Being a good neighbor for 20 solid years

BY GINNY PRIVITAR
WEST MILFORD — If anybody knows insurance, it’s Tom Ziegenbalg. He’s been an agent for 35 years with State Farm Insurance, and is celebrating 20 of those years in West Milford.

Ziegenbalg’s been working for State Farm in one capacity or another since he attended West Milford High School. He started in a work-study program and later worked in claims, human resources and management before starting his own agency in 1996. He holds the registered representative designation for security products.

Ziegenbalg recalled with a laugh the first time — as a high-schooler — he heard about a job at State Farm. He thought it was an actual farm until a neighbor told him it was an insurance company.

After high school, Ziegenbalg commuted to William Patterson College and worked part-time in the mail room at State Farm when they had their regional office on Route 23 in Wayne. After college, he worked for State Farm full time, where he continues today as an independent agent.

Although selling insurance may not be the most glamorous of professions, Ziegenbalg loves what he does. For him, the most difficult part of the job is also the most satisfying.

“Just being able to protect the customers that I insure with adequate coverage, being able to provide good customer service, especially during time of need: catastrophic events (like) a homeowner’s claim or life insurance claim — it’s gratifying to fulfill our obligation during time of loss.”

He sells the full range of State Farm Products: auto, home, life and business insurance; mutual funds and State Farm bank products, including vehicle loans and financing; certificates of deposit; savings; checking; home loans and home equity loans. As an independent agent, he has the ability to save clients money through higher discounts when they bundle different State Farm products.

Ziegenbalg takes his company’s “good neighbor” policy seriously; he’s even gone to clients’ homes to have coffee and conversation, especially if they live alone.

He’s also quick to acknowledge the contributions of his team of licensed sales associates: Judy Davie, Danielle Sweezy, his son David Ziegenbalg, Kelly Gillow and part-timers Lindsay Wright and Mary Intile, all of whom either live in town or are originally from West Milford.

It means a lot to be able to assist their clients.

“When someone has lost their home to a fire and all their personal belongings have been destroyed, it can be the most rewarding when you’re there to provide assistance to rebuild their home with money from the claim,” Ziegenbalg said.

When not selling insurance, Ziegenbalg enjoys golf, boating, working out, cooking and spending time with his sons, identical twins TJ and David, 27, and son Matt, 19.

Ziegenbalg is an active member of the West Milford Rotary and has served on the board of directors and as a past president and is also a member of the West Milford Chamber of Commerce. He has donated his time to the community in several endeavors, serving as a youth coach and running bike safety and child ID programs. Ziegenbalg's donated car seats to parents and teddy bears to the West Milford Police Department. He participates in the Autumn Lights Festival and has sponsored the Bubbling Springs Concert Series "Under the Stars."

It’s a misapprehension to think selling insurance is boring, Ziegenbalg said.

“Here, as an office in town, we deal with the public on a daily basis, whether by phone or walk in…Every day is a little unique and every day brings a different challenge.”

He and his team need to remain well-versed on the various products they offer.

“School’s never out for me or my team members,” he said, “even just staying on top of technology.”