How did you get into insurance?
I have always been motivated by wanting to help people, so insurance was an attractive industry. I got my start in insurance as a licensed producer at State Farm.
From there, I moved into working as an independent agent, and I love my job. I have enjoyed being able to learn about my client’s specific needs and think critically about how I can create an insurance program that best supports them. There are so many variables to each policy, and in turn I am constantly learning.
For any agent entering the industry, being patient is critical. I felt like it took me a couple years to gain confidence in the different insurance products and really feel like I knew what I was talking about. The career is completely worth it, and I find it gratifying. The key is to focus on taking care of your customers, and success will follow.
How has the pandemic changed communication channels?
Our client demographic is still adapting to the idea of using virtual tools like video conferencing, so I often offer to make the journey to them and practice good social distancing while meeting with them. I always prefer in-person meetings and now find it more challenging having to rely on other communication methods. We take pride in the level of service we provide to our clients and go out of our way to exceed their expectations. In some cases, this includes hand-delivering policies.
I am beginning to do more outreach as the economy opens back up. A colleague who started during the 2008 recession commented on how the economic headwinds are different this time because, as insurance agents, we can offer explicit value to our clients.
Recently, I read a lot about Millennials not wanting to talk to anyone when they are purchasing goods and services. I don’t think that is necessarily the case. When I speak to a young person who is purchasing a home, they often don’t have a clear idea of the process, so I can help guide them through it. Someone helping you through these big life moments can make the process enjoyable rather than daunting. Ultimately, we should always look to enhance the personal touch in insurance for our customers when it matters most.
How do you support your clients during post-issuance transactions?
I enjoy providing my clients with concierge-style service. I leverage technology where applicable, but ultimately I take the approach that is best for meeting the needs of each of my clients. I try to get a sense of who I am working with and understand their comfort level with technology. For my clients that are technologically confident, I introduce them to some of the carrier’s self-service capabilities, but many clients still appreciate working with me and my team directly.
I also appreciate carriers that have effective mobile apps for claims processing. It can make the process so much easier and helps to streamline the process.
Add new comment