Our History
The beginnings of the Rua-Dumont-Audet Insurance Agency, Inc. can be traced back to 1908 and the establishment of the A.L. Audet Insurance Agency, founded by Armel L. Audet, Sr. In 1969 Christopher P. Audet, the grandson of Armel L. Audet, Sr graduated with a bachelors degree from Stonehill College and joined the family business. Chris has since formally retired but is still spending a few days a week at our agency.
The formation of Giroux Insurance & Real Estate dates back to the mid 1920’s, established by Amiee Giroux.
In 1989, the long established Giroux-Audet Insurance Agency, Inc. merged with the Rua Insurance Agency, Inc. Rua Insurance was comprised of John S. Rua and his two sons Jack Rua and Jason M. Rua.
John S. Rua is an industry veteran, having worked on both the Company and Agency sides of the industry. He held commercial lines underwriting positions with Commercial Union Insurance Company and Royal Insurance Company. In 1971, John S. Rua returned to the insurance agency side of the business working for a large commercial lines agency. He was elevated to Vice President and partner with the firm. John has also retired but spends one day a week working with our agency.
The next generation of the Rua family, Jack and Jason Rua continued the tradition established by their father. Jack graduated from University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth with a bachelors degree in Business Management and established himself as a community leader. He served as the Chairman of the Board at the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce in the year 2000 and Chairman of Fall River Celebrates America Waterfront Festival in 1992. He held the offices of President of The Friends Heritage State Park, and President of the Diabetes Association of Greater Fall River. He was Vice President of the Board of Directors of theUnited Way of Greater Fall River, and served as Chairman of the United Way Annual Campaign. Jack M. (Jack) passed in a tragic automobile accident in 2003 and left an indelible mark on our agency.
Jason M. Rua, the current President and CEO of our agency, graduated from Bridgewater State College with a bachelors degree in Management. He is very involved in the community, having served on the board of directors of the Greater Fall River United Way, and Chair of the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce. He has also served as Chair of the SouthCoast Insurance Agents Association and the Somerset Insurance Underwriters Association. He is a past member of the board of trustees for the Marine Museum at Fall River, serving as Vice President. Jason currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees at SouthCoast Health, Board Member of People, Inc, as a Corporator of Mechanics Cooperative Bank, and a member of the Board of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.
Jason obtained his Certified Insurance Counselor designation in 1991. He successfully completed the examination for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Licensed Insurance Advisor in 2000. He also completed the Accredited Advisor in Insurance designation program from the Insurance Institute of America.
The Roland A.Dumont Insurance Agency was founded by Roland Dumont in 1963 He began his career as an agent for Nationwide Insurance Company. He was a licensed real estate agent and he saw the natural progression in providing insurance services for his real estate clients. Michelle A. ( Dumont) Vezina, a graduate of Providence College, joined her father’s agency in September 1984. Michelle has since retired from the insurance industry.
The agency continued its growth and increased market presence in 2005 with the merger of the Giroux-Audet-Rua Insurance Agency, Inc with the R.A. Dumont Insurance Agency, Inc. and becoming the agency as it is known today Rua-Dumont-Audet Insurance Agency Inc (RDA Insurance).
Over the years, the agency has acquired several agencies, including the Teague, Menard and the Fortin Insurance Agencies, M.D. Perry Insurance Agency, Nagle Insurance Agency, and most recently Southern New England Insuarnce Agency.
In 2003 the Giroux-Audet-Rua Insurance Agency was honored as Rough Notes Magazine Community Service Insurance Agency of the Year Award. This award is a national recognition of the dedication to our community given by the agency.