May 24, 2023
Jack Ramsey
San Antonio, Texas-based vice president, agency channel, Next Insurance
San Antonio-based vice president, small business sales, CNA Insurance
Small businesses are reopening and attracting customers quickly following the transition out of the pandemic. The need for insurance solutions, primarily for the small business segment, will likely grow over the next several years.
I am thrilled to join Next at such a pivotal moment in the company’s commitment to its agency channel. I’m particularly excited about this new role’s ability to leverage the connections I’ve made with agents. As I get ramped up, I want to focus on connecting Next with the largest brokers and agents in the U.S. specializing in small businesses and fostering relationships there. Agents are a vital part of the insurance process for many small businesses. As part of my role, I will initiate a full listening tour to hear firsthand the solutions Next can offer to best support the specific needs of agents, including potential coverage gaps and refine digital tools to help agents grow their customer relationships.
Agents are challenged to find simple, affordable and tailored solutions for their small business customers. Businesses with revenue and payrolls below $5 million are tough to serve in the micro-segment because the traditional insurer approach is too similar to the manual, human underwriter model. Next’s fully digital quoting, binding and service capabilities for the micro space uniquely position us to help agents turn this lower annual premium segment into a revenue stream for the agency.
I have been working in the insurance industry for the past three decades. My earliest experiences as a Nationwide agent gave me a unique perspective on how insurance companies can best work with agents. Over the years, I’ve held several leadership positions, including running sales, marketing and communications at Allstate Business Insurance, in addition to serving as the head of sales for CNA small business.
I would suggest a newer agent learn the commercial insurance industry as an “all types of businesses” generalist agent and soon begin to specialize in a particular industry or class of business that interests you and has a large volume of clients to pursue. I would also encourage a newer agent to approach solving the small business insurance market by size segment. For example, work with a digital-focused carrier for the micro, small business segment and have traditional carrier options for the mid to larger small business clients, which are often more complex and need formal review and approval processes.
I would want to work with a children’s hospital. Families experiencing serious health issues for their children have tremendous support needs, many of which they aren’t prepared for when faced with such personal challenges. I would help bring support resources into the health system for the parents, caregivers and siblings while their child is in care so that they can focus 100% of their attention on their loved ones.
Economics, industrial relations
As vice president of the agency channel, I can help Next own the agent channel by helping our agent partners solve the small business insurance buying journey. The digital approach to providing insurance coverage, competitive pricing, and an easy, efficient quoting and binding experience for small businesses and partners is why I chose Next. I’m delighted to merge my legacy insurer experience with Next and make something great.
Ribeye steak, medium, with grilled mushrooms, garlic potatoes, and Southern pecan pie.
“The 12 Week Year,” by Brian Moran, is a favorite to help you plan your work so that every week matters toward achieving and exceeding your goals.
My favorite, by far, is spending time with my family and new grandson Zeke. I also enjoy fishing and metal-detecting historic places.
Most recently my favorite has been “Ted Lasso.” Several great life and coaching lessons can be learned from his style. Some to do, several not to do.
Hang out with my family, enjoying a nice cold drink in the Texas heat; maybe at a pool, park or museum.
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