"Every other week it's someone posting on social media that insurance is a scam," says young agent Jason Guerrera. "I think it's incumbent upon us as agents and brokers to provide education and let people know, “Hey, this is why your auto premiums are increasing 30%-40%—here's really what's going on."
Jason Guerrera
Senior Vice President, Public Entity and Social Service
Meriden, Connecticut
Age: 31
Go-to drink order: Manhattan
No. 1 item on bucket list: Drive a lap on the Nürburgring
Favorite candy: Andes
Biggest industry challenges?
Being in the insurance industry, we see the good that the industry brings. It's an important function of our society. Internally, we see this as a noble profession. From the outside looking in, every other week it's someone posting on social media that insurance is a scam. I think it's incumbent upon us as agents and brokers to provide education and let people know, “Hey, this is why your auto premiums are increasing 30%-40%—here's really what's going on."
Role as chair of Big I Connecticut NextGen?
Working with the NextGen folks is an incredible experience because it's a body within the industry that's growing rapidly. There's this huge generational shift that's going to be occurring within the industry over the next 10 years. We're going to see a “silver tsunami" of folks in the industry looking to retire. We're going to have a huge wave of young talent coming into the industry, and that's exciting. To see it firsthand working with NextGen has been an awesome experience.
Future of the industry?
I'm really curious to see how artificial intelligence (AI) is going to interplay within the industry. I don't think that AI is necessarily going to replace roles within companies, but I think it will enhance underwriting, writing emails and things like that.
The other change I see in the future of the industry is that generational shift. I think it'll be good for the industry to give the younger generation an opportunity to take up the crown and push forward.
Pros and cons of multiple generations in the workplace?
We have a career track program where we bring in fresh college graduates and get them licensed and trained. It's been wildly successful. It's cool for me since I used to be the youngest broker in the office and now I'm in the middle. It's interesting to see how Generation Z operates, how I operate, and then how our coworkers in Generation X and the baby boomer generation operate.
The con that I've seen, which can become a pro if it's figured out, is it's difficult for Gen Zers and millennials to work with Gen Xers and baby boomers because often they have different optimal modes of learning. They think differently and understand information differently. I like taking notes with pencil and paper, but maybe Gen Zers prefer their computer. How do you manage those different personality types and backgrounds? It's a challenge if it's not addressed. If it's addressed, each generation offers its own strengths and perspectives that can make the workplace better as a whole. I think that diversity is important for creating a fun, dynamic work environment.
Work-life balance?
I have a lot of clients that are July 1 renewals, so, usually, I'm constantly on the move from March through May. We had a client that had a fire at 9 p.m., and it's important to be available in those instances. The flip side is that if I look at my calendar and see that it's an absolutely gorgeous day, I can try and get out of the office at 2 p.m., so I have flexibility as long as my clients and appointments and other commitments are met.
Goals for the future?
I'd like to see myself in management someday. To eventually graduate to become a sales leader is a goal for me in the future. I'm not there yet. I'm still young and still have a lot to learn, but it's certainly something I'm aspiring to do.
AnneMarie McPherson Spears is IA news editor.
