Thirty years ago, Barbara Miller took the risk to step out on her own and to open her own business, American Auto Insurance, to service clients in our town who were being underserved. Miller was convinced excellent customer service, coupled with multiple insurance companies as an Independent Insurance Agent, would provide customers with the best insurance coverage available at the lowest price. With little hesitation, much prayer, and significant risk personally and professionally, Miller developed a business plan, acquired a building, and stepped into the uncertainty of being self-employed. With no guarantee of success, she was convinced that if the core principles were executed with excellence, the business would succeed. And she was right.
She started her career as an insurance professional working for another successful agency in our town. With her friend and partner in this venture, Mae Brown, they opened the doors in July of 1995. Brown has been with American Auto since Day 1 and is celebrating her 30-year anniversary as well.
The core principles Miller believed in and instilled in her staff are as follows:
• Treat customers with dignity and respect.
• Check multiple companies to ensure the customer receives the best coverage for the lowest available premium.
• Go above and beyond to ensure our customers know they are appreciated and valued.
• Do whatever it takes to keep the customer…. answer the phone, take extra time to explain coverages, greet them with a smile, stay late if you need to, and don’t let the customer leave unhappy.
Barbara died in January 2006, but her legacy continues through two of her dedicated and faithful Office Managers, Brown and Jennifer Peters, who she personally trained and mentored. Both ladies, along with other staff, have held to the vision and mission of American Auto, and because of their dedication and unwavering commitment to serve our community, we are proud to reach the significant milestone of being in business 30 years.
To celebrate this significant accomplishment and as a thank you to our community, American Auto of Greenville is throwing a party on August 9, 2025 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. There will be a food truck with snow cones and hot dogs, raffle giveaways for gift cards, American Auto swag, school supplies for our community and more as supplies last.
