Our History

Summary

The Ted Todd Insurance Agency has experienced steady growth for 23 years—never more strongly than in the last year, even as the economy tanked. Just since January, they have acquired three other Allstate offices and will be opening a seventh office in July. In January and February, they wrote more than twice the number of policies over the same period last year, while headcount grew 32%. 

They've recently been replacing homeowners' policies where large companies have stopped writing them, representing some of the growth—but far from all of it. They're coming on strong, adding professional jobs for college-educated people with a robust pay and benefits package, increasing spending on technology to improve productivity and service levels, and maintaining their charitable contributions at a time the need is greater and others have cut back. In short, they're putting money back into our local economy…a very good thing.

History and Growth

Owner Ted Todd grew up in Indiana and graduated from the University of Evansville with a major in marketing and a minor in computers. He started with Allstate Insurance in 1986 in a small booth at Sears in the Edison Mall. Three years later, he opened his first small office in Gateway in the Barnett Bank building. In 1997, as Ted Todd Allstate Insurance, they moved to Estero and over the next 12 years steadily expanded to a total of six locations strategically located throughout Lee, Collier, and Sarasota Counties to be convenient to more customers than any other single agency in the area. All offices are first class and nicely appointed for client comfort. Sales have grown from $6,000,000 in premiums in 1997 and to >$30,000,000 annually. They’re writing more business today than ever before.

How they’re different

Customer centric focus

Every single person at Ted Todd Insurance is focused squarely on the customer. Client conversations are needs based and consultative. More than 50% of their business comes from referrals from satisfied customers.

They hire exceptional, college educated people and compensate them 25-35% more than other agencies to get top talent and keep them. Every employee is salaried (not commissioned), licensed to sell insurance, and empowered to do the right thing for the client. Managers work collaboratively as a cohesive team, as though it was their own business. Slackers need not apply.

Training has been a long-term hallmark of the company. They conduct regular, firm wide, training sessions during off hours, so that everyone can attend without sacrificing customer service. They’ll bring in industry experts to advance their knowledge in a broad range of insurance topics. They never stop learning—and that enables their agents to better serve customer needs. They’re real pros.

Products

They sell a wide variety of insurance products from property and casualty, business and commercial, and life and retirement policies, covering homes, businesses, condos, renters, autos, boats, ATVs, right on through personal policies for life and health, as well as investment vehicles. Two primary types of policies are:

• Homeowners' Insurance – With large companies pulling out of Florida and leaving homeowners in a lurch, the Todd office offers homeowners’ policies from 13 strong companies, with sound underwriting practices and strong reinsurance standards. As other companies reevaluate their future presence in Florida, it’s a big plus to deal with a single agency that can seamlessly switch the insurance to another company if one decides to pull out.
• Auto – As an Allstate agency, they have always been at the forefront of innovative auto insurance products. Current products reward good driving records. A special program forgives policyholders for an accident and rewards them with cash back and lower deductibles for safe driving years, which is unique in the industry. Good drivers win, bringing them to their doors…yet another reason for current growth.

Technology

They’re also techno-savvy. They utilize technology effectively to handle more workload and provide a better level of service. They’ve spent $120,000 so far in 2009 to install a sophisticated telephone system, computers and software that centralize all six offices into a single call handling operation. Incoming calls hunt for available staffers at any office. Every staffer can see everyone’s availability. No customer gets an auto attendant or gets dumped into voicemail…ever! It’s all about personal service…and it puts money back into our economy.

Competition

There is a lot of flux in the industry these days. It takes years to gain the kind of knowledge and experience that brings value like the Todd agency provides its customers. Customers are fearful about losing everything and have a lot of questions. In those situations, there’s just no substitute for choosing to deal with professionals who know their stuff. 

Large, national direct insurers offer a limited product line at a decent price. It may be more convenient to some buyers, such as on-line shoppers. However, their agents are commissioned on sales and work from a “one-size-fits-all” script that is designed to turn quick sales. They don’t see claims…or claimants. It’s just not personal.

On the other hand, Todd agents are full service, local providers. They see the pain and suffering that a drunk and uninsured driver inflicts on victims and understand the importance of proper protection. They keep current on home values and associated risks, such as floods and hurricanes. They provide valuable insight and guidance to help buyers select the most appropriate insurance for their individual needs, which can save buyers money and pain in the long run.

Awards

The Ted Todd Insurance Agency won Allstate’s Athena Award as its top life agent in 1994. There are 11,000 Allstate agencies in the USA. They are one of only 82 agencies in the history of Allstate Insurance to be included in this “Hall of Fame” short list in Northbrook, IL. Ted works actively with the home office as a charter member of the National and Regional Agency Advisory Boards, a member of the Chairman’s Inner Circle (the highest achievement level for distant agents), and is one of 21 agents nationwide who are redefining the agency model of the future.

Ted has been nominated for Allstate’s Ray Lynch Award this year, an award that recognizes one extraordinary individual each year who has made a significant contribution to his or her community. Only 11 agents nationwide have been nominated for the award to be presented in May. 

Charitable giving

Ted Todd is a man who gives back to his community. In 2006, he was asked to join the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County. He proposed developing a major annual event to raise money and awareness for the club. With the help of many volunteers, the “It’s Twilight Time” wine and food tasting event has raised over $270,000 for the organization over the last three years. In 2008, he was recognized as the top new board member in the State of Florida.

Final thoughts

Not the least of Ted Todd’s success has been the backup and support of his wife, Marilyn, for their 34 years of marriage. They have four grown children and now are the proud grandparents of two. She’s been a key contributor to the success and growth of the business through the years…even now pinch-hitting wherever needed. They’re a cohesive life team.

This is one business we in Southwest Florida can celebrate as it grows stronger and puts resources back into our local economy. Ted Todd has done it through vision, courage, commitment, good people, and loyal customers. The success of his agency is something everyone can celebrate.