About Us

WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR AWHILE SO WE'VE SEEN IT ALL

With our experience and connections with multiple insurance companies, we can provide you with a wide range of options that other companies might not have.

Oliver L.E. Soden and his descendants have been protecting Jamesburg with the best insurance since the “Silent Era”. Please enjoy our first-ever commercial from the 1930s where you’ll see our founder himself exiting the same office we still use today.

MEET THE SODEN AGENCY

The Oliver L. E. Soden Agency was established in 1925. Back then, life was simpler, but people still had a need for insurance to protect themselves from the losses that occur from unexpected events. Over the years, we have naturally added more services as technology and business practices changed. Now, we operate as an independent agency that works with multiple insurance companies so that we can provide you with a range of options that best suit your unique needs.

Every customer that visits our Soden Agency receives the same level of care whether they need renters insurance that NJ leasing agents require or they have just bought a home and need property insurance. We also offer both personal and business auto insurance coverage along with risk management services that help you minimize the potential for losses.

While our company has come a long way since it was first established, we never forget our history. This is why we keep our phone lines open 24-hours a day and encourage our agents to develop a close relationship with every client. We believe that getting to know our clients is the best way to ensure that you receive the most options for protecting your family, business and property from financial losses. Now that you know a little about us, we are eager to begin getting to know you so that our agents can begin working to identify your needs. Drop by our office or give us a call today so that we can connect you with your best insurance choices.

KNOW OUR STORY

Oliver L.E. Soden had originally planned to be a dentist and enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania in 1916. However, following the passing of his father, Oliver was forced to come home to take care of his mother and family. He took a job as a ticket agent in the town of Jamesburg, which had two passenger stations at the time, and also sold insurance on the side to make additional money. However, after a few years, the railroad gave him an ultimatum: either he stop selling insurance or leave the railroad. He took a chance and decided to commit to insurance full-time and founded the agency in 1925. His son, Oliver L.E. Soden, Jr (header photo) joined the agency in the 1940s. Oliver’s sons, Bob Soden and Hal Soden joined in the 1970s and ran the agency after Oliver Soden’s retirement.  Bob Soden retired in 2020 after a long and successful career. Today the agency is run by the 3rd and 4th generations – Oliver L.E. Soden, Jr’s son, Hal Soden, and his son, Hal Jr., along with Bob Soden’s son, Bob, Jr.

OUR TEAM

Hal Soden Sr. Headshot

HAL SODEN, Sr.,CIC, CRM

PRINCIPAL

Hal Soden Jr. Headshot

HAL SODEN, JR.,CPCU, AAI, CIC, CRM, CWCA

PRINCIPAL

Bob Soden Jr. Headshot

BOB SODEN, JR.,AAI, CPIA, MEL-ARMC

PRINCIPAL

Gail Toscano Headshot

GAIL TOSCANO CIC, CPIW, CRIS

DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE OPERATIONS

Michelle Saito Headshot

MICHELLE SAITO

HR & ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Gregory Wright Headshot

GREGORY S. WRIGHT, CIC, AAI, CMIP

SENIOR RISK ADVISOR

Carla Soden Headshot

CARLA SODEN, CIC, CISR

PERSONAL LINES DIVISION MANAGER

Chris Tooker Headshot

CHRIS TOOKER, CIC, CRIS

COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

STEPHANIE BOYER, AINS, CISR

COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

MELISSA WOLF

COMMERICAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

BRIDGETTE LUCKEY, CIC, CISR

COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

JAMIE ALLIGOOD, AAI, CIC

COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

KIRSTON WEDDLE, CISR

COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Christine Richman Headshot

CHRISTINE RICHMAN

COMMERCIAL ASSISTANT ACCOUNT MANAGER

Christine Reid Headshot

CHRISTINE REID, CISR

PERSONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Monica Grimes Headshot

MONICA GRIMES, CISR

PERSONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Theresa Starek Headshot

THERESA STAREK

PERSONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

SUSAN PERCELLO

PERSONAL ASSISTANT ACCOUNT MANAGER

ANGELA WATSON

PERSONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

REBEKAH KIMBLE

PERSONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Chip Smith Headshot

CHIP SMITH, AU

RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISOR

Matthew Dewey Headshot

MATTHEW DEWEY, CWCA

RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISOR

KEITH KAMINSKI, CWCA

RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISOR

Jonathan Hernandez Headshot

JONATHAN FERNANDEZ

RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISOR

AnnMarie Layer Headshot

ANN MARIE LAYER

PERSONAL INSURANCE ADVISOR

Jo-Anny Murray Headshot

JO-ANN MURRAY

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS

AUTUMN SODEN

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

KRISI ARCILLA

PROCESSING ASSISTANT

ALLISON WITT

COMMERCIAL LINES ACCOUNT MANAGER ASSISTANT