Viewpoints

When Michelle O’Connor and her husband started their insurance agency 25 years ago, they knew from the very beginning that joining the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina was a must.

“These are the people taking risks, following their dreams, and creating something special,” says independent agent Luke Hoerr. “When I help them get the right coverage, I’m not just selling insurance—I’m helping protect someone’s passion project and supporting our local economy.”

Rather than being wary or frustrated with the Generation Z workforce, employers who seek to understand them can offer a much more positive workplace relationship and ultimately benefit their company.

“We see challenges with LTC (long-term care) adoption rates,” says independent agent Kelly Augspurger. “In my opinion, it’s an awareness and education issue because people don’t know what they don’t know.”

“Although we may be coming out of one of the most difficult periods in insurance history, some areas might still see increasing premiums for another 12-18 months,” says independent agent Guffy Wright. “Factors like claim volume, social inflation, weather patterns and fraud will continue to play major roles.”

Gonyo has worked every role in an independent agency—from working the front desk to producing—before starting her own agency at 32 years old with “minimal money in a tiny little office,” she says. Today, Blue Line Insurance has four branches and 15 employees, 14 of whom are women.

Bobbie Collies is the chief insurance officer at Coterie Insurance and a passionate servant leader who loves to help drive strategy and execution.

“A home is a major financial investment for most people and if something bad happens to it, inadequate insurance can ruin their financial lives,” says independent agent Kelley Kimble. “As a homeowner myself, the adequacy of the policy is the greatest factor in my purchasing decision.”

As the co-founder of Project 55, a nonprofit launched in January, Brenden Corr is committed to reshaping how mental health is addressed in workplaces.

In 2017, Carroll became a part owner and president of Stein Agency, a process in which she has stepped up professionally and grown into a leadership position while learning the ropes of agency management and p&c insurance.