Insurance broker Vays Sarwar has opened the first Brightway Insurance franchise agency in Washington state here. 

Called Brightway, The Sarwar Agency, the office is located in a 1,000-square-foot space at 2901 N. Argonne Road, Ste. 3, in Spokane Valley, says a press release from Jacksonville, Fla.-based Brightway Insurance. 

The office offers policies from more than 15 insurance carriers, says the press release. 

Brightway Insurance is one of the largest independent property-and-casualty insurance agencies and has offices nationwide, says the release.

Sarwar says his agency, which opened Aug. 14, offers homeowner, automobile, and umbrella insurance. Within three months, it will be able to sell other insurance lines, including boat, recreational vehicle, commercial, flood, and motorcycle coverage, he says.

Sarwar says he is the new agency’s only employee and works full time, but he hopes to add a few employees soon. 

Sarwar previously worked in the restaurant industry and spent the last 10 years working in management, the press release says. Born in Afghanistan, he moved to Russia at age 3, then emigrated to the United States when he was 14. 

He graduated from Rogers High School in 2005, then attended Eastern Washington University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business management.