BRENT ALLRED | Age: 33 Transportation practice leader and managing director

Higginbotham Insurance & Financial Services

Chattanooga, Tennessee

A symposium at the University of Mississippi in Oxford sealed Brent Allred’s fate, leading him to eventually enroll in the school’s risk management and insurance program when he learned there was 99% job placement after graduation. “There was just a sheer need for young people,” he said. His niche became transportation insurance, where no day — or claim — is the same, and some days “just throw you for a loop.”

What’s your advice on navigating the current insurance market?

Communicate expectations with your customers based on what you know. Most of us have access to industry data to formulate a game plan, and we also use individual data on the accounts that we have access to. Use those resources.

How are technological advances affecting your job?

Telematics — that’s electronic logging devices, cameras or GPS systems that are in trucks. We use that to develop a rate based on driving behavior, versus just looking at a motor vehicle record. It’s helping sort out the bad apples.

What’s a problem that needs fixing in your sector?

There’s been an epidemic created with attorneys who say, “If we have any kind of accident with a big truck so much money is guaranteed.” We have to fight that narrative. Fight harder even when sometimes it’s going to be costly.

What do you wish more people knew about insurance?

It’s recession proof. We’re in a situation right now with economic uncertainty. Insurance is compulsory in most states.

What’s something about you that would surprise people?

I know more ’60s, ’70s and ’80s music than anybody my age.

Favorite hobby or pastime?

Playing golf.