Outfit of Today

You could say 'beginning' and 'end' of day here. I can't stand sleeves around my wrists so it's only a matter of time that any sleeves be pushed up to my elbows. I think this look kinda likens a baby doll. As in dollhouse. It probably doesn't help that today I wrote a homeowners policy that was a 900 square foot house that looked like a dollhouse. It was fantastic. I wanted to pick it up, move it to the middle of some sand bar and invite Sarah to live with me forever.

Rewards

Wow, talk about a day. I’ve said before how much I love my job but today was the first day I’ve ever been tested like this! Last week I called someone in our book of business to discuss how if we wrote their auto insurance they could save 17% on their homeowners, which for them was like $120! So, he had me run a quote on the 3 that he had garaged. Friday, I call him back and he says that he is having Progressive fax over his policies so that I can actually write the apps. When I finally get the policies this morning, not only does it include the vehicles but 2 trailers, a RV, and boat! I took it by surprise but thought why not? I can do this. Not to mention that my agent and colleague were out of the office for training classes so I have to do something I’ve never done before all by my lonesome. I’m a big girl, so I get on the phone with our regional office and begin the first few minutes of what turn into 5 hours on the phone discovering the wide world of quoting insurance policies! After all this…ALL THIS…I’m at the last leg of sanity. I call our policyholder and inform him of over $2000 he will save this year if he switches his policies to us. Of course, he says do it. So, I do it. Until I get back on the phone because there is this itty bitty little problem with his son’s motor vehicle record. It was such a tiny little problem that it nearly doubled the quote that I gave him earlier. Now, lucky me, I have to go back and in less than 2 hours re-quote every bit of information that I gave to him earlier. I nearly cried. And this time, I had to run three scenarios (!) with his son, without his son, and just his son. Luckily, he decides to ditch the son. It has now been 8 hours with a 30 minute lunch break and I am proud to say that today I wrote a whopping 3 auto policies, 1 RV, and 1 boat. This is my largest day of production…ever. I could not be more proud.

It is 5:15 and I feel like I just got here.

This is the view from my keyboard. A view that has now made it's way into my dreams at night. Sarah mailed me this shot of her in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sometimes I find myself sitting at my desk talking to this picture as if it were that easy to pretend we were at Los Primos gossiping. And since I don't like to be that strange or have someone catch me talking to myself, I pick up the phone and text message her. My husband is gonna flip when he gets the cell phone bill. Robby, I bet you freakin love the GREEN wood panelling don't you? DON'T YOU?

I'm There!

I did it! Today I sold my first life insurance policy. It's so rewarding to see the comfort in a person's eyes when they realize that they have just made one of the most important purchases of their lives. I honest to goodness believe that when you buy life insurance, you buy protection. Not just money or inheritance. Protection for the people you love to be able to keep what you have worked so hard to provide for them. A standard of living that they have grown accustomed to. This is why I love my job, I'm doing it for the people. I love educating people and helping them protect what is theirs. Auto, Fire, Life, & Health. It's what I do. And I'm proud of it!

http://www.statefarm.com/about/we_are_there.asp

State Farm Rocks!

Vol. 11, No. 4 September 19, 2008

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

The past few weeks have been historic for the financial markets. They have also been unsettling for everyone. I’m reminded of the reputed old Chinese curse that reads “May you live in interesting times.” These are interesting times.
It’s natural for you and our customers to wonder what impact all of this is having on the State Farm organization. Simply put, State Farm remains financially strong. Our conservative, long-term, focused approach to investing continues to serve us well. While an organization of our size is never immune to swings in the financial markets, we work hard to avoid taking unreasonable risks. We consciously avoid the types of investments that have taken a horrific toll on a number of financial icons, including insurer AIG.
Meanwhile, Hurricanes Ike, Gustav and Hanna have reminded us of the significant destruction that can quickly occur from storms. I feel for the people who’ve seen their lives and communities upended. State Farm clearly has the resources—both financial and people—to respond. It’s not an easy job, especially since this has already been a very active year for weather catastrophes. I have tremendous pride in all of our associates, whether you’re actively on the ground or in supportive roles, helping our customers recover. After all, this is what we are all about.
No one can accurately predict economic ups and downs. But thanks to your efforts, the State Farm organization remains financially strong and growing.
Edward B. Rust Jr.