About Us : History
Deep roots, strong values
Cochrane & Porter Insurance Agency has a rich history and deeply rooted values of providing its clients the highest quality service in which they can trust and rely upon. Honesty, integrity, and customer-centered needs-based focus are the hallmarks of the organization.
Founder, Robert C. Cochrane, Jr., began his insurance career upon graduation from Harvard University in 1938. In his first position as a Special Agent for Royal Insurance, in New York City, he acquired comprehensive training in both technical and organizational insurance skills and education. In his role as a Special Agent, he developed professional relationships with many insurance brokers and gained a keen knowledge and understanding of the vast and diverse insurance customer needs among the public.
With his initial insurance education completed and a few years of experience behind him, Bob returned to his hometown of Brookline, MA to join the Albert G. Ferguson Insurance Agency of Boston. Albert Ferguson became a true insurance mentor and partner in providing Bob with a real-life, hands on, insurance education and expertise with emphasis upon understanding and fulfilling the unique needs of the agency's clients. Upon Albert Ferguson's retirement, Bob purchased the insurance agency and it became the R.C. Cochrane Insurance Agency.
Bob Cochrane's personal qualities of honesty, integrity, drive for excellence, passion, and empathy for people from all walks of life were perfect compliments to his prior insurance education and expertise. Over his 40+ years as an independent insurance professional, Bob became well known among major insurance company executives and underwriters as a keen insurance expert who was most capable of negotiating and representing his customers in all aspects of their insurance programs. In addition to his professional career Bob was elected to the Brookline, MA Board of Selectman, where he served as its Chairman for his last 8 years of service.
The next generation - Passing on the tradition
Bob's son, J. Bruce Cochrane, joined R.C. Cochrane Insurance Agency in January 1977. Instilled with the same values, commitment to client services, and sense of purpose as his father, Bruce embarked upon his insurance career with zeal, dedication, and a mission to further develop the organization to keep pace with the dynamic and ever-changing economy, insurance environment, and the needs of Cochrane & Porter's clients.
Richard Porter, a long-time insurance associate and contemporary of Bob Cochrane, joined the agency in 1981 when it assumed its current name of Cochrane & Porter Insurance Agency, Inc. Although Bob Cochrane and Richard Porter are both now deceased, their indelible influence and personal characteristics remain deep within the core values of the organization.
Bruce Cochrane continues to successfully carry out the mission of Cochrane & Porter on both a personal and corporate level. With close to 30 years of insurance experience, Bruce has followed in his father's footsteps. He has become a leader in his industry in serving his Cochrane & Porter clients, his insurance industry peers, and his community. Under his leadership, Cochrane & Porter has grown to serve its expanded personal and commercial lines client base and has developed industry specific insurance expertise in workers' compensation alternative markets, commercial printing and dry cleaning.
In 1999, Cochrane & Porter became the first independent agency to join Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services, LLC. The Alliance is a new-age, exclusive membership organization with a sole purpose of supporting and perpetuating the future of community-based independent insurance agencies. Members share the same professional values, ethics, and commitment to customer service. Through its membership in Renaissance Alliance, Cochrane & Porter maintains its independence while providing premier financial products combined with the highest of professional standards and trusting client relationships.