Independent Agent at State Farm
National Guardsman maintains family legacy with State Farm.
by Warren Duffie
Insurance companies usually want you to feel like they’re part of your family, someone you can trust in daunting times. But for Jason Reckard, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company truly is a family affair.
His father spent 30 years as a company agent and agency field executive; his sister is an agent in Florida; and an uncle in Pennsylvania is a retired claims adjuster.
“I literally grew up as part of the State Farm family,” said Reckard, a 24-year veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard. “Coming out of college, I knew I wanted to work for the company because it’s so committed to helping its customers.”
On The Job
Reckard, 41, has channeled the love of his insurance family into a successful agency of his own. Based in Canfield, Ohio, this lieutenant colonel has two offices, two employees, and more than 1,000 clients. His offices handle $2.5 million in insurance premiums annually. Reckard specializes in auto, home, life, and health insurance, as well as bank and financial services.
The Guardsman normally starts work at 0800, splitting time between his two offices. He develops relationships with new and potential clients, meets with current customers, handles claims and inspects homes.
“My military background has been instrumental in my success,” Reckard said. “It taught me discipline, keeps me task-focused, and helps me overcome adversity.
“I love the fact that people trust me and State Farm to protect the things that are important to them,” he continued. “It’s also great to be self-employed and to determine my success and destiny.”
The Company
It is cliché, but State Farm really is there … and everywhere else for that matter. The leading personal lines property/casualty company, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is among America’s premier providers of auto insurance. It is also the leading home insurer and offers non-medical health and life insurance through its subsidiary companies.
State Farm has grown to include more than 68,000 employees and more than 17,000 agents servicing 78.7 million policies in the United States and Canada. In just over 80 years, State Farm Insurance has grown from a small farm mutual auto insurer to one of the world’s largest financial institutions.
State Farm offers its employees a competitive starting salary — as well as comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, life, long-term care, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, and vision insurance.
Do you have a strong entrepreneurial spirit? Independent agents like Reckard benefit from State Farm’s legendary brand and tradition while still acting as their own bosses: “It’s the best of both worlds.”
In Uniform
A Cleveland native, Reckard joined the Ohio Army National Guard in 1985, while still a high school senior. At the time, the Guard offered Ohio residents a signing incentive whereby it would pay 100 percent of their college tuition if they attended a state school. Reckard attended Kent State University, graduating in 1990 with a bachelor’s in business management.
Upon graduation, he knew where he wanted to work: State Farm. He spent eight years as an auto claims adjuster and 11 as an independent agent.
“I liked the idea of working for a big company with lots of upward opportunities, a good reputation and brand recognition,” he said. “I also liked the idea of helping folks recover from a bad experience like a car accident.”
But Reckard didn’t neglect his military duties. After basic training, he attended military police training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. His duty stations included Germany, Nicaragua and Kosovo. Reckard recently returned from a year-long deployment in Iraq as the provost marshal of Camp Victory.
“Camp Victory is the largest base in Iraq, right near Baghdad,” he said. “I was basically the chief of military police. We handled all of the security on base – fights, suicides, homicides – any type of problem you might see in a medium-sized city.”
The Transition
Although Reckard has been a Guardsman with a civilian job since 1990, he has a unique perspective on military benefits: “As an agent, I’m responsible for buying my own health and dental insurance. Because I’m in the Guard, I can purchase TRICARE Reserve Select insurance at a very deep discount. I only pay $174 a month for my family. If you’re leaving active duty, you might want to consider staying in the Guard and Reserve.”
Reckard’s Advice
Make sure your prospective employer understands the value of your military training, experience, and leadership. “Prior service folks bring a wealth of talents and unique skill sets to the table that their civilian counterparts just can’t.”
Leverage any VA benefits that might be out there. “There may be financial assistance out there for business start-ups, as well as training and certification available at no or little expense to you. Work your contacts, network and research, and use the benefits that are available to you. You’ve earned them.”