Ted feels he is among friends and wanted to share with us in that way to tell us a little about his life and the Insurance World.

 

He was born in Cobourg in '50's. His grandfather sold insurance for Monarch Life, but also Justice of the Peace. His parents had the local license bureau when only cash was accepted and everyone had to get new plates at the end of February each year. There would be long lines, a lot of cash and a gun under the counter. One of Ted's early jobs was mopping the floor.

 

His dad died at 76 of heart disease, his mom is still going at 107. He hopes he has his mothers longevity.

 

Ted graduated from the University of Toronto in Urban Planning. That didn't work so he joined his father at Monarch Life as an agent. He joined State Farm in 1980 with no money but built agency from the ground up. Now it is the 5th largest in Ontario and top 10 in Canada.

 

In the '80's there were no computers, everything done by hand. Ted's office had a microfishe reader so they were high tech. He started in Port Hope and eventually got computers. Ted himself is certified as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) (Estate planning) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

 

His office has record for most policies in a month (278).

 

Bob Briden (Brighton Rotary's first president) invited Ted to join Port Hope Rotary in 1987. Ted was president of Port Hope Rotary in 1991. Ted's dad was president of Cobourg Rotary Club in 1987.

 

In 1993, Ted became manager for State Farm's Eastern Ontario agencies. He spent 3 years in Gananoque before returning to Northumberland.

 

In 2000, Ted was one of the Charter members of Northumberland Sunrise Rotary and 3rd president of the club in 2002.

 

He and Brenda moved to Brighton in 2014.

 

Ted took a leave from Rotary for a few years as Desjardins bought State Farm and the 4 year transition has been very difficult. Desjardins owes several insurance companies.

 

Auto Insurance - highly regulated by the Province. Distracted driving has become largest cause of injury. Vehicles now high tech and cheaper to replace than fix, so most are written off. Everything recorded and connected to VIN so diminished value of vehicles and people don't get value. People want to sue the agent so they have to record everything offered and denied by clients.

 

Home Insurance - Water is the new fire. Big losses due to water. People have finished basement. Hurricane Hazel was a major influence, creating devastating water damage. You could not get insurance for water damage for awhile, or very costly. It is starting to come back, the demand is there. But rate increases.

 

Ted says changes are coming and they will happen quickly.

 

Ted says he has the answer to How to Be Happy. But saving that secret for another time.