BERLIN – Just because you can purchase insurance online with just the click of a mouse doesn’t mean you should.
That, insurance agent Joseph Pastorie explains, is why he’s opened the first Farmer’s Insurance office in Berlin.
“Most people don’t have much knowledge of insurance,” Pastorie said. “They might think they do but they really don’t.”
Pastorie opened his Farmer’s Insurance office on Old Ocean City Boulevard in Berlin this week. Pastorie, a Millsboro resident, came to the insurance business after years of owning furniture stores.
“Insurance is something we all have to have and we all need several variations,” he said.
After doing his research, Pastorie decided Farmer’s was the company he wanted to be associated with. In addition to being the third largest insurance company in the nation, he said Farmer’s Insurance was known for quality service.
When he found out the company hadn’t made it to Delaware yet, he decided to set up shop in Berlin.
“Being the first Farmer’s agent in this area, I saw that as a ground-floor opportunity,” he said. “One of my goals is to build a nice business close to the ocean.”
Pastorie hopes to help local residents with their insurance needs, whatever they are. While most people realize the importance of auto and home insurance, Pastorie pointed out that there were a variety of other types available. In this area, boat insurance is something to think about.
“If something should happen, you could lose everything you worked your whole life to build,” he said.
Though it’s easy to purchase insurance online these days, Pastorie says anyone who’s not sure of exactly what they need should consider working with an insurance agent. Often, those who buy insurance themselves are under-covered.
“They’re looking at the price of the policy,” he said. “A lower price almost always reflects less coverage.”
The other benefit to working with an agent is the opportunity to work one-on-one with an insurance expert.
“If you have problems or questions, there’s a personal relationship that’s developed,” he said. “Not a voice on the phone five states away but someone in your own community who knows you.”
Pastorie’s office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call 443-513-4137.