Abby Hoover
Managing Editor
Shelter Insurance agent Sam Davis has been serving residents of Northeast Kansas City for 27 years, and he isn’t showing any sign of slowing down. He typically rises before the sun and has already gotten in his workout by 6:30 a.m.
After a quarter-century in the industry, Sam remains excited about the future of his business. He’s expanded across the state line into Kansas, and keeps his clients updated on social media. Sam said he would like to keep working for at least another decade, and retirement is far from the front of his mind.
“Most people my age are wanting to retire in the next two or three years, but I’m like, ‘No!’ I enjoy the business, I’m helping people, I’m having fun at it; and what else am I going to do?” Sam asked.
Early morning workouts certainly help Sam keep his youthful exuberance, but his love of coaching inspired him in his previous career. He began coaching softball in 1990 when his daughters started playing. Although they’re grown now, Sam still finds joy in the game.
“Very few people hang onto it after their kids are grown,” Sam said. “That’s the difference in me; I just look forward to it each and every year. Softball and work is what I’ve pretty much got going.”
On the business side, he has focused on home, auto and life insurance for private clients, but noted that Shelter Insurance has very competitive rates for rental properties – with options for both landlords and renters alike.
Sam prides himself on offering a personal touch to his clients. He cares about ensuring that his clients buy what they actually need, and not just shoehorning them into every policy on the books. To Sam, the job is all about relationship building.
“I’ve enjoyed the business for over 25 years, and really enjoy getting to know people on a personal basis,” Sam said. “We like to ensure that you get personal service from our staff, and not from an answering machine.”
Though he has expanded his business and works out of an office in Overland Park, Kan., Sam remains loyal to the Northeast. A resident of Northeast for about five years, it’s where it all began for Sam, and it’s still his bread and butter.
“I go there all the time because I still write quite a bit of business there,” Sam said. “I go through the Northeast a lot, like this morning, I just took my dog to the vet, so you know, I enjoy it, really.”
Sam hasn’t ruled out moving back to Northeast someday. He said the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has been a good source of information, referrals and friendships in the past.
One of Sam’s trademarks for many years has been his business cards, which have holes punched in them. For Sam, the hole punches symbolize the holes that exist in many people’s insurance coverage. It’s just another way for Sam to get people thinking about protecting themselves from calamity.
“You may have holes in your insurance coverage, and you need to talk to an insurance professional that will see that you are protected correctly,” Sam said.
Now a veteran in the insurance business, Sam doesn’t take long to identify his favorite aspects of his line of work. His passion lies in educating people and helping them make the right choices. He also noted that there are life insurance options that can be fairly affordable.
Sam stresses the importance of liability insurance, whether for a renter’s policy or a driver. He also recommends buying uninsured motorist coverage to everybody with a liability-only policy, but especially those living in busy areas or when parking on the street.
“I can’t guarantee you’re going to have enough, but you’re paying me to do my best job to protect you in case you have a loss,” Sam said.