IN GOOD HANDS

Insurance agent Esther de Pedro provides 30 years of experience and the personal touch.

The personal touch that insurance agent Esther de Pedro gives to her clients is reflected in the many office gifts she has received in return, and the phone calls she still receives from former customers who moved out of state years ago. And that personal touch sometimes includes taking calls at 2 in the morning.

“That’s what sets me apart from everyone else, because I don’t have an office without clients, so my clients know how to reach me,” she says. “I have a very good rapport with my clients.”

Esther, a bilingual Floridian of Spanish-Cuban descent, has owned Sun Country Insurance for more than 20 years and has 30 years of insurance experience overall. Along with colleague Steven B. Richey, she offers home, auto, life, and business policies from carriers with Allstate products or carriers approved by Allstate.

“We take a lot of pride in making our clients feel at home and giving them the best value for their policy,” she says.

Esther also is experienced in riding out Florida hurricanes, from Andrew to Charley to Irma. She’s in frequent contact with her clients throughout the year, and especially during hurricane season. After a storm, obviously, is not the time to ask whether you have hurricane coverage.

“What I recommend is know your policy, but more importantly, know your insurance agent and know that when you bought the insurance policy, they gave you the best products suited to your needs,” Esther advises. “Know your policy before you have the need of using it. Know what your policy does and what it won’t do.”

After a severe storm, take necessary precautions to prevent further damage, document any damage and costs with photos and receipts, and, lastly, be patient, she says.

“The insurance companies and the adjustors are working based on severity,” Esther says. “Everybody is important, but they do need to prioritize.”

When Irma blew through in September, she camped out in her office for fi ve days because she lost power at home. The decision was another sign of her commitment to clients.

“I could’ve stayed at a hotel or I could’ve gone somewhere else,” Esther says. “But I thought if I’m not going to be in my own home, where do I need to be? Here. This is my second home.”