top of page

Timeline of Important Events at Bell & Hudson

c. 1890   George Bell, also of Granby, MA, purchases Mr. Taylor's insurance
                 business and the agency is founded.

c. 1865   Frederick Taylor, of Granby, MA starts an insurance business to protect
                 his mill properties.

1930's    Byron Hudson joins Mr. Bell as a partner and Bell & Hudson Insurance
                 Agency is formed.

1940        The agency is incorporated in Massachusetts.

1954       Louis Fuller, a local businessman, purchases the agency.

1976       Edward Fuller, Louis' son, purchases the agency.  Ted initiates the early
                 stages of agency automation.

1986       James Phaneuf joins the agency from Hanover Insurance Company.  Ted
                 and Jim agree that the agency stock will be sold to Jim in the near future.
1988       Bell & Hudson moves from 21 North Main Street to the newly constructed                     office right next door at 19 North Main.

1992        Jim purchases the agency from Ted. 

1999        The agency upgrades computers in advance of the Y2K scare.

2001        Bell & Hudson's entire staff takes 'Delivering Insurance Services' course
                 offered by CPCU and all staff members pass the national exam. 

2003        Agency receives Five Star Award of  Distinction from Massachusetts
                 Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA).

2005        The 1st Annual Putt-a-thon for The Jimmy Fund raises $17,500 for cancer
                 research.  Mini-golfers play 100 holes in the rain!

2007        The Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce recognizes Bell & Hudson as
                 'Business of the Year.'  Bell & Hudson joins Insurance Services of New
                 England (ISNE).

2011        Bell & Hudson is named 'America's Best Independent Agency to Work for
                 in the East' by The Insurance Journal.

2012       Bell & Hudson purchases Walsh/CDI Insurance in West Brookfield, MA.

2015        In July of 2015, Matthew Phaneuf takes over as the President of the
                 agency. Jim assumes the role of Chairman and announces that Matt will
                 purchase the agency in the near future. 

2016        Jim retires on 12/31/2016.  The agency is sold to Matt.

2017       Bell & Hudson successfully renews its MAIA Five Star Designation for the
                 fourth time.
2018       Putt-a-thon raises $68,500 for cancer research and the 14 year total
                  crosses the $700,000 mark.
2020       Candace McNeaney celebrates 35 years at Bell & Hudson!
2022       Bell and Hudson renews MAIA 5 Star Certification for the fifth time,
                 marking 20 years as a 5 Star Independent Agency.
2022       Bell & Hudson celebrates 10 year anniversary of CDI/Walsh Insurance         
                 purchase
2023       The Putt-a-thon celebrates its 19th (and final) year and crosses the
                 $1,000,000 mark for funds raised for cancer research              

bottom of page