ABOUT US

About Us

The Insurance Center of Kansas is an independent insurance agency serving the Dodge City area for more than 25 years. We’re a full-service property and casualty independent insurance agency. We represent several major insurance providers, giving us the ability to provide the most competitive quotes on a variety of insurance products. We specialize in helping client who have difficulty purchasing insurance from other providers. Many of our staff are fluent in both Spanish and English to make serving you easier. Whether you are an established resident of southwest Kansas, or just “passin” through, stop in and see us for the insurance policy that’s right for YOU!

Business Building — Dodge City, KS — Insurance Center of Kansas LLC

Our Story

FINDING OPPORTUNITY THAT WAS HIDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF US

In 1992, Don Raney made a decision which changed his future. Don had been in the insurance business for 30 years, but had lost his job as an insurance salesman for a large, national insurance company due to health reasons ten years earlier. A more recent run for public office had been unsuccessful. With family savings nearly exhausted, he had purchased a small local independent insurance agency which operated from the basement of the Dodge City Post office, but it too was struggling. His family had been getting by on savings, but now his situation was desperate. He needed a plan to provide more financial stability for his family.


It was on a Friday that Don made an observation that would turn things around for his insurance agency and became the start of a thriving and successful business that not only positively impacted his family but also the community where he lived. Don noticed there were increasing numbers of migrant workers from the newly opened meat processing plant coming to the Post Office on Friday afternoons to send weekly paychecks home to their families. They would sometimes stop at his little agency while there to inquire about auto insurance. The seasonal workers needed short term policies, but once issued their policies would usually lapse when the work season was over. He was fortunate to have a partner, Berna Marquez, who was fluent in both English and Spanish. This helped to bridge a gap for the workers who often struggled with the language barrier. While some agencies were turning these folks away, Don decided to embrace them.

Business Owners — Dodge City, KS — Insurance Center of Kansas LLC

He brought in new insurance providers specializing in this type of insurance and started writing policies for whatever length of time his customers could afford — one month, and sometimes six-month policies. Don was determined to cater to this overlooked market to rebuild his agency and make an impact for this community. Even though Don couldn’t speak a word of Spanish, he always shared a smile and a story, and built a positive connection with customers. It wasn’t long before the business really took off. Today this specialized market is still very important to the agency, and in 1999, TICKS moved to a new location with more room to accommodate the growth. 


The Insurance Center of Kansas is the quintessential family-run business. Berna’s sister, Angie Mirt, joined the agency in 2003. Berna and Angie were instrumental in the success of the company from its very beginning. With them, Don was able to support his family and develop a business that became a centerpiece to the rapid growth Dodge City was experiencing. 

Don’s wife Sharron eventually retired from her job with the school system, where she accompanied the orchestra for over 30 years and entertained audiences in summer Musicals with daughter Mischel. After retirement, she assisted husband Don with running the company, and eventually took over in 2008 when Don experienced health problems. It was 2011 that Nelson Mirt, Angie’s husband, joined the agency to assist Sharron in the day to day operation and management of the business. 


Don passed away in 2015. Oldest son Mark became involved to help Sharron modernize the agency. Under Mark Raney’s leadership, updates were made to systems and processes to better cater to the next generation of customers in Central Kansas and beyond. 

Man on his Office — Dodge City, KS — Insurance Center of Kansas LLC

Sharron Raney passed away in 2019, and Berna in 2020. Mark and his two siblings, Matt and Mischell, now have full ownership of the company with Mark as managing partner. Mark’s wife Toni oversees the books while Angie and Nelson Mirt still run the day-to-day operations and take care of customers with the same personalized care as they have for many years. The business continues to thrive and now offers additional products to meet the needs of a broader audience. 


The new members of the Dodge City community keep coming to The Insurance Center of Kansas for their insurance needs today just as they did in early years when Don and Berna got started in the basement of the Post Office. Many of those early customers are still with us today! We’re thankful for our many loyal customers and look forward to continuing to serve Dodge City and the surrounding communities with an expanded array of insurance solutions for the people of Southwest Kansas!

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