WHAT BEGAN AS AN INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE AGENCY IN 1917, HAS DEVELOPED INTO A FAMILY ENTERPRISE FOCUSING ON SERVICE AND VALUE.
Rader Insurance has been serving the Hastings area for nearly 100 years. Our commitment to our customers is what sets us apart.
In 1917, Lee Haggard founded Haggard Real Estate Agency in Trumbull, Nebraska. Mr. Haggard dealt with real estate and a little insurance for grain elevators. In the 1920’s the company relocated to downtown Hastings.
In 1949, Lee asked his nephew, Burton Rader if he would like to sell insurance for him. Burton worked part-time for Lee and part-time at Debus Baking Co. where he had been for 13 years. In 1950, Burton went into his uncle’s business full-time.
In 1957, Burton purchased the company from his uncle. Burton’s son, Larry, became involved in the business in 1960 after his mother, Freda, who was working in the office with Burton, had thyroid surgery. Burton approached Larry and asked if he would “help out” because in those days recovery from that type of surgery was a 3 to 4-week process. Needless to say, Larry never left and the business was in the process of growing enough to be able to support two families.
In 1962-63, the Raders purchased a house at 1130 West 2nd Street. With remodeling and a little addition, it was turned into office space still being utilized today.
Larry’s wife, Judy, joined the business in 1979, handling insurance claims work.
In 1980 Larry’s son, Rick, joined the business, full-time, becoming the fourth generation to work in the family business.
In 1986, upon the retirement of Burton & Freda, the business was renamed Rader Insurance, Inc.
In 2007 Rick’s son, Dustin, joined the business, full-time, becoming the 5th generation to work in the family business.
There are also two other employees in the agency providing assistance in the automated rating of personal and commercial types of insurance coverages along with the accounting functions and office management.
Rader Insurance is an independent insurance agency that focuses primarily on home, auto, farm, property, casualty, bonds, life, annuities, health, group, disability, medicare supplement, AFLAC, long-term care, and assistance with dealing with the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama Care) issues.
Rader Insurance believes that in a society of technological advances, a willingness to consider change is vital to survival. But they also want to maintain the personal service that has kept the business going for so many years with the help of family members. We take great pride in the extensive service provided with any and all types of CLAIMS.
Person-to-person buying/selling is important and our goal is to continue that philosophy in the automated world.
With the advances in technology, it is difficult but is the goal of Rader Insurance to maintain as much personal contact as possible in order to be able to provide the level of service that is important to everyone.
RADER INSURANCE TEAM
RICK A. RADER
Rick A. Rader started in the agency full-time in May 1980. He currently serves as President of the Corporation. Rick is a 1977 Hastings High School graduate and attended Hastings College. Rick’s son Dustin also works in the agency. Rick has a step-daughter, Audrey, who is married and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. Rick also has a step-daughter, Ashley, who is married and lives in Winchester, Tennessee. Rick’s daughter, Kailey, is a junior at Wayne State, and plans to become a teacher. Rick enjoys his 6 grandchildren, hunting, fishing, and is an avid golfer. He is a member of the Adams County Board of Adjustment, a past board member of Head Start, past board member of the YMCA & has had a great deal of interest in the Hastings Midget Football Program, having spent over 20 years in coaching, being a board member, and commissioner. Rick works primarily in the commercial insurance area, assists with personal insurance.
DUSTIN J. RADER
Dustin J. Rader started in the agency full-time in July 2007. He had previously worked part-time in the agency, a couple of years in claims adjusting with Nationwide/Allied Ins. Co. and a couple of years, full-time with AFLAC. He is a 2004 graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Dustin is married to wife, Tenille. They have two sons, Kowen (2008) and Kallen (2011). Dustin enjoys fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. He “pretty much” works in most all facets of the insurance business, helping people in so many different ways. Dustin likes to say that he “bleeds Husker Red”.
JUDY K. RADER
Judy K. Rader started in the agency in July-1979, is the Secretary/Treasurer of the corporation. She was a Hastings High graduate, Class of 1958, was married in 1958 to Larry R. Rader. She handles the claims work in the agency, commercial & personal lines. Judy enjoys watching old movies, spending time with family and especially her 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She likes Nebraska football, Nebr. women’s basketball and volleyball. She says that she particularly likes working with other family members & employees and helping customers solve different insurance problems.