The personal lines market is seeing direct insurance carriers gaining market share at an extraordinary clip. Direct carriers have always been a strong competitive force but recently, more than ever …
Read MoreShowing your value in a hardening personal lines market
While 2020 was a disruptive year — to say the least — for property & casualty insurance, one thing remained constant: It marked the continuation of a hardening …
Read MoreWhat emerging technologies are shaping the future of personal lines?
Change, it’s said, is the only constant. For many insurers, change can be a harbinger of new opportunities and new risks.
As we look ahead, evolving technologies are presenting …
Read MoreAre You a Pet-Friendly Agency?
Two-thirds of U.S. households own a pet, according to the American Pets Products Association. Of those, 77% are dogs or cats, but only 2% of them are insured, …
Read MoreSocietal Shakeup
Umbrella coverage offers attractive protection for those who worry that their underlying insurance policy limits might not be high enough or that insurance gaps might be leaving them …
Read MoreThe Elements of Great Customer Service in Personal Lines
When an agency sells insurance to an individual or family, it is not just meeting a need; it is interacting with them in an intimate way. It’s more …
Read MoreHow the Pandemic Turned Homeowners Insurance Upside Down
In 2020, Americans have spent more time at home than ever before. From working at home to school closures, the family unit has shifted to the new normal. …
Read More
Meet the Team
Mike Rice, Principal
Mike received his Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University and his Law Degree from Vanderbilt University. Mike has spent his entire life and almost his entire career in the insurance industry. Mike grew up in the insurance business around an independent agency founded by his grandfather and then run by his father. After graduating from and spending time with the Taft, Stettinius & Hollister law firm, Mike spent 12 years with American Financial Group, Inc., and its insurance affiliates, Great American Insurance Group and Great American Financial Resources. He founded The Insurance Connection in 2005. Mike resides in Cincinnati, OH with his family.
Bill Caesar, CIC, CPCU, Agency Growth Coach | Commercial Lines
Bill grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He has been in the property & casualty insurance industry his entire career. Bill Lives in Centerville, Ohio with his wife Karen. They enjoy spending time with their three Newfoundland dogs, golfing and playing bridge.
Sara Rogers, Personal Lines | Access Plus Manager
Sara has been a Property & Casualty Agent for over 17 years, specializing in personal lines. She started in the insurance industry as a telemarketer where she obtained her property and casualty license as well as her life and health insurance license. Sara has prior experience closing sales for Fortune 500 companies and as the office manager and lead underwriter for American Heritage Insurance Group’s Springfield office. Sara joined The Insurance Connection in 2014 and is the personal lines point of contact for newly signed ISMs until they receive their direct appointments with carriers. Sara resides in Medway, OH with her husband and has three children.
Aaron Newman, Personal Lines | Access Plus
Aaron has been with The Insurance Connection since June. He has been in the insurance agency for 31 years. Aaron has his AINS &API and obtained them from The Insurance Institutes. Aaron currently resides in Mason and has three dogs.
Shelly West, Commercial Lines | Access Plus
Shelly began working at American Heritage and The Insurance Connection in August of 2021. She has over 10 years of insurance experience. She was born and raised on the West Side of Cincinnati and still lives there with her modern day Brady Bunch family. She is a mentor and PTA Member with the Oak Hills School District. Christmas is her favorite holiday because she loves spending time with the family and goes all out decorating.
Holly Schick, Accountant | Compliance
Holly received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from Xavier University. Holly’s accounting experience spans over 26 years in general accounting for small to mid-sized businesses and not-for-profit’s. Holly has worked for The Insurance Connection since 2011. She resides in West Chester, OH with her son, Joey.
Abby Blair, Regional Vice President/Recruiter
Abby earned her Bachelors in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Morehead State University. She spent 14 years in Lexington, Kentucky specializing in high net worth Life Insurance sales, marketing and plan administration. She worked with trust administrators and investment management teams to provide a holistic experience for their clients. Abby moved back to the Cincinnati area and joined The Insurance Connection in 2022 as their recruiter.
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