Learn more about Kinghorn Insurance.

Our History

Kinghorn Insurance Agency began operation in 1898 as a small operation in the back of a hardware store in Beaufort, SC. Beaufort remained its sole location until 1973 when it opened a second location on Palmetto Bay Road on Hilton Head Island. In 1977, the office manager retired and James L Rowe took over. In 1992, a third location was opened in Bluffton and in 1999 a fourth office was opened in Ridgeland, SC.

In 2000, the business had grown substantially and had over 70 employees in four locations. With the business growth, the Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Ridgeland locations were sold to a bank holding company with Rowe continuing to manage the three locations under the name of Kinghorn Insurance Agency. The Beaufort location was managed by Rowe’s longtime partner and friend, Charles Webb, and operated under the name of Kinghorn Insurance of Beaufort. In 2011, the bank holding company sold off the insurance division to an international insurance firm. Rowe remained in the position until 2012.

In July 2013 Rowe and his longtime employee and confidante, Bill Fuge, began Kinghorn Insurance from scratch with one office at Fording Island Road, Bluffton, SC. Shortly thereafter, they were joined by partners Evan Jeffords, a Florence native, and Rowe’s daughter, Melissa Layman, a Hilton Head native.

Insurance you can trust.

Today Kinghorn has grown substantially with 40+ employees in four locations representing many prominent regional and national insurance companies and brokerage firms. We are here and ready to help you.