have carefully planned for nearly two years now.”

Levendorf, who will serve as Assure America’s chairman of the board, added, “With more than 10,000 policies in force, J.S. Tairiol has long been the premier agency for personal lines of insurance as ‘Main Street’ business insurance. We have historically specialized in commercial lines with particular emphasis in professional liability. Together we will function as both jacks and masters of all trades.”

Both agencies are currently in their third generation of family ownership. The J.S. Tairiol Co. began in 1920 with Joseph S. Tairiol at the helm. Matthew Magnone Sr. represented the second generation and Matthew A. Magnone the third. Louis Levendorf founded the Levendorf Agency in 1928, with his son Marvin and grandson Kelly representing the second and third generations respectively.