Common Questions

Getting started

What insurance does my business actually need?

It depends on what you do, how many people you employ, where you operate, and what your contracts require. Most businesses need general liability at a minimum. Beyond that -- workers comp, professional liability, cyber, D&O -- it depends on your situation. Tell me about your business and I'll tell you what you need and what you don't. I'm not going to sell you something you don't need.

I'm starting a business. Where do I even begin?

Start with what's required. Your lease probably requires general liability. Your state probably requires workers comp if you have employees. After that, look at what your clients require -- many contracts specify insurance minimums. I can walk you through the whole thing and set up a program that covers what matters without overbuying.

How much should I be paying?

It varies a lot by industry, revenue, headcount, and claims history. A 5-person consulting firm pays differently than a 5-person contractor. I can benchmark your premiums against similar businesses and tell you if you're overpaying, underpaying, or in the right range. More importantly, I'll tell you if you're paying for the right things.

Do I really need more than the minimum my lease requires?

Maybe, maybe not. The minimum your landlord requires protects them, not necessarily you. Whether you need more depends on your actual risk -- your clients, your contracts, your employees, your operations. I'll give you a straight answer based on your situation, not a sales pitch.

Day-to-day

My client needs a certificate of insurance. How do I get one?

I handle that. Tell me what the client needs (usually it's on the contract) and I'll get the certificate issued. If your current coverage doesn't meet their requirements, I'll tell you what needs to change and what it costs before we make any changes.

What happens when I file a claim?

You report the claim to your carrier (I can help you do this). They assign an adjuster who investigates. Then they pay, deny, or negotiate. The most common reason claims get denied is an exclusion nobody told the policyholder about. That's why I read the policy before you need to use it -- so there are no surprises.

My renewal came in higher. Is that normal?

Rates go up for lots of reasons -- market conditions, claims history, industry trends. But "the market went up" isn't always the real answer. Sometimes it's worth shopping. Sometimes the increase is justified but you can restructure to reduce cost. I'll look at the renewal, tell you why it went up, and whether it makes sense to push back or move.

Can I switch brokers in the middle of a policy?

Yes. Your policy stays the same -- you're just changing who services it. You can switch brokers at any time. Most people do it at renewal, but you don't have to wait. If you're not getting the attention you need, call me and I'll take over the account.

Working with me

What does "AI-powered" mean in practice?

It means I use AI to read and analyze your insurance policies -- the full document, not just the summary. AI helps me find exclusions, gaps, and definition problems faster and more thoroughly than doing it by hand. Your 80-page policy actually gets read. The judgment calls -- what you need, which carrier, how to structure it -- that's me.

How is a one-person shop better than a big brokerage?

At a big brokerage, your $10K account gets handed to a junior account manager who processes renewals. I'm the person who reads your policy, talks to you, and places your coverage. AI tools mean the analysis is more thorough, not less. Lower overhead means more time on your account, not less.

What does it cost to work with you?

Nothing extra. I'm paid by the carrier through standard broker commissions. You pay the same premium whether you use me, a big brokerage, or buy direct. The difference is what you get for that premium -- someone who actually reads the policy and picks up the phone.