It usually starts as an ordinary day. One moment you’re sipping coffee and packing lunches. The next, your teen calls from the school parking lot with a dented bumper or tells you they accidentally backed into a mailbox after dropping off their friend. Maybe after a summer storm you discover a leak in the ceiling right before guests arrive. Life has a way of throwing curveballs that aren’t always joyful, especially when you’re juggling family, career, and a home full of memories. That’s why having the right insurance protection isn’t just smart–it’s one of the most caring ways to show up for the people you love most, especially when things don’t go as planned.
We recently chatted with Ted Orzehoskie, a local State Farm agent with over 20 years of experience helping families in our community and beyond, who shared his insights on why an insurance protection plan—whether for your car, home, health, or future—can offer peace of mind and real security when it matters most.
After graduating college with an Applied Computer Science degree, he found his way to State Farm Insurance, not as an agent but as a programmer. From there he went on to own three computer reseller franchises. That experience taught him about owning a business, managing employees, and listening to the needs of his clients. All skills that have served him well as he has grown his agency––the last 15 years in Crystal Lake––to include eight fully licensed agents in addition to himself.
When we sat down with Ted, it was immediately apparent that he not only loves what he does but truly wants to support people in taking care of themselves, their loved ones, and their assets in the event of emergency and life altering events. He spoke about insurance as a form of care and preparation, not just protection. He shared stories of clients who found comfort in knowing their families would be supported during times of unexpected loss and grief
Ted pointed out that coverage goes beyond the ‘usual suspects’. “Most people understand the need for health and auto insurance,” he said, “but many overlook things like liability insurance—or whether their coverage truly fits their lifestyle.” We tend to avoid thinking about worst-case scenarios because they’re overwhelming—but Ted sees his role as helping families navigate those fears by breaking things down into simple, understandable terms.
A common misconception about life insurance, for example, is that it’s only necessary for the primary earner. “Even if you're a stay-at-home parent, your role carries incredible value,” Ted explained. “Imagine the financial strain of replacing everything you do — childcare, household management, emotional support. Coverage isn’t about income, it’s about impact.”
As Ted gently reminds us, while no one wants to imagine the worst, it’s often in the “what-ifs” that real love and responsibility show up. “There are five events that can change everything in a moment” he explained. “A major car accident, a serious illness, a house fire, an unexpected death, or being held responsible for someone else’s hardship.” As a father of three (a son, 25 and two daughters,) Ted doesn’t just talk about protecting families—he lives it. “When I think about coverage, I think about my own kids,” he shared. “It’s not about fear, it’s about making sure that, no matter what happens, they’re taken care of.”
That’s where the right coverage becomes more than just a policy—it becomes a promise. A promise that when life takes an unexpected turn, your family has a safety net to land on.
Imagine this: a distracted driver runs a red light, and your car is totaled. Or a routine checkup turns into a serious diagnosis. Maybe it’s a kitchen fire that spreads too fast, or a sudden loss that leaves your family reeling. Sometimes, it’s not even your crisis—it’s someone else’s injury or accident, and suddenly you’re the one being held responsible. These aren’t pleasant scenarios to think about, but they’re the very moments when having the right protection in place means everything.
That’s where different types of coverage are designed to meet your family at a various points of need. Auto coverage helps you recover from that car accident, so one moment doesn’t derail your everyday life. Health insurance ensures you’re not choosing between care and cost when illness strikes. Home insurance can be the difference between heartbreak and rebuilding when disaster hits. Life insurance provides peace of mind that your loved ones will be cared for, even in your absence. And liability coverage? That’s the one most people overlook—but it protects you financially if someone else’s crisis becomes your responsibility.
Each type of coverage plays a role in safeguarding what matters most—your people, your peace, and your plans. It’s not just about policies on paper; it’s about the comfort of knowing that, come what may, your family has a safety net.
At the end of the day, protecting your family is about more than policies — it’s about peace of mind. Insurance isn’t about expecting the worst. As Ted puts it, “It’s about loving your family enough to be ready––just in case, and honoring the role each person plays in your family’s life — making sure they are protected no matter what. You can’t predict the future, but you can prepare for it”