Now in my fifth week with Liberty Mutual, I’m ashamed to say I find the Insurance Business quite interesting.  Paul and Ian could tell you, I have amassed quite a collection of Surveys & Annual Reports on my desk, as I try and figure out this business called Insurance. 

Most of us think of Insurance as a necessary evil, something we have to have, many people believe that Insurance companies look for any excuse not to pay out, they’re all take and no give.  But that is not always the case.

Paul and I went on a visit to one of the sales office, and we met with an insurance salesperson who I found quite remarkable.  On his wall were numerous awards from Liberty Mutual, immediately I was thinking “Here we go, Mr. Sales all shiny suits, no substance”, I was expecting a lecture on the ABC ‘Always Be Closing’ instead as I sat down I noticed that his cube was adorned with copious amounts of thank you notes from his clients.  Not only was it very obvious that this guy can sell insurance, he clearly wasn’t just building a book of business, he had a network of friends, people who were in his calendar so that he would always remember, their birthday.  Most of the people in similar roles to him, do their selling over the phone, he believes in meeting the customer in person, getting to know them, understanding their needs, and selling them results.

Insurance companies like responsible people, not only do they make better people, but they make better customers.  Liberty Mutual believe, in doing the right thing, they don’t always succeed in this but they strive to every day.  They have a website called the responsibility project which has the sole purpose of stimulating discussion on responsibility, and creating responsible communities.  They are involved in community safety initiatives, and they present the Firemark Award to firefighters who show valor and selfless spirit.

The Liberty Mutual Foundation which awards grants in education and health/human services, and also invests in health care and mentoring programmes for low income individuals.  The total giving for Liberty Mutual and its employees was over $33 million in 2008, some examples of those who benefited are:

Childrens Museum of Portsmouth ($100,000 over 2yrs), to offer hands-on exhibits that explore music, art, math and science, and to present school and community outreach programmes.

Boston Health Care for Homeless Program ($500,000 over 5yrs), to support the Mallory Building Project so that BHCHP can continue to provide and ensure access to the highest quality healthcare for Boston’s homeless.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ($500,000 over 5yrs), to support the capital campaign to dramatically boost the Center for Community Based Research’s capacity to advance life-saving cancer-prevention initiatives.

So when it comes to renewing your insurance, I hope this leaves a slightly sweeter taste in your mouth.