Astronaut. Firefighter. Insurance sales agent?
“I grew up saying, ‘I don’t want to do what my dad does. I want something different,’” Matt Leliaert recalled. “Then life happens.”
Principal Agent
After enjoying a successful career as a corporate headhunter in Cincinnati, Ohio, Matt found himself facing an uncertain future as a single parent with full custody of his 2-year-old son.
Exhausted and hours away from family or core friends, he knew his life needed to change.
“It was early 2009, we were in a recession, the job became harder, commissions were tight,” he said of his 10 years as a finance headhunter. “It was fine, but something happened that Friday before I came back for Easter.
“I called my dad.”
It was then that Matt decided to join the family business.
Following in the footsteps of his father Randy, he ultimately ascended to principal agent when he purchased the Osceola, Indiana-based Leliaert Insurance Agency from Randy.
The Independent Agency Difference
One of the things that distinguishes independent agencies like Leliaert from captive agencies is the ability to offer a wider variety of insurance products. Captive agencies, as the name suggests, are tied exclusively to one insurance carrier and can only offer the products that carrier provides.
“The service, knowledge and longevity of employees sets us apart but its not the biggest difference,” Matt said. “The biggest difference is captive agencies can only sell the products of one insurance carrier.”
Independent agencies, on the other hand, have the freedom to shop around for the best policies and rates from a variety of carriers, ensuring customers have access to the coverage that best suits their needs, regardless of the carrier.
Independent agencies also have more flexibility in terms of pricing, as they are able to obtain rates with various carriers. Every carrier prices risks differently.
“The relationship you have with underwriters and the carriers means as much as the relationships we have here among employees or with clients,” he said. “They need to be cared for with honesty. We do everything we can to retain credibility.”
Additionally, independent agencies such as Leliaert prioritize customer service and long-term relationships with clients, rather than just closing a sale and moving on. This personalized approach means clients receive the support they need, when they need it, building a sense of trust and a strong appreciation for the agency’s commitment to them.
“We have people who have been with us for 35 years,” Matt explained. “It’s familiarity, peace of mind. If something goes wrong, we can shift you over to better-suited coverage if needed.”
And for Leliaert Insurance Agency’s leader, an independent structure has afforded freedoms that corporate, captive agencies could never promise — or price.
“The value for me was getting myself into a position where I could be available to my family when they needed me. It’s allowed me to coach soccer, tee-ball, attend field trips, be a bigger part of my kids’ life.
“It was a good move.”
How Leliaert Insurance Agency Can Help
At Leliaert Insurance Agency, we believe making the switch to an independent agency should be an easy decision. Our knowledgeable staff shares decades of experience in finding the right insurance policies for our clients, whether they’re searching for personal, commercial or group coverage.
The Leliaert Agency office can be reached via text message or landline call, and we can help immediately with any insurance questions or concerns. Additionally, we can send customers their insurance policy information and photos via text message for easy access.
Contact us today and let us help you select the best insurance coverage to meet your needs.