2023 Break Out Awards NORTHEAST SOUTH MIDWEST WEST
JAMES McNITT Health care practice leader
Risk Placement Services Inc.
Chicago
James McNitt joined Risk Placement Services in 2014 after working at an insurer for several years. “When people talk about sales, I think about cold calling, but really this is a relationship business. That’s one of the things that has helped me to thrive,” he said. In his current role, he leads a team that specializes in placing medical professional liability coverage for hospitals, nursing homes and other health care entities.
How are technological advances affecting your job?
Technological advances impact a lot of the facilities that we insure. For example, during COVID, when employees weren’t allowed to show up, robots were being used in nursing homes as a way to communicate to residents. ... It’s also impacting us in the way that we communicate and underwrite with our carrier partners. We’re seeing more and more online binding and quoting portals for the smaller transactional type of accounts.
What do you wish more people knew about insurance?
I wish more people knew that it is a business that is really important to how the world turns and how the economy functions. A lot of the average person’s insurance experience is with their home and auto, and for younger people insurance may seem like more of a burden that has to be purchased because your landlord requires it or because you need it to be able to legally drive in a state. I think people don’t quite understand that insurance helps businesses stay afloat in the event of a claim.
Favorite hobby or pastime?
Cars and anything related to cars — buying them, racing them, playing with them, building them.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Not an insurance broker. A professional soccer player.
Favorite song?
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” by the Beatles.
