The founder of the agency, Dick Ostrander, was a life-long Franklin resident at the time and a recent college graduate. The agency actually started out as both a real estate and insurance office, but transitioned solely into an insurance agency in the late 1980's. Personal insurance such as auto, home, motorcycle, boat and apartment insurance were offered to area residents. By 1984, business was s
trong enough to open a second location in the neighboring town of Bellingham. The office hired support staff that typically stayed with the agency for many years. For example, Lorraine Long served as the key employee of the Bellingham office for 25 years. A variety of insurance carriers were used, then replaced as the insurance environment in MA changed. Carriers such as Allstate, MetLife, Arbella and others all had their place as key insurance partners promoted by the Ostrander Insurance Agency down through the years. The current location of the business at 94 David Road in Bellingham, MA, located diagonally across the street from the Bellingham Post Office, was purchased in 1988. A significant addition to the building and the insurance office occurred in 2013. The rented, Franklin office off 33 years was closed and staff relocated to the newly expanded Bellingham location. The office now offers business insurance coverage as well as boat, jewelry, classic car and umbrella liability coverage. Carriers presently represented by the Ostrander Insurance Agency include Commerce (Mapfre), Plymouth Rock, Norfolk & Dedham Mutual, New London County, Pilgrim, Bunker Hill, Foremost, Grundy and MA Property. The Readers Choice Awards has consistently named Ostrander the Best Insurance Agency in Bellingham for years, including the last 5 years running. Ostrander Insurance supports local charities, youth sports and the business community as a member of The Bellingham Business Association. The founder's son, Paul Ostrander, joined the staff in July, 2017, after working as an insurance professional closer to Boston. His association with the agency solidifies the Ostrander Insurance Agency in the insurance community and makes this a true family business.