Declaration of Independents

J. Alan Johnson

Owner
The Johnson Agency: Insurance & Risk Management
Madisonville, Tennessee

This huge champion of education owns a small agency in a small town in the mountains of East Tennessee. But J. Alan Johnson has earned big rewards from his commitment to education. The Johnson Agency has been the smallest agency to earn the Best Practices designation for the last eight years running.

ADVICE TO THE INDUSTRY?

First, we need to emphasize a major strength of the independent agency system—a high level of training and education. An educated independent agent can be a trusted partner, helping clients make the best choices. Second, we need to make insurance buyers acutely aware of the dangers of using price as the sole criteria for purchasing.

ROLE MODEL?

The Lone Ranger became my hero when I was a child. He would help those who needed help and fight for what was right, never seeking the limelight. Today, I have a large picture of the Lone Ranger framed on my wall in the office. I am a very, very independent agent with a strong personal moral and ethical streak. I love helping people and this business is perfectly situated to help folks. I made a conscious choice in 1976 to move back to my hometown and work in a rural, small-town market in order to offer quality, professional service to small businesses and individual clients, who often do not receive the focus of insurance and risk management professionals.

CLIENT TEACHINGS?

The client’s needs must always come first. Each one is an individual who wants someone to listen to their needs and wants to protect those things they have worked very hard to get. Noone fits into a neat category. There is always something unique about everyone.

ADVICE TO THOSE CONSIDERING AN INSURANCE CAREER?

For those who have an interest in business and a desire to help others, a career in insurance offers a unique opportunity. To do it right, we need to be knowledgeable about how insurance and management of risk work, what insurance and risk management can offer and how our industry allows society to take the risks needed to advance. We must always deal with clients honestly and professionally—the way you would want to be dealt with if positions were reversed. Done right, a career in insurance can be extremely rewarding, both emotionally and financially.