Perhaps it comes with age, but as another birthday passed last week, I found myself contemplating my life and my last year. I found myself wondering what would come next-for my family, for my business, and for our community. I also found myself thinking about what I would write (my long overdue) blog about...and then it hit me: I could write about all of these things, and how they intersect. So I am writing this to explain
When it comes right down to it, insurance is the ultimate community business. According to Investopedia: In 1752, Benjamin Franklin and several other leading citizens founded The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, modeled after a London firm. The first fire insurance company in America, it was structured as a mutual insurance company. Mutual Insurance companies are not owned by stockholders, but by policyholders themselves. This meant the company existed not make Ben rich, but to protect the people of Philadelphia from unforeseen tragedy. He also proposed a form of life insurance that provided a payout to widows and orphans. His main goal was to protect the community (and the soon-to-be country) he spent his whole life serving.
While I am far from one of America’s pre-eminent figures, I believe I am blessed to be in the business of protecting homes, lives, and communities. While insurance has evolved over the years, the reason for existence is simple: to pool together to protect and provide for each other. It has provided my family with an ample income, but moreso, it has given us the opportunity to serve our clients and our community far more than simply selling policies.
Through various trade groups, companies, and our own donations, we have been able to give amply to charitable causes, like Maison des Amis. We have been able to help organizations give neighbors a hand up, like Habitat for Humanity. And we have been able to help foster a spirit of togetherness and comradery, like we did yesterday at the Our Lady of Mercy Golf Classic. We were blessed to be able to sponsor a hole, and lots of drinks. But more importantly, we were able enjoy fellowship with others in our community again. It felt great, especially after a year and half of COVID-19! And most importantly we were able to combine the things we appreciate most: family, friends, employees, and yes, even insurance.