DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

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

Jon DeKok, DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

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I’ve been looking for ways to connect with current and potential clients on both a professional and at times a personal level. I’m told by my marketing assistant, blogging is an excellent way to accomplish that. Let’s see if she’s right.

Many of you know that 2  years ago, I retired from the insurance business. Some of you are wondering why I’m now retiring from retirement.

I enjoyed the time off, considered some other career options, and explored one in depth. Not long ago, my insurance renewals came in the mail and I started shopping for a better premium. I found several companies offering lower prices and far better policies. In the process, I realized if I could do this for myself, I could do it for others as well.

My wife says, “After 27 years it’s hard to take the insurance agent out of the man.” She’s right.

Retirement was nice, but I found myself missing the most important part of my business: my clients.

With the decision to return made, the next choice was how to make this happen. SIA of the Great Lakes contacted me and offered me the opportunity to be a broker/agent with them. I did my homework and researched them and other insurance brokers. SIA came out on top on every vital point. I now represent the best-known companies in the industry. In future blog posts, I’ll let you know about each one.

I close this first entry with this question:

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

If your answer is yes. . .my office hours are 9AM to 5PM Monday – Friday.

My office address is: 1027 7th St. N.W., Suite 208, Rochester, MN 55901

The phone number is:  507-226-8121

You can email me at: [email protected]

I look forward to hearing from you.

Jon