When you were younger, you dreamed of going on international tours with a dance troupe, but fate decided otherwise. What happened?
I’m living proof that you can have several careers in a single lifetime! I initially studied the humanities with a specialization in law, and then trained to become a dance teacher. I then did massage therapy for a while, worked as a sports coach and took courses in accounting and office skills before finally entering the insurance field. I’m always up for new challenges and now find property and casualty insurance an exciting space where I can continue to feed my curiosity.
Do you learn a lot from being a personal property and casualty insurance broker?
The work is much more varied than you’d think. I’m interested in everything to do with protecting individuals and their assets. In fact, I’ve never stopped reinventing myself since starting this career. For example, after my initial broker training and a few years of on-the-job experience, I took the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) course, which not only allows me to work as a registered insurance broker in that province but also broadens my outlook on my profession.
What would be your best advice for someone purchasing their first home insurance policy?
People often don’t realize that insurance should be based on the cost of rebuilding the home and not its purchase price. It’s important to make the most accurate calculation possible. Many homeowners also fail to insure against water damage even though it’s one of the most frequent causes of home insurance claims!
Everyone wants to pay the lowest possible home insurance premium. What’s the secret?
If possible, the first step is to increase your deductible since this alone will substantially reduce the amount of your monthly home insurance premium. For example, with a $1,000 deductible and a claim-free record, you could qualify for a substantial discount come policy renewal time. In insurance, you need to think long term. Sometimes you need to spend more money up front in order to benefit from huge savings down the road. In addition, if you’re over 50 years old, be sure to take advantage of the benefits offered by the FADOQ network for seniors. You should also check out possible discounts associated with your occupation.
What aspect do clients frequently overlook when they take out a new home insurance policy as tenants or owners?
Don’t forget to declare any animal living in your house or apartment, especially dogs. It’s a question of civil liability in the event that your dog becomes aggressive or damages a neighbour’s property. Even if your dog is the friendliest creature in the world, there’s always a risk that things could turn nasty. However, your insurer won’t be able to cover you if you haven’t declared the animal.
You combine your job with another passion: community involvement. What motivated you to raise money for Les enfants GIOIA (“joy” in Italian)?
For a start, thanks to being the daughter of Jules Richard, who’s well known in Sherbrooke for his work with young people, volunteering has been an integral part of my life and family culture since I was very young. And, second, Marie-Josée Dubois, the founder of Les enfants GIOIA, is one of our clients. When I first met this amazing woman, I was immediately inspired by her organization’s mission to improve the daily lives of children with rare diseases. It was therefore completely natural for me to get involved with her organization. In fact, Assurancia Groupe Tardif encourages its employees to volunteer in the community. That’s how I have time to spend on this project, and with several colleagues, we’ve even created a committee to work on it together.
You clearly sometimes go above and beyond to help your clients, don’t you?
Well, although insurance definitely involves lots of figures and procedures, for me, it’s primarily a profoundly humane profession. I recently made a special effort for one of my clients, an elderly woman who was having trouble finding an insurance company and was also looking for an electrician. I took it upon myself to find her one because I have good contacts in this field. Whenever and however I can, I help my clients. Besides providing insurance, I and my colleagues feel duty-bound to offer help and empathy.
Your purchase offer is accepted – congratulations! So, looking for someone who understands your needs and the big projects in your life? Your best bet is an insurance broker with a wealth of life experience. Like Ann Richard, all our brokers have several strings to their bow and can give you advice with a human touch. Don’t hesitate to call us or get an online quote!