INSURANCE MATTERS Members first By Gary Buckner Executive Vice President and General Manager Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company
wenty years go by in just a blink of an eye. I can say that with firsthand experience because I have had the wonderful opportunity to serve our members for more than 20 years. Yet, in the six short months I have served as executive vice president and general manager for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies, I have witnessed several exciting changes and initiatives for a company with such a storied past. These changes revolve around our main focus: our members. We want to continue to bring the highest value and service to our members. We want to bring insurance products that will not only protect you in times of disaster, but also in times of new beginnings, like a new car or home. Being an OKFB member is an elite status and our goal is for our products to reflect that status. Many of these changes will not necessarily be seen instantly, but are changes that are preparing Oklahoma Farm Bureau for some of its brightest days to come. However, some changes will be visible. Soon, we will roll out a new website with many new helpful features, such as new payment methods, an agent locator and the ability to pay member dues. In addition to offering a fresh design to make navigation easier, these features will ultimately make our members’ online experience quicker and more efficient. Our claims department continues to set the bar for excellence. OKFB Vice President of Claims Merry Randazzo believes the golden rule is paramount when helping our members during the
claims process. Our own insurance commissioner has shared on various occasions that Oklahoma Farm Bureau sets the “gold standard” for claims service. OKFB agents are the boots-on-the-ground support in your communities. We’re the largest domestic insurance company in the state of Oklahoma, devotedly serving our members in all 77 counties. I was proud to learn that in a recent survey, 55 percent of our members said the relationship with their agents is the most important when buying insurance. This feedback speaks volumes of our agency force of more than 165 agents and their dedication to providing the standard in insurance services. Our members also told us that more than 70 — Gary Buckner percent have been members with OKFB for at least 11 years and more than half of our respondents would recommend OKFB insurance to others. Responses such as these will help further shape changes and initiatives for OKFB as we continue to grow. I’m excited to continue dedicatedly serving our members in my new role, and look forward to embarking on a new era for Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
We want to continue to bring the highest value and service to our members. We want to bring insurance products that will not only protect you in times of disaster, but also in times of new beginnings, like a new car or home.
6 — Oklahoma Country