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Meet a Broker: Jody Williams | Oracle Group Insurance Brokers
Jody Williams is a Balcatta-based insurance broker and Authorised Representative of Oracle Group Insurance Brokers. Advisr chatted with Jody about her experience as a broker, her drive to help businesses succeed and her plans for the future.
Tell me a little about yourself
I love working as an insurance broker - it's my passion. I love listening to other business owners, as I feel there is so much to learn by helping another business owner out.
What led you to becoming an insurance broker?
I've always loved learning about business and what other people did in their business. I started off processing insurance claims and learnt very quickly that if the insurance policy wasn't written correctly, I couldn't pay a claim! This frustrated me so much, and so when I had the opportunity to learn broking, I jumped at it and have never looked back.
What do you love about being an insurance broker?
I love the wide variety of things and occupations that I can insure. I love learning what my clients do for a job and ensuring it's covered. No one likes claims, although when there is a claim and it's paid, there is an amount of satisfaction that the cover paid for was worth it.
You would be surprised how many businesses don't 'fit the box' and need to extend their insurance coverage. I really enjoy tailoring an insurance cover to suit the business I'm working with.
Tell us the story of a business you were able to help.
A tradie business came to me as they'd grown so quickly that the wife couldn't keep up with the insurance and book work - and so they asked for my help. It was a mess (her words!) and they were paying for things they would never be able to claim. It only took an hour of good conversation to find out what's really important to them, and I focused the insurance coverage on those items. By the time I added in our broker fees we were still saving them money with better cover. They can now rely on me to ensure all their insurances are correct.
How can business owners benefit from working with an insurance broker?
When you chat to an insurance broker, you're talking business to business. Insurance brokers are there to guide the business owner down the correct path. We will do everything we can to help our clients' businesses succeed.
Cyber Liability Insurance is designed to help protect you from claims and support your profitability in the event of a cyber breach or attack.
Public Liability insurance is there to provide protection if someone makes a claim against the insured, the business or its employees.
A business insurance pack can provide cover for your business premises and contents, against loss, damage, theft or financial loss from an insured interruption to the business.
When you chat to an insurance broker, you're talking business to business. Insurance brokers are there to guide the business owner down the correct path. We will do everything we can to help our clients' businesses succeed.
We also can save you money, and a lot of stress.
Who makes an ideal insurance client and why?
I love construction companies, builders, tradies, and manufacturing - because I find these business owners need more help than other occupations. Plus I enjoy the 'no stuffing around' talk.
Honestly though, any client is a good client as long as they are open and honest and help me to understand their business.
How do you go above and beyond as an insurance broker?
I'm always willing to share information to other business owners. It doesn't have to be about insurance either. It's a business-owner to business-owner discussion about all kinds of things. If there is something I don't know, then I want to help them find someone who does know.
What has been your experience of connecting with businesses online?
Connecting online is not as 'personal', although if we didn't have all of these social media opportunities, there wouldn't be any transparency. How would you know what my clients really say about me? I love the transparency part of social media. You know what to expect.
Do you have a particular area of expertise? What led you there?
I've been in the industry for quite a few years and if I don't know something, I know there is another broker who I will send to help my clients.
My expertise is helping small to medium businesses - the clients that are not a good fit for online 'insurance packages' and want peace of mind.
I have somehow fallen into working with a lot of construction and trades type businesses - I think it might be because I'm down-to-earth and tell it how it is!
Which skills are most important for an insurance broker to succeed in today's market?
- Communication - isn't that the key for any role?
- Responsiveness - even if I can't give you the answer right now I will find it out.
- Accuracy - goes without saying
- Personality - it's important when you chat to an insurance broker that they are receptive and honest and hopefully resonate with your situation.
What areas of insurance should people be aware of over the next 12 months?
- Rising premiums.
- Lowered cover, yet rising excesses - how the insurance market can ebb and flow.
We are always communicating changes or things to be aware of, and what we can do for our clients.
What's next for you and your business?
I'd love to grow my team so that we can provide more service to more clients, although it's super-important that I choose the right staff first.
Some brokers put clients and their income first (then get the staff to service them). I want to break that mould and put staff first - as happy and empowered staff means successful clients.
You can find me here: Jody Williams on Advisr
General Advice Warning: This advice is general and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the advice is appropriate for you and your personal circumstances. Before you make any decision about whether to acquire a certain product, you should obtain and read the relevant product disclosure statement.
All information above has been provided by the author.
All information above has been provided by the author.
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