He’s under the umbrella of a nationally recognized brand in Nationwide Insurance, but Doug Schulz speaks more highly of his pride for the years of service his agency has provided the community.
His father started the business more than 50 years ago in 1963. Today, Schulz’ office stands where it has since 1980. You can see the sign with the blue and white Nationwide logo in the brick building across the street of Delaware Plaza in Elsmere.
“We focus on professionalism. … We focus on On-Your-Side reviews. … Full service insurance means full coverage,” said Schulz, Nationwide agent.
His team’s attention to the customer’s needs, in addition the decades invested within the community, has built a reputation. Their work with the Bethlehem Food Pantry and with the American Heart Association has made them good neighbors, and has translated into something of a legacy within his clients. “We’re working on our second and third generation of members.”
And, that’s how he sees the people who walk into his Delaware Avenue office. They’re members of the Nationwide Insurance Heritage Agency, and not just customers. They walk through the doors to address insurance needs for automobiles, home and life insurance. Business owners approach him for business insurance needs as well.
Schulz has been a licensed agent since 1990, and has seen the industry climate change over the years. Where the Internet has emerged as a useful tool to browse insurance options, insurance products have grown more sophisticated in both what benefits they provide, and to whom those benefits serve.
“There’s been so many changes since the ‘70s, the ‘80s, the ‘90s,” said Schulz. “In the old days we had a rating system.” That rating system, he said, was based on generalized factors that accounted for the insured’s gender, age and where they lived, among other things. “Now, the rating structure has everyone with their own rate, specifically determined to the individual.”
Affordable premium payments will always be a determining factor into buying an insurance policy, but Schulz said his team’s responsibility to know the customer helps the decision making process. In the end, his members are educated on the various benefits provided under the policy they purchase. Members learn what the premium payments are going towards, such as living benefits or endorsements. “We go over the policy in detail… so we go over everything the customer needs. Premium is immaterial if you haven’t gone over the specifics the individual needs.” So, instead of shopping for the lowest cost of insurance, Schulz said, “Let’s have a conversation about coverage. … Our members are not going to be considered a 1-800 number. They’ve going to be considered part of the Schulz agency.”
