Insurance
Agency Profile
1st American State Agency of Minnesota has been in business since 1936. We offer several departments to service our clients’ needs.
- Life/Health
- Homeowners
- Auto Insurance
- Farm Insurance
- Commercial/Business Insurance
- Crop Hail/Multi Peril Crop Insurance
We operate in most counties throughout the State of Minnesota. Our staff is highly trained and required to maintain ongoing education throughout the year in their field of specialty.
Our Personal Lines Insurance department specializes in offering the highest quality Home, Automobile, and Farm packages.
Our Ag Insurance department also offers the finest in Crop Insurance from crop hail to the newest revenue policies available in the industry.
We also specialize in providing Auto insurance for mature drivers, over the age of 50, up to any age! If you have problems obtaining insurance because of your driving record, we can help you!
Our Commercial Lines department offers Loss Control/Risk Management services as well as customized insurance programs. We write all types of business insurance but specialize in Contractors, Contractor Performance Bonding, Repair Garages and Service Stations, Equipment Dealers and Petroleum Dealers.
We have some of the most competitive Term Life Insurance rates in the entire country and offer Life Insurance Programs for Buy-Sell Agreements, Deferred Compensations Agreements, and Employee Health Insurance Programs.
Want to take the mystery out of insurance? Give us a call and we will be glad to set up a one-on-one session with you to answer all your questions and customize an insurance program just for you. We’ll spend as much time with you as you want!
Location and Hours
Hancock – Main Office
563 6th Street
P O Box 8
Hancock, MN 56244
320-392-5278
320-392-5330 (fax)
9:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Thursday
Benson - Branch Office
1327 Pacific Ave
P O Box 308
Benson, MN 56215
320-843-4455
320-843-3953 (fax)
8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday - Friday
Drive-up teller 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday (5:30 pm Thursday)
Agency Staff
Mark Leighton – Owner, Certified Insurance Counselor
As an independent agent and agency we remain loyal to our communities representing some of the best known insurance companies in the market place. Providing complete insurance protection, including home life, health, auto, cycle, farm, commercial, bonds and surety to our family of customers.
Chairman Mark Leighton started his career with 1st American Financial Center in 1980. This was previously known as the Hancock State Bank and Hancock State Agency and were established in 1936. Both the Bank and Agency are extremely proud of their long history as independent and local ownership.
As soon as Mr. Leighton’s career was established as the local agent and banker following his mother’s and father’s careers, he soon started acquiring other local agencies and continuing his education in insurance, financial planning, and investments.
Mr. Leighton is also proud of our corporate donation programs as we strive to support local, civic, private and charitable programs. Please stop by and introduce yourself, we always have the coffee on and look forward to visiting with you. 1st American State Agency of Minnesota provides the insurance protection you deserve and we are proud to be part of your community.
Lori Tostenson – Agency Manager, Certified Insurance Counselor
Lori began her insurance career in 1973 at First State Bank in Benson. She received her insurances licenses in 1976. In 1986 she began working for Swift County Insurance Agency which was purchased by 1st American State Bank of Hancock in 1987. She continued her insurance education by obtaining her Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 1995 and became manager of the Benson office in 1995.
Agnette Duncan – Insurance Agent
Agnette entered the insurance field when her husband, Ron, an experienced insurance agent, purchased an insurance agency in Benson back in 1978. After graduating from Augsburg College in Minneapolis and careers, for several years, as an Extension Home Economist and a Hospital Dietitian, Agnette became a licensed insurance agent in 1981. What started out as Moline Insurance Agency was changed to Duncan Insurance under Ron and Agnette’s ownership. In 1996 she started working with 1st American State Agency of Minnesota when Duncan Insurance Agency property/casualty book of business was purchased and transferred to 1st American State Agency of Minnesota. Agnette has 28 years of experience selling and servicing insurance. She looks forward to working with all clients and potential clients to find the best product to fit your insurance needs. She is ready and willing to help you with the varied lines of insurance.
Rochelle Peterson – Customer Service Rep/Bookkeeping
Dawn Kisgen – Customer Service Rep/Bookkeeping