Preferred Partner: JennieDibala

Written by

Roland Rodriguez

Photography by Brianna Cortez Photography

Jennie Dibala- State Farm: Finding Beauty in the Storm

As an elementary school teacher, Jennie Dibala knew a lot about caring for people. She taught students to be prepared, and she walked with students and families through tough times. After experiencing Hurricane Harvey and helping with relief efforts, Jennie discovered that her genuine concern for others, and her ability to teach were the perfect combination for owning an insurance agency. Now she helps people and families prepare for disasters, and she walks with them through the recovery process.

Jennie Dibala had been an elementary school teacher in Michigan before she and her husband John moved to Corpus Christi in 2010. She started teaching at the Seashore Learning Center on Padre Island, and Jennie also created a leadership development business.

Then Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017. Dibala continued teaching and developing leaders, but she also actively participated in hurricane relief efforts through her church, New Life Church. As she stepped into a voluntary leadership role, it felt like a full-time job.

“I was leading hurricane relief efforts for several different counties and volunteer teams,” explained Dibala. “During the process, I came across many people who didn’t understand their insurance policies and were having complex insurance issues, and some who didn’t have insurance.”

During the post-hurricane clean-up, she was focused on helping others, and not thinking about becoming an insurance agent. She was just glad she was in the right place at the right time to help hurting people. “I felt very exhilarated and excited that I was helping people. But at the same time, it was exhausting, emotionally and physically, because we were helping people who came back to nothing. Their homes were completely destroyed,” she recalled.

Jennie explained, “The volunteer work was extremely emotional, but as I was taking care of people, it just made me feel alive. It made me feel like I was doing something really good to help others in need. God had me right where He needed me, in that time of need, for those folks.”

Dibala served as a volunteer leader for six months, even when other volunteers had to leave. “That made me start thinking, ‘Where is this going?’ I didn’t want to be a storm chaser, but I still wanted to help people,” she said.

Jennie went to a networking meeting that she had previously been involved with through her leadership development business. While she was there, her good friend RJ Alfaro with State Farm in Portland asked if she would consider being a State Farm Agent. The agent complimented Jennie for doing wonderful things as a volunteer, and then said it was the same type of thing State Farm Agents do! RJ had explained, “We help people be prepared for the unexpected, and we help them recover if they have an event where they need us.”

Jennie had thought insurance seemed boring, but after praying, she felt she couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Dibala set up a meeting with a territory leader. “I let God lead me through the process. I took several exams, passed them all, and got licensed,” she recalled. The process to become an agent was difficult. State Farm was very particular, and no one could simply buy an agency. She had to go through every step.

Finally there was an opening for an agency. Dibala completed her interview in late June of 2018. She was awarded an agency, and then started working on the required twenty-plus weeks of rigorous training.

Two weeks after she was awarded her new position, Jennie found out that she and John were pregnant with their first child. She was due to deliver in March of 2019. Jennie worked hard to learn about the systems and processes of the business. She worked just as hard preparing to be a first-time mom.

“This all comes down to relationships,” explained Jennie. “It’s about having conversations with folks, and showing them you understand. It’s about being able to educate them on the coverage they have, and what they need. It’s all about having the heart to help people.” Dibala completed her internship, and opened her insurance agency on January 1, 2019.

She had her baby February 20, 2019, a few weeks earlier than anticipated. “It all worked out,” smiled Jennie. “We hit huge goals in our first year.” Jennie fulfilled her State Farm temporary contract, proving herself in her first twelve months.

“What I have is pretty amazing,” said Jennie. “I have been blessed, and I believe ‘to whom much is

given, much is required.’ I grew up with a single mom, and we didn’t come from a lot. I never take anything for granted. I worked hard for what I have and where I am at, so giving back is a high priority for my family and I.”

Jennie and John have given back to their Coastal Bend community through Habitat for Humanity, various charities and organizations, and youth sports teams. “It’s really important to us to do this,” she said. “We want to lead by example.” Texas was once again officially named the most severe weather state in the country. It is the only state with exposure to nine different types of natural disasters. Texas has seen enough weather-related destruction already this year, from heavy rains, tornados, and violent hailstorms. Experts say Texas is currently in another ‘very active’ Atlantic hurricane season, which officially started June 1.

“My number one goal is to tell people to meet with their insurance agent and understand their policy. I try to educate them as much as I can,” said Jennie, passionately. “People need to understand what is covered and what is not. The role of the agent is to explain to the client what can happen with their coverage in ‘what if’ scenarios.”

Dibala said that people need to meet with their insurance agent annually because things change. “Houses change. We add things to the house, and it may not be covered until you have told your agent about the changes. I tell my customers they have to be prepared.”

One great idea Jennie shared is for people to take photos or videos of their house with all the cupboards and drawers open so they’ll be able to go through their inventory checklist. This checklist is something every insurance agent should provide for their clients so that the clients can identify what they have in their homes. “You want to have that documentation, in case there is a natural disaster like a hurricane, and you lose everything. The insurance company needs to know what they need to purchase for you to replace,” said Dibala.

The volunteer work was extremely emotional, but as I was taking care of people, it just made me feel alive.

Without enough insurance, or the right insurance, the financial ramifications of a natural disaster can be financially devastating for the victims. Dibala cautioned, “We can’t stop the next storm from happening, but with the lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey, we can be better prepared.” Harvey was one of the largest and most intense hurricanes to hit Texas, causing more than $150 billion in damages.

“The best way to prepare for hurricane season is to have a plan in place,” continued Dibala. “When a named storm enters or forms in the Gulf of Mexico, it is too late to purchase insurance.” At that point, explained Dibala, insurance companies put in a moratorium or a freeze, so that agents cannot write new policies or change coverage.

Jennie also wants to make sure people know that distance from coastal waters can have an influence on a home’s minimum level of deductible. She said, “Ask, ‘Do I have hurricane coverage?’ and ‘What will my deductible be?’ because a lot of companies will just sell a fire policy, and wind and hail damage will not be included in a policy. So be careful, and be educated, and make sure you have all your bases covered.”

Dibala shared that if a storm should hit and damage someone’s home, the first step is to assess the damage with before-and-after pictures. Then call and file a claim with your insurance company. She also recommends that tarps be placed over anything that needs to be covered so there is no further loss. Your agent should be able to confirm whether you have dwelling coverage and/or dwelling extension coverage, and help determine if the damage is worth filing a homeowner’s claim.

Jennie said that many victims don’t have flood insurance. Floods are not covered under homeowner insurance policies.

Consumers have to purchase special flood policies. “All of Corpus is in some type of flood zone, but not all zones require flood insurance,” Jennie explained.

“I like to tell my clients that there are three types of water damage that can happen at your house: sudden and abrupt damage like a pipe burst, slow leakage and seepage, and flood damage, and that requires a rising water policy. It is well worth the peace of mind. In the event of flooding, unless the area is declared a federal disaster area, there’s not much relief without a policy. And even if an area is declared a disaster area, most government assistance is in the form of loans.”

My whole mission is to develop relationships with people and be really present in their life.

Jennie shared a few final recommendations for homeowners: • Prepare property for the possibility of a natural disaster, beginning with the roof (the first line of defense against wind and hail) • Strengthen doors and windows • Review insurance policies, and reach out to your agent with any questions

Jennie Dibala continues to teach her clients and the community about preparation and recovery. Her expanded life mission, inspired by her volunteer work after Hurricane Harvey, helps her bring care and relief to her community. Jennie cares about people and looks forward to helping them be informed, prepared, and at peace. She would love to visit with anyone who is interested in learning about wind-hail deductibles, hurricane damage, including windstorms in their policies, or rising water policies.

“Part of my mission is to build relationships with folks as their insurance agent. My whole mission is to develop relationships with people and be really present in their life,” said Jennie, who is expecting her second blessing. “I want to be more than an insurance agent. I want to be a part of their family. I want them to feel like family, and know I have their best interest at heart. That is the whole reason I am here.”

Contact Jennie today to find out more tips on how to protect your clients during this hurricane season.

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Jennie Dibala

STATE FARM® INSURANCE AGENT SERVING THE ENTIRE COASTAL BEND, TX 5425 S Padre Island Drive, Suite 122

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