The Van Beurden family story is a classic American tale of success.
It all began with a Dutch immigrant’s dream of a better life for his family. The Van Beurden family was welcomed to Central California in 1957, and though they spoke little English, they had a strong work ethic and a will to carve out a good life in America.
Starting with very little, the family eventually built a thriving restaurant business, first in Yosemite Valley, then on the Central Coast.
In 1966, Bill Van Beurden took a job with Wigh and Associates and quickly moved up in the small-town agency. By 1975, Bill had the opportunity to purchase the business, which would eventually grow to become one of California’s top insurance agencies. Bill saw that many local groups were under-served, from farms to churches to trucking companies. He developed a simple and effective business strategy that concentrated on meeting needs common to the people and businesses of the area. Soon, the company’s focus shifted from local to regional, and Bill began to realize visions of growth and success.
The family has long been an important part of the business—other Van Beurden family members have opened locations in California. Now, a second generation runs the family business, with Bill’s son Chris Van Beurden – President, nieces Aniek Pflager – Executive Director of Sales and Carrie Van Beurden – Director of Personal Lines Service. Together, the family continues to uphold the strong business philosophies and ethics on which they were raised.
The Van Beurdens continue to take pride in the fact that the company remains family-owned and operated. From its humble beginnings as a small farming community agency to a significant force in the insurance industry, its essential mission remains unchanged: to offer its clients unmatched value by providing superior insurance solutions and a higher level of service.
