The Roanoke Agency was founded in 1935 by Curt Hamann, then president of J.E. Bernard & Company, a prominent customs brokerage/freight forwarding firm. Mr. Hamann saw a need for readily available insurance and bonding services within his industry.

The company took its name from the Roanoke building in Chicago, where the first office was opened. In 1952, Mr. Hamann opened a New York office under the name of East Coast Agency. In 1963, Roanoke Agency was incorporated as Roanoke Agency, Inc.

Between 1963 and 1976, Roanoke expanded:

1972 - Opened Los Angeles office
1975 - Acquired an agency in Houston
1976 - Opened the Miami office

Then, in 1976, Roanoke Agency, Inc. and East Coast Agency merged. The merger was followed by a succession of acquisitions and new office openings:

In May, 1998, the U.S. operations of Trade Insurance Services were merged with Roanoke Brokerage Services, forming the largest U.S. insurance brokerage operation specializing in customs bonds and marine cargo insurance for the international trade community. Roanoke Trade continues to provide and develop innovative insurance products designed for the unique needs of our clients.

Roanoke Trade is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to better serve our clients insurance needs wherever they are located. In Massachusetts we are licensed in the name of Roanoke Trade Insurance, Inc.

Since 1978, Roanoke Trade has been an authorized Carnet Service Provider for the United States Council for International Business (USCIB). Roanoke Trade gained this appointment by the USCIB due to its extensive knowledge of international trade and its reputation as a leader in the industry.  Carnets allow for the temporary importation of commercial samples and professional equipment into over 75 countries and territories worldwide without having to pay duties or value-added taxes.

Roanoke Trade’s Carnet service bureaus in major cities throughout the U.S. enable a greater number of U.S. exporters, international business travelers and exhibitors to benefit from same-day service and a Carnet service network second to none. Our Online Carnet Voyager and software options are presently leading the world with state of the art Carnet application technology.