By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Ever since he started working as an insurance agent 11 years ago, Chelsea’s Scott Weygand wanted to be the person his neighbors came to for their insurance needs.

“I wanted to be the hometown agent,” Weygand said. “When I chose Chelsea to locate my agency, I wanted to be the hometown agent down here.”

To that end, Weygand is in the process of rebranding himself as an independent agent instead of a captive agent. As of April 6, Weygand became a Hometown Agent with Weygand Insurance Agency.

As an independent agent, Weygand is now able to represent different insurance companies, such as Safeco Insurance and Progressive Insurance.

“With the captive company, I feel like I maxed out my growth potential,” Weygand said. “This way, we can have more options for everybody.”

Weygand’s agency is still based in Chelsea in the same location, 398 Chesser Drive, Suite 1, but he is also recruiting more agents to plant in different cities.

“I’m recruiting other agents that have the same mindset of being a Hometown Agent,” Weygand said. “So far, I have four agents including myself. We’re trying to build the business so we can spread out and get plugged into communities.”

Weygand said his new website, Hometownagent.net, is set to launch soon.

Weygand is involved in his community in various capacities. He serves on the executive board for Owens House, is chairman for Chelsea’s planning and zoning commission, and is in the Kiwanis Club and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce.

“I enjoy being involved in the community,” he said.

Originally from Homewood, Weygand and his family moved to Chelsea in 2007. He and his wife, Liz, have three children, Maralyn, Emalyn and Laurence.

Weygand described the area as a tight-knit community, very friendly and as having excellent schools.

“When I decided I wanted to start my own agency, with all the growth down here, it’s silly not to want to locate a business here,” Weygand said. “I definitely see the need and want to continue to be the hometown agent.”

For more information, call Weygand Insurance Agency at 678-4410.