The end of an era

all right. Just stick with me for this one. Its my blog and I can write about whatever I want…even if you find it boring.

Once upon a time, I started work at a BIG insurance company. After a few years, I was given a Christmas ornament/Religious Gift distributor as a key account. The year was 2001 and at that point this company had been with my employer for nearly 20 years already. I was the latest in a long line of Underwriters assigned to their account. It was a big account, generating nearly $800k in annual premium. They had every line of business we wrote…Property, General Liability, Worker’s Compensation, Umbrella, Auto, Foreign, Crime, Employment Practices Liability, Travel Accident, etc. They occupied a massive warehouse made of a spaceage material that was part EPS foam. They had warehouse racks that were 40 feet high and 100s of yards of conveyors belts that they whisked shipments down. They had Merchandise Mart showrooms in all the big cities and a local one where it was Christmas every day. They were a big deal.

The account took alot of time, reinsurance, payroll audits, loss control inspections, new locations, etc….but it was worth it. It became my baby and I knew it inside and out. Once, my company’s Home Office Property Manager came to town and I took him to see my account! I saw them thru a half dozen annual renewals, including one a few years ago where it looked like they were going to be bought out by a larger firm. Instead, they shook off the potential buyer and reorganized themselves to be a smaller more efficient company with a smaller product line. We had lunch every year, around the time of their annual renewal, and in between I corresponded with their agent about all sorts of insurance issues and visited when the need arose.

After one of those visits, about 4 years ago, I stopped in their outlet store and bought this:

Its a musical snowman who glides himself along a cord, kicking his legs and singing Christmas songs. At the end of the cord, he gracefully turns around and heads back the other direction. He is sound activated. (you might remember him from this post on beagooddad.com)

This snowman is one of the kids’ favorite Christmas decorations. I bought it because it struck me for 2 reasons. First, its unique. Second, its of very high quality. I had no qualms in buying it.

I am glad now that I have it, because earlier this week, I lost this account. Through no error of mine or my company, the account decided to move their insurance to another carrier and agent. They did so to save money. They needed to save money because they find themselves undercut in the Christmas Decoration market and losing customers to mass marketers who all sell the same cheaply made crap. 20+ years with us and then an abrupt move.

I worked that account for 8 years. It may sound silly, but I will mourn the loss. In my 10 year career with my employer I have worked literally a thousand accounts. They come and go for one reason or another. This account was always my constant. And no, I don’t get paid on commission or anything. I will miss this account because it was always mine. When I first inherited the account, it was a stretch to think I could handle it. But I did and over the years I made it my own. I ought to be able to shrug and say “oh well. That will free up alot of my time in December/January next year! Good riddance!” But I can’t. I will truly miss this account.

I like cheap things as much as the next guy, next time I see an “expensive” thing that is available in a cheaper knock-off version, I will think twice. Sometimes the cheaper option is not the best.

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