3 minute read
AGENCY INTERVIEW
An Interview With a Best Practices Agency - Alongi Santas Moss -
Mark and His Four Children That Work at the Agency Front Row: Jim Santas, Jen Saelens Back Row: Matt Santas, Mark Santas, Ryan Santas
The 2022 Best Practices Agencies are recognized as the country's leading agents and brokers. The Best Practices Study uses data from these agencies to provide industry benchmarks and operational information on growth, profitability, productivity and financial stability. This year four Wisconsin agencies were named Best Practices Agencies: Alongi Santas Moss Insurance Agency, M3 Insurance, R&R Insurance Services and The Starr Group.
Alongi Santas Moss was named one of our Best Practices Agencies in Wisconsin. The IIAW recently interviewed Mark Santas, Alongi Santas Moss President.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your agency and your story.
A. I started in the insurance business in 1985. Like most people in my age group, getting in this business was an impulsive decision. With that said, I really have learned to love the insurance business. Insurance is constantly changing, every day presents a different challenge, and it can be quite rewarding at times.
Our main office is in Beloit, WI, on the state line between WI and IL. We have satellite offices in Janesville, WI, Argyle, WI and Rockton, IL. We offer all lines of coverage, but focus mainly on commercial insurance, serving the small/middle market.
Q. What does it mean to you to be named one of the four Best Practices Agencies in Wisconsin?
A. It is quite an honor to be named one of the four best practices agencies in WI. There are quite a few variables that factor into this process, but having growth, profitability and strong carrier partners are key components. Maybe we have been lucky, but I'd like to believe that our consistent approach to writing quality business, taking care of our customers and maintaining strong carrier relationships has paid off.
Q. What do you credit your success to?
A. Continuous improvement. Every time I come back from a conference or read a new article or book, our staff knows there are changes in the making. One of my favorite take-aways from the book, What Would Jesus Do if He Were CEO, is to treat your customers as you would your best friend, with profit in mind. It's very important to us to maintain the trust of our carrier partners by doing front-line underwriting in our office to write good quality business and to take care of our insureds to know that their business, homes, cars and families are well-protected.
Q. What goes into becoming a Best Practices Agency?
A. It's been a lifelong effort to do the right thing. We have to remember that we serve both our clients and our carrier partners.
Q. What advice do you have for other agencies looking to be Best Practices Agencies?
A. Watch your ratios, be steadfast on controls, create Best Practices processes. Give your clients the best value for their hard-earned money.
Q. What benchmarks and strategies do you recommend adopting or adapting to improve an agency's performance?
A. Constantly trying to create more efficient and worthwhile customer touches. Create positive client interaction, stewardship reports instead of sales quotas. I believe your processes become your why and how you attract new opportunities, especially quality referrals. There is no higher compliment than when one of your customers sends another person your way to look at their insurance. Everyone needs insurance, and it is a privilege to be trusted to help our customers protect what is most important to them.
Congratulations to the 2022 Best Practices Agencies in Wisconsin! Visit bit.ly/2022BestPracticesAgencies to see the full list of Best Practices Agencies.
Alongi Santas Moss Beloit Office Staff (Left to Right) Front Row: Kelsey Kuehl, Cyndi Pohl, Jean Lippert, Julie Crouch, Jen Saelens and Stacey Llanas-Wallis Back Row: Matt Santas, Nick Hagen, Mark Santas, Jim Santas and Ryan Santas
