The role of an insurance broker crystalized for Tim Graham in a few short moments during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was when he saw the truck suspended in a tree outside his client's devastated facility when it hit home. As an insurance broker, he was in the business of survival.
“Brokers are liaisons between carrier and client. The good brokers are advocates for their clients. Our role is to navigate clients away from risks that can cause serious financial and legal ramifications and if a claim occurs – we resolve the claim with minimal impact to the client's business operations and bottom-line,” said Graham. “On the front end, Horton's risk engineers can establish the appropriate safety protocols and culture for a company. But then once the inevitable claim does occur, our firm also employs some of the best claims advocates in the business. These experienced professionals perform a valuable liaison role between claimant/employee and the adjuster, allowing our customers to stay out of the fray and continue focusing on running their business.”
In his role as President of the Property/Casualty Division in Chicago, one of Graham's many tasks is talent recruitment and development. “In order for The Horton Group to keep our competitive edge, we will continue to work on attracting the next generation of talent and refine their skills through training, support and client knowledge”.
A key component of Graham's success includes industry specialization. “I believe no two clients - even within the same industry - are exactly alike”, says Graham. “Horton's approach is comprehensive risk management combined with industry specialization. Our sales and service staff have accumulated a high degree of insight and expertise within their client's field. We have to understand the factors affecting our clients' industry and the nature of our clients' business so we can address all their risk management needs. Simply stated, we are more than their broker – we are their partner.“
Like many insurance people, Graham didn't plan on an insurance career. “I left Loyola expecting to work for a few years, then enter law school,” but a career counselor at the university persuaded him to take an interview for an insurance sales job, and he liked the people and the company – and stayed.
“The industry is fiercely competitive, which makes us perform better and ultimately provide more for our clients,” Graham said.
He, his wife and their four children spend most of their free time involved in a variety of kids activities and sports. The children naturally Like the camaraderie and competition, he said, but it's especially valuable because they see the results of their hard work while having fun. That fits well into his philosophy.
“The harder you work, often times the luckier you get. But there's still no substitute for controlling what you can and working hard,” Graham said.
