Trucking Specialist Nansemond Keeps On Rolling In Virginia

The insurance industry has changed a lot in the last half century, but the core values of Nansemond Insurance Agency, established over fifty years ago, have not. By always putting the client first, being open and collaborative, working to build respect, and being passionate about the work they do, Nansemond strives for excellence in delivering the best insurance programs and services. 

“We’ve always worked together with our customers to identify the areas where we can provide the most value to them,” says Joby Webb, agency President. 

Nansemond Insurance is a member of the Keystone Insurers Group and was named the Virginia Partner of the year twice. An agency producer has also won a Virginia Thoroughbred Award for Production an impressive eight times. 

A Family History

Jack Webb founded the agency in 1957. His first customer was his father’s trucking company–and Nansemond’s specialization in transportation was born. Jack was joined by his sons, Bill and Joe, in the 1970s and his son-in-law, Jay Dorschel, in 1980. That generation of ownership built on the agency’s trucking expertise, expanding into warehousing, petroleum, inland marine and ocean cargo, and captive insurance programs. 

Family perpetuation of the agency continued when Joby joined the staff in 2003. His brother, Jarratt Webb, came on board in 2009, and his cousin, Michael Nairn, in 2012. The three are now the agency’s owners, each having prior business experience from other industries.

Nansemond Insurance developed and continues to grow a strong reputation for handling complex risks by working with their customers. “We stay in close personal contact with business owners and managers,” Jarratt says. “All our producers and staff understand the unique hurdles that businesses face every day and are able to help them anticipate and avoid problems.”

The agency staff are not only highly experienced, but also well-credentialed, with the majority holding CIC designations. “We put a high emphasis on furthering education,” Michael says. “That not only allows us to create the best risk management solution for clients but, if a claim does occur, enables us to manage claims effectively and bring them to closure in a fair and equitable way.” 

Nansemond Insurance also believes in supporting the community, not only through volunteer service of its staff but also through the Nansemond Charitable Foundation for the past 25 years. The agency also sponsors college scholarships to students who have demonstrated a positive work ethic and commitment to making the community an even better place to live.

“We have long recognized we do nothing alone,” Joby says. “We are privileged to be able to support the community that supports us.”

Looking Ahead

Like every agency, Nansemond has been impacted by the pandemic, but its business focus has also helped it weather the storm.

“Our truck customers in particular have shown amazing resiliency through an incredibly challenging time,” Michael says. 

As the leaders of Nansemond Insurance look to the future, their goal is to continue the agency’s controlled growth by focusing on what has propelled the agency’s success for 50-plus years.

“We recognize that our biggest job every day is to make sure our customers are taken care of,” Joby says. “We are passionate about the work we do, and I believe it shows.”