DeKok Insurance Group - DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

What He Wanted for Christmas

January 6, 2015 By Jon DeKok

This isn’t going to feel much like an insurance guys blog post. That’s because while the story is partly his, he’s not telling it. A few weeks ago, we were talking about our dreams for DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. and we realized we needed a clear division of duties so we could serve our clients better. Jon enjoys serving his clients, talking to potential new clients, and giving quotes. For me, Joy, it’s about connecting with our clients using this blog, emails, and other social media resources. Sometimes I’ll write about insurance stuff. Today? Not so much. Because sometimes serving you means helping you get to know your insurance agent.

What He Wanted for Christmas …

Most years, getting Christmas presents for Jon is difficult. Don’t get me wrong – he’s not difficult it’s just that he doesn’t usually want much, and when he does want something, he usually gets it for himself.

This year, we talked about it and he came up with exactly nothing. Well, okay he did mention an RV, but my Christmas budget wasn’t that big! I sat in our living room, pondering my dilemma. This kind of thinking involves coffee, our dogs snuggled in close, and quiet. Sitting there, I saw the perfect gift for him sitting right in front of me.

When Jon’s mom passed away just over two years ago, a lovely stained-glass piece she had created became his.When we brought it home, we did what she did – we propped it up on the window sill planning on getting it framed someday. That never happened. I knew the time had come. The thing was, it couldn’t be a surprise – this was part of her legacy and only Jon could pick out the right frame. When I told him what I wanted to do, his eyes lit up. Oh yeah – this was it.

He took his mom’s art to the guys at Nigon Woodworks in SE Rochester – because he knows and trusts their work. He told them what he wanted and what wood options he thought would look best. A few days before Christmas I was notified – it was ready. I cannot tell you how much fun it was to pay for this gift. But then there was another problem – there was no way I could wrap it. I should have known better than to worry. Jon saw only the beauty in the stained-glass that was emphasized by the natural maple frame.

Jon hung his mother’s masterpiece in the window and we remembered a special time of coffee we had with her at her kitchen table. Mom took a class, then another. She chose the pattern for her second project carefully. The tulip represented Dad’s Dutch heritage. The red was his favorite color. The brown was the color of the dirt he so faithfully farmed. And she wanted the sun to look like it was shining. While she talked, she carefully places a few of the pieces she’d already cut on the pattern to show us what she’d accomplished so far. Evidence of the work was all over her hands – tiny cuts were visible, and a deeper one was hidden under a band-aid. There would be more of those before she was done.

The end result was beautiful, but sitting on the window sill, behind a sheer curtain, it was rarely appreciated – except by the artist and her son Jon who commented on it often and complimented her on its beauty. She would pat his arm in gratitude.

We had no idea how much difference a simple wood frame would make or how beautiful it would be hanging in the window – not just propped up on the sill. Everyday, we enjoy the quiet beauty in the glass. But there’s more. Somehow this piece of stained-glass radiates hope into our hearts. We can’t explain that to you, but it’s there. Maybe in part it’s because of what she did for us, especially in the last months of her life; as her hope of a longer life dwindled, and we hung out with her in the nursing home, she did every thing she could to fill our hearts with hope in our faith, marriage, and work.

And we’re grateful.

We’re also thankful for you – our clients and readers. If you have questions about your insurance, give Jon a call at 507-226-8121 or email him at [email protected].

Sincerely from both of us,

Joy

Tell your family members and friends about your positive experience with DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. If they call for a quote and tell us you sent them, YOU will receive a $20 gift card from us.

[tweetthis]Sitting there, I saw the perfect gift for him sitting right in front of me. #Christmas[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]Oh yeah – this was it. #ChristmasGift #JonDeKok #AMothersLegacy[/tweetthis]

Good News!

September 9, 2014 By Jon DeKok

Joy here. . .

Jon and I like sharing good news as much as we enjoy getting it. Who doesn’t, right? So here are a few good things we enjoyed this summer, and then Jon has some really good news for our insureds.

Our wildflower garden (about an acre) was a source of relaxation and discovery. I was able to get some amazing shots with my camera.
Once again, we have a bountiful apple crop, and our freezers will be full of organic, fresh pressed, delicious juice.
Jon wants me to tell you this, so here goes – I released a new book titled, Between the Lies. This book stretched me as a writer and is far different than anything I’ve ever done. (Here’s the Amazon Link)

But the most important for our clients is that while insurance premiums are on the rise (isn’t everything?), for the most part, we can still offer you, and anyone you refer to us, competitive prices and/or better coverages.

Do you have good news? We’d enjoy hearing about it – leave us a note in the comments.

Jon here. . .

I get excited when I can improve the DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. line-up. Today, I’m pleased to announce the addition of Nationwide/Allied Insurance to our group of companies. They are a part of Nationwide Insurance and offer most Personal, Commercial, and Farm lines policies at competitive prices.

Around your renewal time, when I run rate quotes for you I never know what company will come in with the best overall rates. Sometimes, it surprises me. But I like finding you the most competitive price for the best coverages.

If you have any questions about your insurance, feel free to call (507-226-8121) or email me ([email protected]) with questions or for a quote request.

I would be happy to help your family, friends, and associates also. I am so honored with the referrals sent to DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

Thank you.

Jon

Email:[email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

Tell your family members and friends about your positive experience with DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. If they call for a quote and tell us you sent them, YOU will receive a $20 gift card from us.

[tweetthis]Allied/Nationwide is part of our line-up! #Independent Agent #MNInsurance[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]Good news from DeKok Insurance Group! #Allied #Nationwide #IndependentAgent #RochesterMN[/tweetthis]

Value, Trust, & Client Loyalty at DeKok Insurance Group

July 25, 2014 By Jon DeKok

Joy Here:

Perkins North is Cheers for Jon and Me.

When Jon went into the insurance business over thirty years ago, he was a busy man. We had very little time together and needed at least one catch-up a week. He called one day and asked me to meet him for lunch at Perkins. We had so much fun, as we were leaving he said, “Let’s do this again next Tuesday.”

For over twenty years we did and sometimes we still do. When we walk in, the hosts and waitresses know our names. We know theirs, and a little about their lives. They’ve read my books, told me about their children, and they have our favorite foods memorized. When they changed the Tuesday specials a few years ago, they were concerned about how to tell us!

Why Perkins?

1. We like the food. (Value)

2. We love the staff. (Trust & Loyalty)

Because we’ve received a good value (the food), and the staff welcomes us and gives us excellent service, we go back for more. If I were to hear a complaint about “our” Perkins, my internal dukes would rise, and I would defend them. We’re loyal regulars.

Jon and I have experienced something similar here at DeKok Insurance Group. Our clients tell us they stay, in part, for better insurance coverage and often lower rates (Value), but more important to them is the relationship they have with Jon as their independent agent. (Trust & Loyalty)

Because I’m Jon’s wife, you probably think I’m biased. I am. But as a consumer, I want an agent who knows insurance, can help me find the right insurance products for my needs, and who I can trust to be loyal to me before a company.

Buying insurance is about value, trust, and loyalty. All three are available to you at DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

Jon Here:

In the purchase of insurance, we have so many choices. This is good! However, it can be overwhelming. At DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. we work with some of the best insurance companies in the world and are familiar with the coverage’s they offer.

So, how does this help you?

We make it easy to compare and save money with better coverage.

Because we are independent, we can and always will be loyal to you. We are not limited by just one company or insurance policy. We are able to match your needs with the best coverage.

There are three components to being insured. Price and the coverage are very important; however there is a third component that makes it better: your agent.

As your agent, I am available to answer questions, re-quote and compare coverages with you, take care of the paperwork, and in general be here for you. Because of this, you’ll know I will also be here for those you refer to me.

We are all looking for better value. You have it with DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

Thank you!

Jon

Phone 507-226-8121

Email: [email protected]

Tell your family members and friends about your positive experience with DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. If they call for a quote and tell us you sent them, YOU will receive a $20 gift card from us.

[tweetthis]Value, trust, client loyalty. #DeKokInsuranceGroup #IndependentAgent #RochesterMN[/tweetthis]

Earl – A Chevy Classic

July 18, 2014 By Jon DeKok

(Earl and one of the Schwartz brothers in 1979)

Jon here. Joy and I have been looking forward to sharing this post with you. Although I enjoy looking at classic cars, Joy really enjoys them. So, I’ll let her tell you the story.

Joy here. I met Keith Schwartz in Jon’s office when he stopped in to talk about some insurance. Jon told me that Keith owned a truck I’d like to hear about so I asked. Last night, Keith and his wife Sheryl shared Earl with us.

This might just be the coolest truck ever.

I took notes while Keith shared Earl’s history. In 1979 this blue 1951 Chevrolet pickup was wasting away in a junkyard. Keith’s brother purchased the truck for $150 thinking he’d use it for parts on another truck he owned. Instead, he decided to drive the rusted, blue one. While in college, the brothers drove it through the harsh North Dakota winters, pulling other vehicles out of ditches, because this Chevy could and did.

Over the years, the brothers sold the truck – to each other, keeping it in the family. In 1991, Keith bought it because he said, “I loved it from the time we pulled it out of the junkyard.” He then took it down to pieces, and it stayed that way for sixteen years. In 2000, he started the restoration process, which he completed in 2009. Standing beside Earl, I realized when Keith says he restored him, he means every single piece of that truck has passed through his hands and is in excellent condition. Earl didn’t get a surface restoration – he is fully restored.

Last night, when Jon parked across the street from Keith and Sheryl’s house, my heart beat a little faster. Is it possible to be smitten by a pickup? It seems so.

After pulling the pickup out of the junkyard, the brothers found some letters that read, Earl, on the truck by the box where it couldn’t be seen unless you opened the door. Although it was likely the owners name, it immediately became the truck’s name.

When I stepped in front of the truck, it felt like he smiled at me. And yes, I smiled back. I couldn’t help myself. He’s such a happy looking guy and it’s contagious.

Then Keith showed me the interior – this old boy is classy inside and out!

This is my favorite picture of Earl.

Keith told us, “I’ve owned him most of his life, and he never lets us down. He always starts. Always has. When the family calls they ask how we’re doing then they ask how Earl is.”

All of that makes perfect sense to me. Earl is a Chevy classic, but in a way, he’s in class by himself.

I’ll hand this back to Jon for now. It was really nice visiting with Keith and Sheryl, and it was nice meeting Earl. As we pulled away, I looked at the pickup again and thought, “That is honestly one cool truck!” Today writing this post, I feel the same way. He is.

Jon here. Do you own a classic car? Call for a quote. Earl is insured with Hagarty – one of the best insurers of classic and antique cars.

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

Tell your family members and friends about your positive experience with DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. If they call for a quote and tell us you sent them, YOU will receive a $20 gift card from us.

[tweetthis]This might just be the coolest truck ever. #Classic #IndependentAgentMN #ChevyTruck[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]Is it possible to be smitten by a pickup? #ChevyClassic #MNInsurance #IndependentAgent[/tweetthis]

Boat Season Pre-Check – DeKok Insurance Group

May 6, 2014 By Jon DeKok

Get your boat ready for summer.

If you love the water, few things are better than boating season. Summer just wouldn’t be summer without spending those long, hot days on Lake Pepin, the Zumbro River, or cruising the Mississippi. Plus all the fun of cooling off with a lazy dip in the water, dropping a line in hopes of catching a “big one,” sunning on the beach across the river, or having an action-packed day of waterskiing and tubing.

Boating is not without its share of pre-summer preparation. If you’re not on the ball early, it’s easy to find yourself midway through July still on dry land.

Tune it up. It’s always a good idea to have your boat winterized at the end of each season, but whether you did or didn’t get it done last year, make sure to get a full tune-up before you hit the lake this summer.
Charge it. Make sure your battery is fully charged.
Clear it out. If there’s a chance any bit of gas from last season is still in your tank, fill it up with fresh gas as well as a stabilizer; this will prevent buildup in the gas lines and injection system.
Give it a test. Before you get the boat all the way into the water and off the trailer, lower your motor into the water and make sure it will turn over.
Plug it up. Ensure your drain plug is in and the bilge pump is functioning properly.
Double- and triple-check. The last thing you want is to be turned away at the ramp for not having an updated registration or missing your ski flag or life vests. Double check that your documents are updated and that your boat is fully stocked with everything you need.
Be sure you’re covered. If you’re not certain you have the right insurance coverage, give me a call at 507-226-8121.

I hope you have a fun-filled and safe boating season!

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone 507-226-8121

DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. Referral Program: When you tell your family and friends about your positive experience with my agency, and they call for a quote, I’ll send YOU a $20 Target gift card.

[tweetthis]Get your boat ready for summer. #BoatInsurance #Summer #MNInsurance[/tweetthis]