SEQUIM — Castell Insurance agents will meet during business hours, after hours or on weekends, via phone, video chat or a socially-distanced in-person meeting.
“We like to say meet the person where they want to be met,” said James Castell, sales and marketing director for the business at 426 E. Washington St.
“If (the client) is someone who can only text with us after hours, we’ve got to do that; we want to be a chameleon.”
That dedication to service — and a major shift in technology — helped the relatively small Sequim agency take home one of Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance’s 10 Agent For The Future awards.
Now in its third year, the Agent for the Future Award celebrates “the most forward-looking, digitally savvy independent insurance agencies,” the companies said last week.
“Top agencies are always seeking to grow and innovate; they view digital adoption as a journey, not a destination,” the companies noted last week.
The award highlighted five ways insurance agencies across the U.S. are evolving, including putting digital tools in place, exploring remote work opportunities, digital marketing, communication and service through any (and every) channel and constant evolution.
This year, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance awarded one national winner along with eight regional winners, as well as a new Emerging Leader category. Castell Insurance was selected the Northwest region winner.
Dan Ferrari, senior vice president and Northwest region field executive at Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance, said Castell’s nomination stood out.
“Castell Insurance embodies so much of the Agent for the Future spirit. They are digitally savvy and forward-looking, nimble and approachable,” Ferrari said.
“But what really sets Castell Insurance apart is their focus on customer education. They are true partners for their clients and advocates for their community. Whether through social media, on their YouTube channel or when communicating directly with customers – they help make the insurance experience friendlier for all.
“They may be a small-town agency, but they bring big results and an even bigger vision for the future.”
In the past several years the Sequim business’ brick-and-mortar needed to have the extra services — video chats, digital document signing — to make life easier for clients, Castell said.
For more about the Agent For The Future awards, see agentforthefuture.com/2020-aftf-award-trends.
For more about Castell Insurance, see castellinsurance.com.