Thursday, January 24, 2013

Meet Our Staff

As the owner of a small business, I am blessed and fortunate to have a great staff of fellow employees.  In the Nixon Insurance mission statement we state

“Our primary objectives are:
  • to be honest and fair in all of our dealings;
  • to be interested in people and their problems; and
  • to treat our client’s needs as if they were our own
We are committed to a high standard of excellence in all that we do, and to establishing a firm relationship of mutual trust and service with each of our clients”

The staff at Nixon Insurance works hard every day to accomplish the best insurance service for our customers.  Let me briefly introduce them.

Nancee Purdum has been with the agency since 1979. Prior to joining the agency, she worked for Auto-Owners Insurance Company. Nancee is a licensed agent and obtained her Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 1984. She is responsible for the agency accounting, agency automation systems, and personal lines sales and service; she is also the agency manager.

Chad Kleine joined the agency in 1998. Chad is a former Bradley University basketball player and graduated with a BS degree in education. In his spare time Chad is the second voice with Dave Snell on Bradley Basketball radio broadcasts. Chad obtained his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2005. Chad specializes in personal lines sales and service.

Nick Gunn is the Claims Administrator and also involved in Commercial and Personal Lines sales for the agency. Nick has over 6 years experience in the Insurance industry.  He started his insurance career with Nixon Insurance Agency, Inc from 2006 to 2009, and then worked for another local agency until 2011. He is licensed and specializes in Personal and Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance.   Nick earned the Certified Insurance Counselor designation in January of 2012.

Debbie Rogy joined the agency in 2010. Debbie is a licensed agent and has multiple years of working in the insurance industry.  She has customer service experience in other industries. Her responsibilities are customer service for commercial lines insurance.

Nicole Emery joined the agency in 2012. Nicole is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor in Applied Science.  She has insurance and customer service experience. Nicole has obtained her Associates in Claims designation in 2009. Her responsibilities are customer service for personal lines insurance.

Brooke Neal, Brooke is a senior at Bradley University and is a business management major.  She is working as a full time intern during the summer of 2012 and will continue as a part time intern during the school year.

Jennifer Walker, Jenny is a senior at Bradley University and is business finance major.  She is working as a part time intern during her senior year 2012-2013 and she will graduate in May 2013.

These are wonderful people and hard workers. Take time to get to know them while they work for you.


Dave Nixon
Owner, Nixon Insurance Agency Inc

Friday, January 11, 2013

Independent Insurance Agent

As the owner of an independent insurance agency I want to share some comments about the independent agency system compared to other forms of insurance distribution.  An independent insurance agency is an insurance firm that represents multiple insurance companies.  A Captive insurance agency is one that primarily represents one company.  Some of the advantages of being an independent insurance agent are:
1.       Since we represent multiple insurance companies we are able to offer our clients competitive pricing and a choice of coverage’s and products that are right for the customer.
2.       Because an independent agent represents more than one company a customer does not have to change agents or representatives, if the customer wants to change insurance companies because of pricing, coverage, or service.
3.       An independent agent offers one stop shopping for all coverage’s, auto, home, business, life, and health insurance and acts as a consultant to offer the customer a choice of insurance plans and programs.
4.       Independent insurance agents own their own business, are active in the community, and strive to provide the best customer service.
5.       Independent insurance agents assist customers when there is a claim.
What is the current state of the insurance business?  According to Market Scout, personal lines insurance rates which are automobile and home insurance are increasing on average of 4.0%.  We are seeing some home rate increases in the 10.0% range and even higher if there is past claim history. For business insurance, Market Scout indicates that pricing is increasing 5.0%.
Due to rate changes and coverage changes, now is the best time for customers to associate with an independent insurance agent.  At Nixon Insurance Agency Inc we can shop multiple markets and offer various premium and coverage options.  Presently Nixon Insurance Agency Inc is using the following insurance companies: Auto Owners Insurance Company; AAA Member Select; Blue Cross Blue Shield; Employers Preferred; General Casualty Insurance Company; Grinnell Mutual Insurance Company; Hanover Insurance Company; Humana Insurance Company; Progressive Insurance; RLI Surety; Society Insurance Company; Travelers Insurance; and West Bend Mutual.  We also have access to multiple other insurance companies through the wholesale insurance market.
If you are a current customer of Nixon Insurance Agency Inc, thank you for your business.  If you are a prospective customer, we would be glad to review your current insurance and offer some options.
Thank you!
Dave Nixon, Owner
Nixon Insurance Agency Inc