Burke & Burke Insurance: A Family Tradition of Protection Since 1985
For nearly four decades, Burke & Burke Insurance has been safeguarding what matters most to families and businesses across Virginia. Founded in 1985, this family-owned and operated agency has built its reputation on personalized service, deep expertise, and a genuine commitment to client education.
Kim Oztuna's journey with the company reflects the agency's welcoming, family-oriented culture. After working in the restaurant industry, she made an unexpected career transition in 1992. "The owner of the restaurant I worked at sold the business and opened an Allstate agency in Annandale," Oztuna explains. "I joined her in February 1992 to work as a customer service representative, and the rest is history!" Her three-decade tenure speaks volumes about the company's values and work environment.
At the heart of Burke & Burke's approach is their guiding philosophy: "There is better coverage behind our shield." This isn't just a slogan; it represents the agency's commitment to providing comprehensive protection across home, life, auto, and business insurance. With a team boasting over 100 years of combined insurance experience, clients benefit from knowledge that can only come from decades of dedicated service.
What sets Burke & Burke apart is their educational approach to insurance. Oztuna finds her greatest inspiration in "educating my clients and providing them with the right protection for their needs." She notes with pride, "I have had many clients leave saying that no one has ever taken the time to explain their coverage to them, and they were extremely thankful."
This personal touch addresses a critical gap in the industry. As Oztuna observes, "Insurance is something that everyone NEEDS, but many don't understand it. They just pay a premium because the law or their mortgage requires it." Burke & Burke refuses to let clients remain in the dark. "At Burke & Burke Insurance, we pride ourselves on you being more than just a policy number to us— you are a valued client," she emphasizes.
The agency's family atmosphere extends beyond client relationships to the team itself. "Many of us have been working together for many years, some for over two decades," Oztuna shares. "We are more like family than just co-workers. That in itself makes for a fun workday." They are family-friendly as well, adding kid-approved mascots to their branding. Sir Burke is "our resident risk vanquisher" and Mischief is "our little pesky dragon friend who causes a bit of peril along the way," explains Courtney Ruhling, Director of Operations and Marketing. "They represent insurance coverage and the perils we all face in our day to day," she adds.
Oztuna herself embodies the community spirit that Burke & Burke values. A mother of four grown children and grandmother of three, she dedicated 22 years to parent volunteering, from running elementary school programs to managing high school concession stands. Now, she's channeling that same energy into local networking groups, expanding connections throughout the region.
With four locations across Virginia—Alexandria, Annandale, Fredericksburg, and Bowling Green—Burke & Burke continues to grow while maintaining its personalized approach. Their team of experienced, licensed associates stands ready to help new clients "join our family" and discover the difference that true partnership makes in protecting life's most important assets.
