Introducing Tom Downey, insurance agent for MTTA

Born in 1953, Tom Downey started in the insurance business in 1975 upon graduation from Carroll College with a BA in business finance and a minor in economics. Tom served as vice-president of Montana International Insurance, Inc. from 1977 to 1986 and from 1979 to 1985, he managed the personal lines insurance unit. From 1987 to 1991, Tom worked for G. S. Financial Services, Inc., a company having three operating divisions, Credit, Insurance, and Warranty.

In 1979, Tom earned his Charter Property Casualty Underwriter Degree, the highest degree available within the property casualty industry. He earned his Certified Insurance Counselor Dgree in 1908.

After taking over the management of the existing credit company, Tom started a new insurance agency and a new warranty service company. He sold the credit division and then purchased a major interest in G. S. Insurance in April 1991 and served as president.

Montana International joined forces with FBS Bartels agency of Butte in January of 1993 and merged to form a new company of which Tom is both agent and partner.

Tom has been a licensed insurance consultant with the State of Montana since 1980 and has also been an insurance instructor since 1978. He has taught at the CIC Institutes in Seattle, Washington, and Fargo, North Dakota, and at various locations throughout Montana. He has also taught the Risk Management and Insurance class at Carroll college for two years and was guest instructor for three years during Business Week at Montana State University-Bozeman.

Tom has been chairman of the Butte Kids Count Committee since 1995 and is presently co-chairman of the Butte YMCA Capital Campaign. He was the Director of the Butte YMCA from 1989 to 1993 and president of the Helena YMCA in 1982. A past president of the Montana Insurance Education Foundation, Tom is also a past chairman of the Western Region National Advisory Council of Travelers Insurance Company as well as having been a board member for the Independent Agents Associates of Montana.

Tom and his wife, Wendy, have four children, Levi, Sarah, Anne, and Beth.

Tom began insuring towing companies in 1977 with Milo Casagrande (Milo's Towing in Butte) as his first client. Over the years, working closely with Milo and his other clients in the towing business, he developed an expertise in providing insurance protection for the towing industry.

Chosen as the agent of record to represent the Montana Tow Truck Association in 1992, Tom worked with MTTA on the Professional Tow Truck Act that was successfully passed by the Montana Legislature. This act establishes the uniform standards of insurance requirements as well as other specific requirements of towin companies operating in Montana.

Attending association meetings and the annual MTTA Tow Convention has been a part of Tom's commitment to the association for over 10 years. Montana International maintains a toll free phone number (800-735-8257) to assist towing companies with insurance-related questions, providing answers to towing companies even if they are not insured by the company.

MTTA feels privileged to have such a dedicated and knowledgable individual assisting towers with their insurance needs. Plan to attend the 2001 Tow Convention and meet Tom Downey, a favorite friend of MTTA.

A Member of Payne Financial Group, Inc.

The county seat of Silver Bow county, Butte is 65 miles northwest of Bozeman between Rocker and Homestake Pass along Interstate 90 near Deer Lodge National Forest and Deer Lodge Pass. Butte is the home of Montana Tech of the University of Montana.  Click here for more information about Butte.