Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Kaufman.
Hi Rick, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out in the mortgage industry and along the way, I started my own company (working out of my parent’s basement). In 2009 I got into the insurance business at an agency where I learned the business. In 2012, I started over again with AmeriStar Insurance and I’m still with them today.
Rather than trying to be a jack of all trades and sell multiple types of insurance I’ve found it valuable and rewarding to focus on the home, auto, and umbrella policies that tend to be taken for granted but are critical to everyone.
As an independent agent, I’ve approached building the packages for our clients similar to the way financial planners build their plans. It’s worked well over the past eleven years as I’ve grown almost entirely by referral from mortgage brokers, realtors, and financial advisors to serve their clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting over again from scratch when I was 30 years old with a six-month-old son at home it was hard to find the balance of being available to meet with prospects, clients and referral partners whiles still being present at home. As my family has grown, my wife and I now have two very active sons (9 and 11) who are thriving in baseball and basketball, but it is still a challenge to manage my schedule efficiently.
This is a big part of where my faith has come in. I know that I’m called first and foremost to serve my family and then to work hard in the professional roles I’m in. In doing my part to the fullest I can then have trusted God’s provision to take care of the rest and he has done so abundantly.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve built expertise in serving the higher-value home (properties with rebuilding costs of more than $1M) market in particular which has been very fun to do. That clientele tends to be very appreciative of the approach we take and the products we’re able to bring to them. Rather than the more well-known mass market companies which advertise and portray that all insurance is essentially the same, I’ve been able to work with a very select group of companies that provide customizable policies to specifically fit the lives of my clients.
I’m continually learning more about the new and developing challenges affecting the market as a whole and this higher-value home environment in particular. From changing guidelines on responses to the major hail issue affecting the Midwest to the uniqueness of insuring electric vehicles to the need for increasing umbrella liability limits I truly enjoy strategizing how to best navigate the market for my clients.
About five years ago I received my Chartered Private Risk Insurance Advisor (CPRIA) designation from the Private Risk Management Association and I’ve continued to pursue other avenues of education to continue to grow.
I’ve also built a strong network of referral partners that I’ve been able to work alongside to serve their clients in this area. I’ve found that if I can help them grow their businesses by adding value in whatever ways possible then my business will do just fine.
Any big plans?
I look forward to continuing to build a business that is helping our clients in the insurance arena as the market promises to change significantly over the coming years.
From smart cars and homes to more and more customizable options it’s exciting to me to help my team continue to grow and be dynamic enough to adjust to the changes as they come.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.insuranceplanreview.com
- Instagram: @ricktheinsuranceplanner
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RickKaufmanInsurance
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kaufmanrick
- Youtube: @RickKaufman1
Image Credits
Tammy Brice; Megan Kautz
