2018 Break Out Awards, Midwest: Shawn Hall
Posted On: Jun. 4, 2018 12:00 AM CSTSHAWN HALL
Senior vice president, director of business development
Breckenridge Insurance Group Inc.
Chicago
Age: 31
Shawn Hall is a workers compensation specialist, overseeing carrier relationships and new business growth and development strategies for Breckenridge Insurance Group Inc. He started in insurance in 2010 and began his tenure as a specialty broker in 2013. Mr. Hall graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with majors in English, psychology, and theatre. He was an actor and a model prior to working in insurance.
Emerging risks in your specialty
In the workers compensation space, we are seeing a huge drop-off in claim frequency across the industry, but severity is quite high and rising. I think we have a far more litigious atmosphere coupled with more sophisticated employees that, even though business owners are creating safer work environments, creates a difficult environment for carriers and business owners to operate in.
Job change over the next 10 years
With my focus being on larger, national accounts, I don’t see a ton of change occurring. There will certainly be tech developments that streamline claims processes, loss control, carrier (and) client communications, but I think I am lucky to be in a space that will almost always require a more nuts-and-bolts approach to underwriting and risk analysis.
Advice to someone starting in the business
Just work harder than the next guy, return every call or email promptly, and be honest. That mix will set you apart.
Best-kept secret about insurance
Day to day, it feels like make-or-break, living-and-dying with every deal, but it will all even out in the long run.
Hobbies and interests
Family, work (and) going to the gym as the distant third.
Favorite meal
Something obnoxiously healthy that most people would probably find gross.