Category: Business

Bill Sullivan, the owner of GreatFlorida insurance in the Cory Lake Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, says the local area – especially nearby Wesley Chapel – is experiencing growth, with lots of new businesses and new families moving into the area.

He wants to help these people be sure that they’re properly covered and paying the best rates possible when it comes to their insurance needs.

So, on May 25, GreatFlorida Insurance hosted a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) ribbon-cutting event, “to let people know we’re here,” explains Bill.

“We offer traditional home, auto, boat and motorcycle policies, along with renter’s policies, general liability and umbrella coverage,” Bill says. “We also offer a wide variety of insurance products for business owners, such as commercial property insurance.”

GreatFlorida Insurance is a network of independent, franchised insurance agents that has been in business since 1991, with more than 100 offices located throughout Florida. Bill owns the New Tampa location, which originally opened in 2005 with a previous owner. That owner sold the business to Bill in 2013. Bill says he made the purchase because the previous owner — who was retiring— had a very well-run, diligent and ethical business, a business that he has been able to build on and grow over the last three years.

Bill earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and then worked in investment banking for 25 years in New England. Looking to make a change, he and his wife Julie moved down to Florida in August of 2012. Bill got his “2-20” insurance license so he could sell all lines of Property & Casualty Insurance. Julie also works in the office as the office manager and customer service agent. She is a Licensed “4-40” Sales and Service Representative. The Sullivans also work with two agents – who also hold “2-20” licenses – Nicole Weaver and Julie Morgan.

GreatFlorida sells policies from many different auto insurance companies, including Travelers, Safeco, Mercury, Progressive, and Hartford, and homeowners insurance companies that include Prepared, Heritage, Safe Harbor, and Peninsula.

Looking Out For You

Bill says statistics show that 85 percent of people are inadequately insured – either they have too much or too little.

For example, Bill says he often sees empty-nesters who had high limits when their teenage children were driving and two parents were commuting to work, but now that it’s just the two of them – and maybe they’ve even retired and aren’t commuting anymore themselves – so, do they really need all that coverage? The agents at GreatFlorida Insurance want to help clients be sure they’re neither over-insured nor under-insured.

Not only do people’s life circumstances change, but the way insurance carriers price policies change, too.

Bill says insurance carriers are “fickle” and the things that change in a year can have a big impact on the price of an insurance policy. “One year, insurance carriers like a certain area, and the next they don’t. Rates change and go up, so we think we should review your policies at least every 12-18 months.”

That’s why the agents at GreatFlorida Insurance automatically and proactively watch to see if rates increase whenever your policies come up for renewal.

“Most people buy a policy and then don’t look at it again for four or five years,” he explains. “People view it as time consuming. So, we do that ‘dirty work’ for you to take that away.”

That’s exactly why Wesley Chapel resident Kathleen Zagaros says she switched her home and auto insurance policies to GreatFlorida. She was frustrated that her former agency didn’t seem concerned that her policy renewal prices were going up and didn’t offer her any alternatives, prompting her to wonder, “If you have to start doing your own research to find a better policy, why have an insurance agent?”

When Kathleen reached out to GreatFlorida, however, she says she found something very different. “Bill and Julie provide excellent and personalized service,” she says. “They want to find the best policies for their customers. Instead of you having to call them, they already know and have other options to present to you. I was able to change my homeowners insurance as well as our car insurance for less money and better coverages!”

Kathleen says she also likes that she can do business with the Sullivans over the phone and via email. “It’s so easy and not stressful at all!,” she says, adding that she likes that she has an advocate if she’s in an accident.  “If you are involved in an accident, they are right there to help you through the claims process.”

Kathleen says Bill and Julie and their employees understand what good customer service is all about and go out of their way to provide it. She says they all have great senses of humor and that talking with them is like talking to a good friend or a close neighbor.

“Julie’s title is ‘Director of Customer Happiness & Office Operations,’” Kathleen says. “I think that says it all!” Because she is such a happy customer, Kathleen says she highly recommends GreatFlorida Insurance all the time. And, Bill says she’s not alone in her endorsement.

“A good majority of our business comes through referrals,” says Bill, “I take that as a compliment.”

Flood Insurance

One tip Bill is always sharing with clients: Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover damage from a flood.

“A lot of people are dismissive about flood insurance because they’ve never experienced a flood and think it won’t apply to them,” says Bill. “But, for as little as $299 annually, you can have peace of mind should something happen.”

“I personally went through it up north,” Bill says. “I never would have thought I needed flood insurance because I was far inland. But then, it rained for 14 days straight and we had water damage, and I paid for all the damages out of pocket. It was a costly lesson.”

He stresses that, especially in Florida, water damage leads to other issues, too. “With our heat and humidity, we need to be concerned about mold,” says Bill. “Mold is toxic and airborne, and the cost of having a home repaired and remediated is expensive.” He says this can be a huge problem for snowbirds who may leave their home for a few months at a time. “If there’s any water damage while they’re gone, it doesn’t take long for mold to take hold and grow substantially. “

Bill says if a Realtor refers someone to GreatFlorida for a homeowner’s insurance quote, he and his staff always provide a flood quote, too. “The lender doesn’t require it, and the client doesn’t have to take it, but we still highly recommend it.”

“All of Florida is a flood zone,” says Bill, “to what severity depends on where a home is located.”

To find out how GreatFlorida Insurance can help you, call 994-1143 or visit GreatFLTampa.com. GreatFlorida Insurance is located at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite C.