DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

Travelers

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Travelers Insurance Company is over 150 years old and has Minnesota roots. In 1853, then secretary of the Minnesota Territory, Alexander Wilkin saw the need for a local company to provide insurance coverage in case of fire. He and 16 other St. Paul businessmen established the St. Paul Fire and Marine Company. In 1866, they expanded insurance protection to include all accidents. According to the Travelers website, two claims of interest from those days include a ticket agent who broke his leg while trying to stop a runaway horse, and a carpenter who broke his collar bone when after getting tangled up in his dance partner’s hoop skirt.

In 1969, Travelers issued the first policy for space flight, lunar exploration, and the Apollo Astronauts.

Thirty years later, Travelers (in a joint effort with Bond and Personal Ins) was the first to offer Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement coverage.

Travelers is represented by over 13,000 independent agencies and brokerages nationwide and they have reps in every U.S. state, as well as in Canada, Ireland, and the U.K.

You can learn more about their history at http://www.travelers.com/about-us/flash/history.html

In the past, I wrote a lot of commercial insurance. Working with Travelers (the 2nd largest provider of commercial insurance in the country) and some of the other companies I represent, I am looking forward to providing business/commercial insurance for my clients.

Are you paying too much for your commercial insurance? Give me a call at 507-226-8121 and let’s see.

Jon

Pet Insurance

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Joy and I are proudly owned by a brother and sister team of dogs. In the past, we have loved and lived with big dogs. Our last friend, Bandit, weighed in at 130lbs. It took us four years to recover from losing him although we still miss him.

Joy waited and then became determined it was time and she suggested we try consider a small dog this time around. On the way out the door she noticed me slide my checkbook into my pocket. For some reason, she decided getting a dog was no longer an option, but a done deal.

At the breeder, Joy watched as two pups seemed to “talk” something over nose to nose. In unison they walked over to me and gently latched on – one took my finger and the other the cuff of my shirt. Then, they just sat and looked at me. I thought they were cute, but so were the others.

Joy asked the breeder, “How much for two?” I told her she could only have one. She said, “Okay. You pick which one of those two we’re taking home.” I wrote a check for both of them. By the time we got in the car they had names. Sophie and Tucker.

We’re responsible pet owners who love their dogs. We were picky about finding just the right veterinarian, pay to have them groomed, and buy them the “good” dog food. Tucker has a problem with his pancreas and Sophie struggles with serious allergies. Their care can get expensive.

So – do we have Pet Insurance?

No. (although Progressive and some other carriers now cover pets injured in accidents as part of their regular policies)

You  might be wondering why I’d admit that. Well, although I make a living as an independent agent, I’m not only in it for the money. Serving my clients is as important as commissions. And, like you, I’m a consumer of insurance. I don’t want to pay too much either. We have not purchased medical or any other kind of pet coverage for the dogs we love because so far, it’s too expensive.

Am I opposed to Pet Insurance? No. If I could find a reasonable policy, I might consider purchasing coverage for them and I’d offer it to my clients as an option.

Many homeowners policies cover your liability as a pet owner. Whoever your insurance is with, call them soon and make sure you understand this coverage.

Jon

[email protected]

507-226-8121

Substantial Savings for Everyone?

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I recently gave a client a quote for $30 per year less than their current insurance carrier. Another quote came in at only $6 less per month.

So, how can I claim to have saved those insureds a substantial amount of money? And, why did they purchase their insurance from me?

The policies I quoted provide them with better coverage with higher limits of insurance (needed in both cases) at lower deductibles. So while at first glance the effort of changing hardly seems worth the effort, in reality, they are saving hundreds of dollars per year and have greater peace of mind.

The majority of my clients are saving from $100 to $500 per year. When the companies I represent offer them better coverage for those savings, I am confident when I ask. . .

If I could save YOU a substantial amount of money on your insurance, would you be interested in a quote?

Providing clients with this double kind of savings makes my job doubly rewarding.

Jon

About Progressive

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In March of 1937, two lawyers started a company they called Progressive Mutual Insurance Company. The two started a legacy of innovative steps to providing services for their clients. For example, they were the first to offer drive-in claims service. In the mid-50s the Progressive Casualty Company started insuring high risk drivers. Since then, they’ve continued to develop ways to provide clients with cutting edge policies and service. At this point, Progressive has more than 10 million policies in force and over 30,000 independent agents in the U.S.

Progressive offers several types of insurance today:

  • Boat/personal watercraft
  • Commercial auto
  • Homeowners
  • Motorcycle
  • RV
  • Segway

Progressive consistently earns industry awards for their business practices, products, and services.

As an independent agent with SIA of the Great Lakes, one of the premier companies I represent is Progressive. Working with companies like Progressive allows me to ask clients: if I could save you a substantial amount of money on your insurance, would you be interested in a quote?

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

Why SIA?

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SIA of The Great Lakes - HI-RES

When I made the decision to come back to the insurance business, I wanted to offer my future clients more coverage for a better price. For months after my temporary retirement, companies sent out information and invited me to consider returning to the industry. While most of them were complimentary in nature, that wasn’t my goal. I was pretty focused on being done.

One company, SIA of the Great Lakes, stood out. I told Joy, “If I ever return to insurance this is the company I’d partner with. Their goals matched mine both on professional and personal levels.”  I’d grin at her startled look and get back to retirement.

Time and circumstances have a way of changing our direction in life. I missed my clients. For twenty-seven years I’d enjoyed working with them.

So, I called SIA.

The conversations with the company leadership confirmed my instincts: this was the company I wanted to work with as an independent agent.

My connection with them includes the following opportunities:

-SIA is one of the largest master agencies in the U.S. allowing them to work with companies and agents to provide both with greater opportunities. Remember my main goal – to provide the people I insure with more coverage and better prices? The professional relationships established by SIA with premier companies frees me to reach my goal for my clients.

-SIA has partnered with top of the line companies like Travelers, Progressive, Met Life, Safeco, Wilson, Haggarty, Liberty Mutual, and The Hartford to name a few.

-Through SIA independent agents have the opportunity to provide all lines of insurance to their clients.

-SIA founders, Thomas Harrison and Ronald Marler understand agents. . .because they are agents themselves. (see http://www.siawi.com/ABOUTUS/tabid/56/Default.aspx)

It’s been my privilege to work with the SIA staff. I appreciate the integrity-based way they do business.

I was surprised during my two year retirement that so many of you asked me to consider getting back into the insurance business. It took a lot of urging on your part and my own rising insurance costs to get me to even consider it. As much as those two things mean to me, I was not going to start over without the backing of an excellent brokerage.

When I accepted SIA’s invitation to work with them, we created a circle of success that will benefit SIA, myself, and most of all: my clients.

I can ask you with confidence: If I could save you a substantial amount of money on your insurance, would you be interested in a quote?

Jon