World Insurance Associates adds N.Y. firm to its acquisitions

Iselin-based World Insurance Associates LLC on Tuesday said it acquired the business of Finger Lakes Partners Insurance Services Inc. of Geneva, New York, on Jan. 1.

Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Finger Lakes was formed in 2007 when two established agencies with histories dating back to 1900 combined — Chacchia & Parrott Inc. and Henry Shepard Smith Inc. Today, Finger Lakes Partners provides insurance services to individuals and businesses. All the principals of Finger Lakes Partners are joining World to continue to operate the business, ensuring continuity for clients.

“We were born here, we work here and we live here,” Ed Boudreau of Finger Lakes Partners Insurance Services said. “We have a vested interest in this community and look forward to serving its residents for a long, long time. As part of World Insurance, we can offer our customers additional insurance products and services. We look forward to taking our agency to the next level — providing larger resources, and local representation.”

“On behalf of the World family, I’d like to welcome Finger Lakes Partners to our team,” Rich Eknoian, co-founder and CEO of WIA, said. “They are a successful agency and I know they will continue to grow as part of World.”

Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla provided legal counsel to World. Harter Secrest & Emery LLP provided legal counsel to Finger Lakes.