“Our mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams.”
Anna Raeli
The People
Anna Raeli, insurance agent/owner of the King City branch of State Farm Insurance, started with the company in 1998. Upon graduation, the decision of what to do next had to be made. Having the interest to help people, being a team player and dedicated to a community spirit, and having two cousins already working for State Farm, going into the insurance industry seemed a logical choice. Looking back over the past 16 years, Anna knows that it was the right decision for her.
She was fortunate to have a good mentor in her early years at State Farm, and she had a strong willingness to learn. Having completed the required training and selection process, Anna was selected out of the 10 agent candidates applying for the King City location. She saw the potential, and opened in 2007. Within the industry, Anna holds the status of an Ambassador for Life Qualifier, a Consecutive Business Leaders Program Qualifier, a Consecutive Business Leaders Program Qualifier, a National Convention Qualifier, and has her Mutual Fund Licence. She is licensed to provide a full range of insurance and financial services products.
In October of 2014, Anna will celebrate 7 years in King, as an independent agent/owner with State Farm Insurance. Knowing that building relationships both with clients and the community was important, Anna spent time in the community getting to know people. She was co-founder of the King City Business and Community Association, of which she is now president. She was the 2009 recipient of the King Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year Award”.
Anna hired a team of people with a common interest in commitment to their clients. Erinn Teeuwen, Office Representative, started with the business in March 2014, coming from the local paper SNAP. She is a ‘people person’, and is eager to expand qualifications beyond her general insurance licence. Marie Ferguson, Office Representative with her general licence and life insurance licence, celebrated 6 years working with Anna in March 2014. Originally from Schomberg, Marie was instrumental in helping to grow the client base.
The Product
Most clients are form the local community and neighbouring municipalities. Some clients are seeking a long-term working relationship. Others are very self-sufficient, doing the research before choosing what they need and finding an agent to provide the coverage. There are those who want the agent to handle everything, including the choice of a policy to fit their needs. Some prefer to deal on-line for a solution to their insurance needs. Reading the customers to know what they need and how they want to be served is important to good customer service. Providing a remarkable customer experience is important.
The State Farm corporation provides property and casualty, life and financial service products. The range is expansive, from loans, to education or retirement savings plans, to mutual funds, to estate planning. Everything is customized to the client’s needs.
Customer service is so important. Anna and her team celebrate the special things about people by building relationships, working on a first-name basis. Constant reinforcement helps the customer feel comfortable. There is the belief that insurance is there to help handle devastation, versus frustration.
They include the client in the claims process, so there are no surprises. A regular review of the policy checklist ensures that there are no gaps, as needs change through the different states of a person’s life.
The Performance
During the past 7 years, State Farm, the King City branch, under Anna’s leadership, has continued to grow along with the community, with a steady increase in the client base. There have been significant increases in the number of clients seeking commercial insurance. The residential growth in King City has generated a need for additional growth in the small business sector. These small business owners look to establish insurance coverage suitable to their needs. The scenario of using local services and products makes for a stronger economy and a more sustainable community.
A good relationship has been built with the King residential community, and with the neighbouring businesses. As President of the King City Business and Community Association, Anna has been able to be more involved in the community as a business leader, working with the Municipality and businesses in the village core. Initiatives in which she has been involved include improving King City’s curb appeal and promoting local parking improvements. Events like the King City Street Festival and Christmas in King have been instrumental in introducing new residents to the local businesses.
