If you were to walk into Dave Mitchell’s childhood home, premiums and policies might have been part of the conversation. “I grew up in a family where my father was a successful life insurance salesperson,” says Mitchell. “I never knew I would follow his footsteps, but I did learn early on that insurance was not about money; it was about people.”
His own entry into the business was not planned. In the late 1970s, while working in grocery management, his auto insurance agent told him he had the type of personality that could make it in insurance sales. Mitchell became licensed in 1980 and immediately knew he had found his calling.
Then in 1982, Mitchell and his dad started Ideal Insurance. “We could only afford one phone line,” he shares. “My mom would use a three-minute kitchen timer, and we would rotate the calls so the customer could get through.”
More than 40 years later, Ideal remains a family-owned and operated business, with Mitchell’s daughters holding a license to sell insurance, as well as two grandsons. “We started with a shoestring and a prayer,” says Mitchell. “What’s helped us survive all these years is putting the customer first.”
According to Mitchell, the biggest issue facing the industry today is misinformation. He says he often encounters a family that has not purchased the proper endorsements, such as back-up of sewer and water, underground pipe coverage, or guaranteed replacement cost, on their home policy. He says auto buyers often overpay on gap coverage, as well as a family not purchasing a personal umbrella policy, which has the power to protect their savings. “These aren’t flashy conversations,” says Mitchell, “but these are the conversations that protect your savings.”
For Mitchell, the distinction between a good agent and a great agent is clear. “A great agent is proactive. Life changes constantly, new drivers, remodels, businesses growing. Your insurance should change with it.”
Smart Insurance Tips
1. Review your policy annually.
Update changes in marital status, drivers, assets or property values.
2. Don’t shop on price alone.
Proper coverage matters far more than saving a few dollars upfront.
3. Ask about overlooked endorsements.
Sewer and water back-up, underground pipes, product matching and guaranteed replacement cost can prevent major out-of-pocket expenses.
4. Consider a personal umbrella policy.
It’s an affordable way to significantly increase liability protection.
5. Explore gap coverage through your insurer.
It’s often far less expensive than dealership options.
After decades in business, Mitchell still believes the formula is simple: communicate clearly, keep learning and treat clients the way you’d want your own family treated. “Insurance may not be exciting,” he says, “but when life happens, it becomes the most important conversation you’ve ever had.”