About & The Bartley Insurance Difference
Big insurance companies tend to treat people like policy numbers. We do things differently. We combine years of experience with a personal touch to help you find the right path forward, keeping things simple, honest, and focused on your goals.
Before there was an office sign, there was a dining room table, a stack of policies, and neighbors who needed someone they could trust with big life decisions.
Rooted in everyday life, not boardrooms.
The early days were simple, but over time, the Bartley name became a quiet promise in the community: when something goes wrong, you won't call a stranger in a distant call center. You'll call someone who knows your kid's names, your street, and your story.
That spirit still guides every decision today, even as the agency has grown and added new carriers, tools, and team members.
Meet Our Founder
In 1983, Steve Bartley founded Bartley Insurance Services in Jacksonville, NC, on a foundational promise: treat every client like family. As a locally rooted MassMutual career agent and independent broker for healthcare insurance - individual, group, and Medicare - Steve prioritized listening over selling, ensuring every recommendation was tailored to the individual’s needs.
Steve’s commitment to service extended far beyond insurance. As a pillar of the Onslow County community, he served on the Board of Education, led Onslow Academy as Headmaster, and was a devoted member of Trinity Methodist Church before relocating to Tennessee. Throughout his career, he earned high recognition from industry leaders like MassMutual and Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Today, we continue his legacy of trust, transparency, and advocacy, providing our neighbors with clear answers and genuine peace of mind.
Here to listen, explain, and walk every step with you.
Local support you can call, visit, or email whenever life changes.
Bartley Insurance isn't a logo or a slogan. It's a set of people who show up when life feels uncertain.
Owner & Successor
A native of Onslow County and a proud graduate of East Carolina University, Bill Mercer joined Bartley Insurance Services in 2009. Working closely under founder Steve Bartley, Bill embraced the "family-first" framework that has defined the agency since 1983. In 2023, Bill officially succeeded Steve at the helm, continuing the tradition of providing best-in-class service alongside his own family.
Bill’s commitment to the region is reflected in his extensive board service. Since 2016, he has served as Chairman of the Onslow Advisory for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern NC (BGCENC), where he also serves as a Corporate Board Member.
Licensed Agent & Client Advocate
A Jacksonville native, Drew Mercer joined Bartley Insurance Services in 2023, bringing six years of industry experience and a deep-seated desire to serve his hometown. After graduating from East Carolina University in 2019 with a degree in Applied Economics, Drew returned to work alongside Bill and Betsy, ensuring the agency’s founding values of integrity and hard work continue for a new generation.
Drew’s work is rooted in his faith and a commitment to transparency. Whether he’s helping a family find the right coverage or advising a local business, he is passionate about providing the expertise needed to make informed financial decisions.
Operations & Client Relations
After spending over two decades shaping lives as an educator in Lenoir County, Betsy Mercer brought her passion for people to Bartley Insurance. Her background in education gifted her with unique patience, organization, and a "service-first" mindset that our clients experience every day.
Betsy treats every client like a member of her own family, ensuring that every request is handled promptly and with a genuine smile. Beyond her professional role, Betsy is deeply rooted in the Trinity Methodist Church.
To us, you aren't a file—you're a life. We see the hard work of a new business owner and the quiet stress of a family caring for an aging parent. We're here for the real-life moments that keep you up at night, and the ones that make it all worth it.
We ask about your life before we talk about coverage. And we check back in as your life changes.
You'll reach a familiar voice in the office, not an automated maze that keeps you waiting.
We take time to hear your worries, budgets, and hopes before we talk about limits and deductibles.
Call, stop by, or schedule a review. We'll meet you where you are, in person or over the phone.
You will never be just another ticket in a queue. When you walk through the door or call the office, we are already on your side.
Bartley Insurance grew up on the same main streets, ball fields, and church parking lots we insure today.
We see our clients at Friday night games, local diners, and charity runs. That closeness keeps our advice grounded and our service personal.
Independent, community-rooted agency.
Serving families across generations.
When it matters, we show up in person.
We prioritize proactive community outreach, helping our clients navigate their insurance benefits before they even contact their carrier.
Best-in-Class Customer Service
When life feels shaky, you deserve a calm, patient human voice - not an automated menu.
Our phones are answered by the same friendly team you see in the office, not a third-party service.
If we miss you, we call back. No tickets, no bots.
We slow down, answer every question, and translate "policy speak" into everyday language.
You should never feel rushed or embarrassed to ask.
Claims usually come with shock, grief, or confusion. We walk with you, step by step, until things are settled.
You're not expected to navigate it alone.
Bring your questions, renewal notices, or current policies. We'll walk through everything together, line by line.