History

My grandfather, Herb Shinberg, was a successful real estate developer. In 1922 he and my grandmother, Dorothy, were driving in Chicago along Broadway in their Model T. Suddenly a pedestrian stepped out from behind a train column and walked directly into the side of their car. Grandpa Shinberg stopped immediately and with the aid of another motorist they rushed the injured man to the local hospital. His auto insurance took care of the hospital and medical bills throughout the man's recovery. In addition, he received $1000 to help his wife and 8 children.

Herb's life goals were permanently altered by the insurance company's remarkable treatment of the injured man and his family. He thought, "That's something I would like to be part of!" In 1929, the Shinbergs moved to Lansing and purchased a home 5 blocks south of the Capital. It was here that they began raising their family and building an insurance agency that would focus on personal attention.

Grandpa loved his family, his clients and the insurance business. To him it gave, "sincerity of purpose."   He had a burning resolve to focus on doing what was good for others.

Herb built Shinberg Insurance by standing outside the gates of the Oldsmobile factory at quitting time and passing out his business cards. By 1950, the business had outgrown the office space in their home. Subsequently it was remodeled to become solely an office for the agency. In the 1950's Grandpa's son, Bob and sons-in law, Ted Levy and Sy Lurie, joined the agency and in the early 1970's I, Herb's grandson became part of the family business.

In 2000, we made the decision to help our clients even further by opening Clearcreek Mortgage of Michigan, LLC. This company, while totally autonomus,  provides residential and commercial lending for Shinberg's customers and general public.

To round out our ability to help our clients in all matters of their family financial package, we started Shinberg Planning Group, Inc. in 2005. Through this company we help families develop their estate plan using wills and trusts.

After 72 wonderful years at the original home of Shinberg Insurance we outgrew our space and moved into our new offices on Abbott Road in East Lansing. This   site increased our work area, ensured ample parking and accessibility for all of our clients.

Grandpa Shinberg retired from the agency in 1982, and Uncle Sy in 1990.   My father, Ted, is still involved and in keeping with the family tradition, I'm proud to say that the fourth generation of the Shinberg family joined the agency in 2001, my son Jeff. As we continue to grow and prosper we keep Grandpa's "sincerity of purpose" at heart, and our clients interest our foundation.

 
Chuck Levy
President