Insurance Services of America is an independent insurance brokerage specializing in insurance services, international health insurance, and short-term medical insurance for US citizens. In addition to working directly with clients, the brokerage is a managing general agent with over 4,000 licensed insurance agents and agencies throughout the United States who are contracted to sell the insurance products.
History
Headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona, Insurance Services of America is family-owned and operated. The company has been an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau since December 15, 2005. Its principal owner is English-born Graham Bates, a veteran of the US Army. Other employees include Bates' adopted sons, Adam Bates and Aaron Bates, and daughter Amy Sullivan. In May 1970, Bates first entered the insurance business. His positions within the industry included that of Assistant Supervisor of Health Insurance for the Missouri Department of Insurance in Jefferson City, Missouri; Assistant to the President of an insurance company in Indianapolis; the National Marketing Director of third-party administrator in Lakewood, Colorado; and finally the owner and President of Insurance Services of America. Bates and his wife, Rebecca, have one biological daughter, and three children adopted from South Korea during the 1970s.
One of the Bates sons, Aaron Bates, is a licensed insurance agent who works at the brokerage. Prior to his career in insurance, Aaron Bates served in the US Special Forces and spent several months stationed in South Korea, where he was born. The events surrounding his discovery of his biological father, who was serving time on death row in a South Korean prison, inspired the making of the film My Father.
Operating territory
Insurance Services of America is headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona with other offices in Carlsbad, California as well as Boulder, Colorado. Approximately 4,000 contracted agents and brokers throughout the United States and several other countries also represent the insurance products brokered by the firm.
In addition to insuring international clients, the owners of Insurance Services of America also meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of orphaned children in Nampula, Mozambique. In 1999, Least of These Ministries was formed and Rebecca's Home Orphanage was created. The ministry's mission is to donate 100% of its proceeds to aid orphans around the world. Typically, the orphanage serves 40–50 children.
