Time to Thank Your Agent: The Unsung Heroes of Your Financial Life
By Jerod Blakestad, Co-Founder, Monoline
In my 21 years in the insurance industry, I've seen the workload for insurance agents increase at least five-fold.
The world has changed greatly since the first insurance agency opened its doors in 1795, fittingly in one of America’s oldest cities, and home of America’s greatest steakhouse (Hall’s), Charleston, SC. Back then, the mission of Davis & Reid was likely similar to the mission of agencies today: helping people protect their hard-earned assets.
Fast forward to today, and we’re living in a time of rapid change. From the chaos of the daily news to astonishing technological advancements, each day brings new challenges and opportunities. As a father of two young daughters, there is always something to worry about. But despite the worries, we also live in a spectacular time. With endless information at our fingertips and giant leaps forward in technology, science, and medicine, it’s an incredible era to be alive. And let’s be honest, Netflix keeps rolling out great new content (I digress).
While it’s a great time to enjoy life’s splendors, it’s also incredibly expensive. What you might not realize is how hard your insurance agent is working to protect what you’ve built and continue to build.
In my 21 years in the insurance industry, I’ve seen the workload for personal insurance agents increase at least five-fold. Back in 2018, agents had a nearly endless list of carriers competing to insure your home, auto, boat, collections, and umbrella. Policies were placed in what seemed like a forever home. You paid your reasonable monthly or quarterly bill, and unless you had a claim, you probably never gave your insurance policies another thought.
In 2024, that picture looks a lot different. Your insurance agent has fewer markets and, in some states, nearly zero. They face massive rate increases on every policy they manage, making for some painful phone calls at renewal time. Many carriers are not renewing policies, changing underwriting guidelines, or abandoning states entirely. On top of all that, claims are piling in and becoming more complicated, all thanks to changing weather patterns, short-term rental properties, car-share situations, and those fun-to-ride e-bikes, to name just a few.
If you haven’t noticed many changes in your own insurance besides a rate increase, consider yourself lucky. You have a great agent who deserves a big thank you because, I assure you, they don’t get nearly enough appreciation.
So next time you talk to your insurance agent, take a moment to thank them. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure you enjoy life’s splendors without worrying about the what-ifs.
To the agents out there: let’s remember why you do what you do. You’re not just selling policies; you’re providing peace of mind in an unpredictable world. Your dedication keeps everything running smoothly, ensuring families and individuals can focus on living their lives while you handle the complexities of their insurance needs.
You are the unsung heroes of insurance. Thank you.
Jerod has worked in nearly every aspect of the insurance industry, including working for a carrier and large national broker, having had his own agency, which he sold to Marsh & McLennan Agency in 2017, and co-founding the track insurance company, OpenTrack. Jerod's commitment to empathy, gratitude, and excellence is reflected in every aspect of Monoline's operations, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and customer-centricity.
