The story of Gardner Insurance Agency begins with our founder, Bob Gardner – the original Smile-maker.

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Bob and his wife Carolyn were graduates of Central High School in Madison, IN, and were married in August 1951. Bob joined the US Navy in 1953 and was stationed in Norfolk, VA. In 1956 their family moved back to Madison and Bob began work at Indiana-Kentucky Electric (IKE). He obtained his insurance license in 1968 and began working with Motorist Mutual Insurance Company while continuing full-time work at IKE. Shortly after that, the Gardner family moved to central Indiana where Bob operated as a field representative with Motorist Mutual Insurance Company. From 1971-1976 he continued work in the Insurance field with The Herman Brown Insurance Agency and Milwaukee Insurance Company. The Gardner Family moved back to Madison in 1976 where Bob began work at McCauley’s Insurance Agency.

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On October 1, 1979, Bob and Carolyn opened Gardner Insurance Agency on West Street next to the Madison Courier. Carolyn joined Bob at the agency marking a significant change for their family as she had previously worked at home raising their 7 children – Mike, Robin, Susie, Peggy, Debby, Joe, and Steve. Robin joined her parents at the agency on October 1, 1980, working part-time to offset Carolyn’s schedule. Robin credits her father, Bob, with teaching her all she knows about the Insurance industry.

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“I had the best teacher ever – my dad was so good at teaching me and sharing the basics…

and being a small business in Madison was so fun – Bob knew everybody!”

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Robin was made a partner in Gardner Insurance Agency in 1988. This partnership continued with Bob and Carolyn until Bob’s retirement in July 1994 when GIA was incorporated. Robin’s son, Robert G. Goodknight, joined the agency in 2013 and represented the 3rd generation of our local, family-owned and operated independent insurance agency. He brought his passion of providing customer service and leading teams with him from his time in retail management.  His time spent as a kid measuring properties with his grandpa “Bob” and listening to the kitchen table discussions between his mother “Robin” and her father “Bob” around the business of operating an independent insurance agency would impact his career choice three decades later when he brought his family back to Madison from Florida.  The core values, ethics, and commitment to customer service live on today and continue to be the guiding principles of Gardner Insurance that were established in 1979.

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Serving and protecting Madison area families and businesses for over 40 years, Gardner Insurance Agency prides itself on quality service, client loyalty, and helping make the best choices for you, our customers. For the best in business, home, life, auto and more, trust the team at Gardner Insurance Agency – Smile-makers since 1979!