Tessa Misner

AN ENDURING LEGACY BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS & TRUST

By Amanda Matkowski ·

Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

Like most people who work for an insurance business, Tessa Misner did not seek out to join the industry. Recognized for her outstanding customer service skills at her former job in retail, she took a chance on herself 20 years ago when Timothy Howard — who was the manager at Foremost — recommended that she apply to an open position in their call center. “My humble beginnings created the foundation of what I love most about my career: talking to new people and taking care of their needs,” Tessa explained.

As of January 2020, Tessa is now a personal lines account manager at Crosby & Henry, Inc. One of the oldest agencies in Michigan, Crosby & Henry has been in the business since 1858. With over a century’s worth of experience, the staff at the independent agency are experts in commercial, home, auto, life and health insurance.

Although there are a multitude of other insurance agencies within the market, Crosby & Henry sets itself apart by how relational they are with every client. “The staff at Crosby & Henry take great pride in doing a job that covers all details and aspects of getting to know a person and meeting all of their needs,” Tessa said. “Not only are we able to create longstanding relationships along the way, but we’re also allowing our clients to get to know us and the business professionals that we are.”

Forming relationships and trust with clients — as opposed to selling a product — is essential to the agency. Everyone needs insurance to cover their assets, however, and Crosby & Henry takes that responsibility very seriously. “In the insurance industry, you’re paying someone with the hope that, on the back end, they are going to be and do all that they say they are,” Tessa explained. “We have been here for the long haul, so it’s given us some tools in the tool belt that train the newer staff along those same thought processes.”

As a result of being dependable and trustworthy, Crosby & Henry has created a robust referral program with local mortgage companies and with many business professionals in multiple trade industries. “We are interested in getting to know your clients and how we can take care of them in the same high caliber of service we do for all of our other amazing clients!” Tessa said.

In addition to creating lasting relationships, the company has another passion: informing clients about their policies. “We believe that by educating our clients, not only do they appreciate the products they are purchasing, but it also creates an environment of preventative losses along the way,” Tessa said. “The best claim is the one that never happens, and education is key to that.”

When the pandemic hit, the team kept a close eye on the rising cost of home insurance and the need for additional coverage on homes. They are also knowledgeable about cyber coverage. “We have an amazing commercial lines team who is continually educating themselves to specifically address this need,” Tessa said. “We not only research available coverage for new clients, but we also go back to existing clients to offer additional coverage.”

Beyond spending detailed attention on clients and caring for their needs, Tessa likes to devote quality time with her blended family. She and her husband, Steve, have four children — Stephen, 28, Gabriel, 27, Noah, 20, and Isabelle, 19. Their kids live in several states and are in various stages of life, but when they come together, they love to simply hang out and cook.

For Tessa and her husband, most of their free time is dedicated to renovating an 1890 farmhouse. “That pretty much consumes every spare minute,” she said, laughing. “When we’re tired of that, we take weekend trips to Petoskey to shop and, of course, look for Petoskey stones.” Tessa is also an enthusiastic volunteer at Impact Church, her local church in Lowell. She leads Bible studies in her home or at local coffee shops several nights each week.

Tessa wants to be remembered for her willingness to go the extra mile, for her selfless acts and for taking care of others. She strives to turn a bad situation into a positive one, and working in the insurance industry has fulfilled that desire for her. “If I didn’t love people and their stories and learn what matters to them — which is so important — then I’m in the wrong line of business,” Tessa concluded.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CROSBY & HENRY, INC., VISIT CROSBYHENRY.COM.

Tessa Misner. Crosby & Henry - Partner Spotlight