Farmers agent

Howe has their own Farmers Insurance Agent in town now which is located next to the old wash on Haning Street. The Juan Encizo, who was born and raised in McKinney. He lived McKinney for over 30 years moving to Celina.

He and his wife Juanita married while in high school and he got the golf business where he became the assistant golf pro and even great golf success before a back injury forced him out of it. After seven years in golf, he landed insurance business. He took gamble and went into business himself in the home loans business, but the housing crisis took him back to Farmers Insurance where he's been for the past 11 years which gives him 14 years of insurance experience.

"This was a good opportunity for me to take over this agency," said Encizo. "I like McKinney, obviously, because it's where I grew up, but based on how many agents were there I looked north and when I saw Howe, I thought it would be perfect."

While he married Juanita in high school, they actually go back to junior high where they started dating. They have a daughter Stephane who graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio and is a full-time nurse in Lewisville. Their second daughter Julie is at Blinn Junior College and will transfer to Texas A&M. They have a 12-year-old son, Jonathan, whose dad calls him his football boy. He attends school in Celina.

"I had daughters playing Barbie Dolls and it wasn't too exciting but now I get to watch my boy play football and that's cool," said Encizo.

He says that when his youngest graduates, he'd like to move closer to Howe, but the drive from Celina is very manageable.

Encizo says that as with many companies, insurance rates will go up and down. He says that Farmers Insurance strongest points are for families with multiple policies who will qualify for multiple discounts.

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"We're also very good with business insurance - commercial," said Encizo. "We're the best company in Texas for small businesses. If you own a business, chances are we're going to get you a better rate, and not only that but better coverages."

Encizo says they write a lot of "toys" as far as boats, travel trailers, jet skis, and even mobile homes.

"One of my strong points is that I like to write life insurance," said Encizo.

Encizo is also a dog lover and has several rescue dogs. They just got their third rescue dog "Glory" about a month ago which was a puppy found in the desert area between the Texas and Mexico border.

"She was in rough shape, but she's now with us and we pamper her like crazy," said Encizo.

Their daughter Julie also has two rescue dogs while at college.

"Ultimately when I move closer here, I'd like some acreage where I can just get a lot of dogs," said Encizo.

It's been a while since Howe had their own local insurance agent with an office in town. Welcome.