Going beyond customer expectations is a big factor in achieving success, but for Katie Edwards and the Edwards Insurance Agency, success is measured in the little things.
Since it opened almost 14 years ago, the Edwards Insurance Agency has delivered customer service at the highest level, and Katie’s clients appreciate the attention to detail her agency provides and its friendly way of doing business.
During those years, Edwards Insurance Agency has thrived and achieved impressive growth. In November 2010, the firm expanded to its office at 11113 S. Kedzie Ave., in Mt. Greenwood.
Katie’s competitive advantage comes from the little things, such as picking up the phone to return a customer’s call. Many of her new customers tell her that a lack of personal service was why they left their former agent.
“So many people tell me they switched to us because they couldn’t get a call back from their agent. They don’t feel important,” Katie said. “We do everything we can to assist our customers. We truly go that extra mile.”
Before opening Edwards Insurance, Katie spent more than 10 years in the industry handling customer service responsibilities. During her many years of serving customers at a Top 5 insurance agency, she saw that people want an insurance agent who does more than just sell insurance. They want someone to help them with the unexpected.
When she opened Edwards Insurance Agency in October of 2008, she decided on a simple motto: “Where the Customer Comes First.”
She uses her expertise and knowledge of the insurance industry and its products to build long-lasting relationships with her customers. And given the impressive growth of her agency, that motto has been put into action for many local residents.
On staff with Katie is Office Manager/Agent Yvonne Biszewski. They are dedicated to going above and beyond the expectations of each customer.
Edwards Insurance Agency offers insurance for auto, home, life, business and health. Representing top insurance companies like Erie Insurance, AAA Insurance, Travelers and Progressive, Katie and Yvonne offer customers the best coverage and the best price.
Katie’s hard work has earned her status as one of the top agents in her district for Erie Insurance, which is understandable given the outstanding service customers get from Erie, a multi-line insurance company, offering auto, home, business and life.
Erie Insurance was named to Forbes list of Best Insurance Companies, ranking it in the top 2 percent of insurance companies. Nearly 4,200 insurance companies that offer property and casualty coverage, life and annuity coverage or health insurance were evaluated in five different areas including financial advice, customer service, price/performance ratio, transparency and damage/benefit ratio. Of those companies, only 90 were recognized.
“This recognition speaks directly to the importance of an insurance agent in the shopping experience. The guidance, insight and personal attention that Erie agents give to their customers is not something that can be replicated online,” said Tim NeCastro, president and CEO of Erie Insurance. “To receive this distinction is a tremendous honor.”
Katie is a fully licensed life, health, auto and home insurance agent with nearly 25 years of experience. All of her insurance carriers are A+ rated or better.
She grew up in Oak Lawn and attended Mother McAuley High School.
Great credentials are one thing, but it’s the day-to-day service that has allowed Edwards Insurance Agency to succeed in saving customers time and money.
With recent increases in expenses like property taxes, many consumers are diligently shopping around for a better rate on homeowners insurance, and they’re calling Katie and finding out they can save money!
Katie and Yvonne are there to answer any questions and take care of the details. That type of service is hard to find, especially with today’s online insurance companies. Although signing up online can be easy, people soon discover that it’s better to have someone they know on the other end of the line when they’re in a jam.
Edwards Insurance Agency also saves local residents money by reviewing their current coverage to assure they are neither under-insured nor over-insured.
She has saved her clients thousands of dollars, simply by doing the extra work it takes to make sure the job is done right.
That includes letting customers know they can save hundreds by combining their home and auto insurance. She said the average savings for her customers has been $400 a year.
“Most people think it’s cheaper to have one policy with one and one with the other, but it’s not,” Katie said. “Having both policies with one company saves you money.”
Katie is also licensed in Indiana and Wisconsin, which is great for local residents who own properties along the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
In order to stay current on developments in the insurance industry and to maintain her competitive advantage, Katie regularly attends continuing-education seminars.
The Edwards Insurance Agency has also been a friend to the community and is a member of the Mt. Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. It has been a supporter of the local Y-Me softball tournament to fight breast cancer.
Edwards Insurance Agency is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon.
For more information or a quote, call (773) 396-5526 or e-mail edzagency@gmail.com. Visit online at edzagency.com.
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.