The History of MacLennan & Bain

Since 1908, MacLennan & Bain Insurance has been serving the insurance needs of the Northwest Indiana region.  Four founding families began the agency that is known today as MacLennan & Bain Insurance. One of these founding members, Leslie Bain, paved the way for Ross Bain, his son, who continued to work for the agency until 1986. In 1938, Kenneth MacLennan began work at the firm and enjoyed a successful career until his retirement in 1989. His son, John MacLennan, joined in 1960 and continues working today, and in 1985, his grandson Ross MacLennan joined the agency.  “There was a five year period where the three of us worked together, which was very meaningful,” says Ross MacLennan.

Bill Lindburg joined the agency in 1981 and recently Shawn Dickt, Tammy Javor, Michelle Albert, and Jody Anderson became shareholders and officers at MacLennan & Bain Insurance.

Over the years, the business location of MacLennan & Bain Insurance has changed. The agency was located in Gary from 1908 until 1972 when they moved to Merrillville. In 2001, MacLennan & Bain relocated to Valparaiso in the iconic community center building of the Aberdeen business district.

John MacLennan says he has seen the insurance industry change over the decades and as a result, his business has adapted to fill a specialized niche. We have developed an emphasis on serving the health care industry and the liability insurance needs of that industry. It’s a very boutique, very narrow market, and we’ve made a specialization in that arena. We represent all three primary healthcare liability insurance companies in the state of Indiana.  “We insure physicians, hospitals, and surgery centers”.

Although location and focus has been refined over the years, many things at MacLennan & Bain Insurance continue exactly the way it was over a century ago.  Our values, built upon a tradition of commitment, hard work, conservative decisions, financial strength, and specialized care.