BY GINNY PRIVITAR
WEST MILFORD — Tim Phillips of Access Insurance Group knows the insurance business; he’s been in it for 35 years, starting in 1980 with Prudential.
In 2007, Phillips started his own insurance agency and worked out of his home. But, according to Phillips, “Working from a home office meant doing most of my business over the phone.” Now, he’s opened an office in the center of town, across from town hall, to have “more one-on-one contact with a client to best evaluate their needs,”
“I like to stress the importance of dealing with an agent – I see so many people nowadays get their insurance from the internet and they really don’t know what they are buying and only discover the lack of coverage when they have a claim,” Phillips said.
Why is insurance important?
“To make sure you have the right amount of coverage and are not exposed to anything that could hurt you financially," said Phillips. "You should review your policy every couple of years because rates change and you could save a couple of dollars, and it’s good to have a relationship with an agent who can shop and provide the other markets that are available.”
Circumstances can change, too, like if you marry, have a child or move to a new home.
Access Insurance Group, LLC, stands out from the others, according to Phillips.
“We are able to write business with multiple carriers.”
Access has approximately 15 commercial carriers and 10 personal line carriers.
Access insurance is also a member of the SIAA (Strategic Independent Agents Alliance), which, Phillips says, “gives a small agency the tools to compete with a large agency in terms of having access to a number of insurance companies, like Travelers, Metlife, Hartford, Nationwide, Harleysville and many others to make sure we are able to provide a client with the right coverage at the right price.”
Phillips and his wife, Kim, have a lakeside home and enjoy kayaking, canoeing and fishing. He also has two grown children, Amanda, 24 and Jake, 22. When he’s not selling insurance, Phillips relaxes by playing golf and dining out.
What’s the best thing about his job? “To be able to help people understand insurance and provide the coverage they need.”
Access Insurance is located at 1489 Union Valley Road. Contact Phillips at 973-846-7889 or tphillips@accessinsgrp.com.