Independent insurance agent enjoys challenges his new career offers

Sunday, July 16, 2006
Greg Boyd has opened Keith Boyd Insurance Agency.

SIKESTON - When Greg Boyd decided to make a career change, he had to look no further than his brother for an idea of what field of work he should try.

Boyd followed his brother Keith's footsteps becoming an independent insurance agent. Then he went one step further opening the Keith Boyd Insurance Agency in Missouri.

An independent agent, Boyd explained by licensing Keith Boyd Agency in Missouri, he was able to take on the same national companies already successfully represented by his brother in Illinois since 1997.

"It has worked out really well," said Boyd about his new agency, which officially opened May 1.

Independent agents represent a variety of companies, Boyd said. Among companies he can turn to for his clients include Drive Insurance, Allied Insurance, Met Life, Rockford Mutual, AIG and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Also the new company is licensed to provide home, farm, auto, boat, motorcycle and commercial insurance along with bonds and workers comp. Boyd added he is licensed for property and casualty insurance as well.

"Being an independent agent I can do the shopping for my customers to find the best price and the best coverage," Boyd said. He added this not only includes reviewing new policies but also when it is time to renew insurance he will again review the options to ensure his clients are getting the best possible offerings.

Working to find the best for his customers is nothing new to Boyd. He has been in the furniture and appliance business for more than two decades, the past eight years working for Kingsway Furniture in Sikeston.

And no matter the business, Boyd said his philosophy has remained the same. "I believe you should treat everybody as your only customer. You should be there to look out for their best interests," he said.

The career change has come with challenges. Boyd said he enjoys the fact that being self-employed he has more flexibility and the opportunity to spend more time with his wife and 3-year-old son.

"But this is a whole new field for me," said Boyd. "It is new and different from what I was doing. When an odd question comes up I have to research it to find the answers. But it is also an opportunity to work for myself."

Boyd noted many of those people he became acquainted with through his previous career have responded to his new venture. Also he has placed a large sign just outside his home/office at 20182 Highway 61 in Grant City and noted this has drawn new clients as well.

While licensed as an agent for all of Missouri, Boyd's clients are mostly from this region. He said he has already filled insurance needs for those from Sikeston and Scott County as well as residents of Mississippi and New Madrid counties.

"Overall business has been pretty decent," said Boyd about his first few months of work as an independent agent. "I've stayed busy."

Because he works from his home office, Boyd said his hours are flexible and he encourages those interested in reviewing their insurance needs to give him a call. The office number is 573-471-1991 and his cell phone number is 573-380-2413.

Or he adds: "Just stop by and say hey."

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