Her daughter called from the side of the road after a car accident. As she started the claims process in the days that followed, a Gainesville mom discovered that her policy didn’t include the coverage she thought she had, and insurance stopped being just paperwork in a folder.
She had purchased her insurance directly through a national carrier. Everything seemed fine at first, with a simple setup and competitive rates, until her daughter’s accident revealed there was no collision coverage. A closer look uncovered more gaps, including no theft coverage on her husband’s high end vehicle. She told me, “If I had known, I never would have chosen those options.” But she didn’t know because no one had
walked her through the fine print.
The aftermath only added stress. She spent days calling customer service lines, telling the same story to different representatives who didn’t know the history of her claim. What should have been a moment of support quickly turned into an exhausting ordeal.
Stories like hers are why I love local. When you work with a local insurance agent, you get more than a policy. You get a person. Someone who understands your situation, notices gaps before they become problems, and helps you choose the right coverage with confidence. And if a claim arises, you have an advocate, someone who manages the forms, follow ups, and back and forth so you don’t have to carry that burden alone.
Since opening my office here in Gainesville, I’ve seen what an incredible community this is for small businesses. I’ve met photographers, designers, printers, and entrepreneurs. They are people who pour passion into their work and support one another.
Do not wait for an accident to expose a gap in your coverage. If your insurance is handled by a national carrier directly, reach out to a local agency and sit down for a real conversation about your policies. Ask a few questions, compare options, and see if your coverage still fits your life today. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Loving local isn’t just about where you shop. It’s about who you trust to protect what matters most.
Edwin Duque, GreatFlorida Insurance of Gainesville