How did you get into insurance?
I come from a true insurance family. My great grandfather had an agency, and I am third generation at Devette & Ford. Originally, I tried to run away from the industry. I went to school for technical communication and considered becoming a librarian. After graduating, I pivoted and worked as a web and graphic designer and then finally a grant writer for Goodwill. At that time, my father approached me about coming to the agency to help him, and I took the opportunity. All of these roles inform the work that I do now.
We spend a lot of time serving vacation rental properties as well as high-value homes. My role at the agency touches a lot of different areas, as I am a producer and CSR as well as beginning to learn more about the administration and operations.
No two days are the same in insurance. It has been interesting to adapt to the changing technology trends while staying loyal to the old school way of doing things, which is typically how many of our customers prefer to interact.
How important is relationship building with your underwriters?
Building a close working partnership with your underwriter is critical. As an insurance advisor, you need to understand the risk and what insurers offer the best coverage to protect it. Many times, it is me picking up the phone when I have a question.
We also work hard to do a lot of front-end underwriting and provide the carrier with the most information we can. Devette & Ford visits any property we would be quoting, and my father’s background in civil engineering and construction is invaluable to build trust from both a client and carrier perspective.
The relationship between insurers and agents is special. We will always remember the help our carriers provided after our hometown was hit during a terrible storm. They supported us through a challenging time. The pandemic is no different—the carrier community is fantastic.
What advice would you give to a new agent entering the industry?
I’d recommend a new agent have a high sense of curiosity and align to a mentor that can fast track this learning process. My dad’s guidance has been instrumental in my success as an agent.
I also think it is important to educate yourself about things outside your industry. For instance, basic knowledge of construction or automobiles can lend itself to speaking with your clients. Being able to speak the language is critical and helps alleviate potential confusion.
Where would you like your agency to head in the future?
I want to continue the strong legacy of what my grandfather and father built in our community. We want to leverage technology and provide our clients with solutions that they would be most comfortable using. This does not mean that we are allergic to technology—we just want to empathize with our clients and align to their unique expectations.
Add new comment