In high school, Teri DiGrande worked a part-time job at an insurance agency. Thirty-eight years later, she’s still in the same industry. “I thought every job I've ever had in insurance was the best job ever, and so I just stayed and moved up the career chain,” she says.
Fifteen years ago, she transitioned from corporate to running her own State Farm® agency in Morris Plains. “I wanted to be around more for my family, for my children,” says Teri. Her husband Frank is also in the industry, and on their first date, she told him she would marry him one day.
Luckily, Frank felt the same way. Thirty-one years later, they have two grown daughters and are still in the career they love, although he works for a different company.
Teri’s agency motto is “Enter as strangers, leave as friends.” “It’s all about relationships,” she says. “We really talk to customers about what they and their families need.”
Being licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania allows her to assist even more people. And, since she’s been in business for so long, her clients include multiple generations of the same families. “We have people who have been insured with State Farm for 50, 60, 70 years.”
Clients know they will speak with Teri or one of her team members when they call with questions, concerns, or a claim. “We're not a 1-800 number. You speak with someone who personally knows you and your family. State Farm is the number one insurer in the country for a reason.”
When it comes to choosing insurance, it’s essential to have expert guidance. “You usually find mistakes when you need insurance the most, and in my 38 years, I've never seen the industry the way it is today. It has become very restrictive, so you must talk to your agent and have an insurance review.”
Significant weather changes are also affecting the industry. “In the last seven to 10 years, we have water coming into places that never had water before. We have cars flooding out like we've never seen before.”
It’s also vital to update your insurance when your life changes. “If your insurance agency isn’t reaching out to you, you need to find a new one. We stay in touch with our customers regularly to ensure they have what they need.” Teri says people may also be missing out on helpful discounts.
In addition to home, auto, and life, State Farm offers a wide variety of other policies, including pet insurance. “We have an alliance with Trupanion™, one of the top pet insurance companies,” she says. “I have an old English bulldog named Stella. She comes to the office occasionally and clients love her. But, she's always at the vet, so I’m thankful for this insurance.
Teri’s agency also specializes in business insurance. “I understand it well because I'm a business owner too, and I love working with the small business owners within the community.”
Speaking of community, she also loves to give back. “I'm the business liaison on the Downtown Morris Plains committee,” she says. “We do events with many organizations, including Habitat for Humanity®.”
To speak with Teri and find out if you have the right insurance for your needs, go to TeriDigrande.com
“We have people who have been insured with State Farm for 50, 60, 70 years.”