About Bates Insurance Group
Independent advisors. Greenville roots. A commitment to doing right by every client.
Independent
We represent you, not the carriers. This means more options and better rates.
Community-Rooted
Proudly serving Greenville, SC and the Upstate. We're your neighbors.
Experienced
Over 100 years of combined experience across personal and commercial lines.
Our Story
Bates Insurance Group & Advisors was founded on a simple belief: insurance should work for the client, not the other way around. As an independent agency, we have the freedom to shop across dozens of top-rated carriers to find the perfect coverage — at the right price — for every individual, family, and business we serve.
Rooted in the Greenville, South Carolina community, we take pride in building relationships that last. Our clients aren't policy numbers — they're neighbors, friends, and partners. When you call Bates Insurance Group, you get a real person who knows your name, understands your situation, and genuinely cares about protecting what matters most to you.
With over 100 years of combined experience, our team brings deep expertise across personal lines, commercial lines, life insurance, and financial planning. Whether you're insuring your first car, protecting your business, or planning for retirement, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Meet Our Team
Tom Bates
President
With decades of experience in the insurance industry, Tom founded Bates Insurance Group with a vision of providing truly independent, client-focused insurance advice to the Greenville community. His deep knowledge of personal and commercial lines, combined with his commitment to integrity, makes him a trusted advisor to hundreds of families and businesses across the Upstate.
John Burnett Sr.
Chief Operating Officer
John brings a wealth of operational expertise and a passion for excellence to BIG. His background in financial services and insurance operations ensures that every client interaction is seamless, professional, and centered on delivering value. John is dedicated to building lasting relationships and ensuring the agency runs at the highest standard.
What It Means to Be Trusted Choice®
Bates Insurance Group is a proud member of Trusted Choice®, a national association of independent insurance agents and brokers. Trusted Choice® agents are committed to offering customers a choice of insurance companies, a personalized level of service, and advocacy when it matters most.
Unlike captive agents who represent a single insurance company, Trusted Choice® independent agents work on your behalf to shop the market, compare options, and find the best coverage for your unique needs. When your goals change, your Trusted Choice® agent adapts with you — no need to start over with a new agent or company.
As a Trusted Choice® member, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and client-first service. It’s a commitment that reinforces our mission: to protect what matters most to you and your family.
We are also a member of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of South Carolina (Big “I”), the state’s leading trade association for independent insurance professionals. This membership connects us to industry resources, continuing education, and a community of agents dedicated to serving South Carolina consumers with excellence.
About Us — FAQ
Common questions about our agency and team.
While BIG is a growing agency, our team brings over 100 years of combined insurance experience. Our founders, Tom Bates and John Burnett Sr., have spent decades in the industry and bring deep expertise to every client relationship.
Bates Insurance Group is led by Tom Bates (President) and John Burnett Sr. (Chief Operating Officer). Together, they built BIG on the principles of integrity, client-first service, and independent advice.
Captive agents can only sell policies from one company. As independent agents, we have access to dozens of carriers, which means more choices, better rates, and coverage that's truly tailored to you — not to the carrier's bottom line.
'Think BIG' is our motto. It reflects our belief that great insurance protection starts with thinking bigger — bigger options, bigger service, and a bigger commitment to doing right by our clients. BIG also stands for Bates Insurance Group.
We serve both. Our team has extensive experience in personal lines (home, auto, life, health) as well as commercial lines (business insurance, liability, workers' comp, and more).
Ready to Think BIG?
Let’s start a conversation about protecting what matters most.
