Marketplace: Troy Miller Agency

By Denice Rovira Hazlett
January 23, 2012
438

Teaser: Daniel Raber thought it was time for a change. He had been in the residential new home building business in Wooster for 11 years as co-owner of Hilty and Raber Construction, and he wanted to look for new insurance options for his small fleet of vehicles and crew of workers. He was interested in competitive pricing, of course, but he also wanted to work with someone locally, someone with a hometown feel who understood the special needs of a small business. He decided to contact the Troy Miller Agency to discuss his options with manager and salesman Tom Markely. "Tommy Markley met with me," Raber said, "and gave me some really competitive prices. I appreciated the small-town atmosphere, so when Tommy asked if he could have a try at meeting our needs, I was very comfortable with that." So Raber made the switch to the Troy Miller Agency to cover his three constructions trucks as well as to provide on-job liability and theft protection. He had saved money and felt good about the relationship he'd begun with Markley. But would the agency be able to step up to the plate if ever he needed to file a claim? Story: Troy Miller has always been an outdoors kind of guy. He grew up in Holmes County where he spent his high school years working on the dairy farm next door. There, he developed a deep respect for farmers and felt that, one day, he'd become a farmer himself. Life took Miller in a different direction, that of an insurance agent, but the farm life is still close to his heart. Miller, his wife Nona, and his children, West Holmes students Clay, Kate and Taylor, are very active in 4-H. He makes it a point to attend the farm science review every year just to see what's coming. "I love contractors and farmers," Miller said, whose uncles were contractors. "I can't get it out of my blood. Now Miller has been in the insurance business in Holmes and Wayne counties since 1993, and his love for farming, construction and small business is one of the things his clients appreciate about his exceptional service. "We do really well in the middle and smaller markets," Miller said. "That's our niche." And because Miller lives and works in Holmes and Wayne counties, he wants to be sure that he serves his neighbors well. "We personally know and care about the people we insure," Miller said. "We know their families, and we see them in public every day, so we want to be a true partner to them." To that end, the agency is actively involved in the community, sponsoring an annual Easter egg hunt in Shreve and Berlin, and serving barbecued chicken every year for the Shreve Business Association. Last year, the agency gave t-shirts to every student participating in 4-H in Wayne and Holmes counties, a total of 550 t-shirts. This year brings an even bigger giveaway.Throughout the summer, the Troy Miller agency will be attending local events to promote the summer giveaway they're sponsoring in partnership with Progressive Insurance. Any new clients who receive an insurance quote or current clients who refer a friend to receive a quote will be entered to win either a new generator or an off-road style golf cart. They'll reveal the winner at this year's Doughty Valley Steam Days on July 26-28. It's all part of serving the community. Daniel Raber, co-owner of Hilty and Raber Construction of Wooster, had been working with the Troy Miller Agency for two years when he was faced with a small liability claim from a new homeowner. "I called Tommy Markley and he contacted an inspector immediately. He made a commitment to work with the homeowner so I wouldn't have to," Raber said. "It was a small issue, but it was a big weight off of my shoulders." Not only was Raber pleased with the professional way the agency handled the claim from beginning to end, he has appreciated the other services the Troy Miller agency has provided. "In construction, you have to be bonded in a lot of cities," Raber said. "The agency has been very prompt at getting the bonds to me on time." Raber said builders also require a yearly liability update, and the agency has met that need. "Tommy's been very prompt in getting that out, which is important to me," said Raber, "because if I don't receive that that liability update, I don't get paid." Troy Miller said that, when it comes to both life and work, he lives by the Golden Rule. He learned his business sense in Sunday school, he said, not business school. "When people experience a loss and are sent out of their home, yes, we can repair their property, but we also want to serve them emotionally and with compassion." Miller believes that's part of what sets the Troy Miller Agency apart, but the chance to save money never hurts, either. "Honestly, we offer what everyone else does, auto, home, business, life, but for small businesses--Amish contractors, roofers, companies with ten employees or less--our rates for business liability and commerical vehicle are almost unbeatable." That's because, as an independent agency who can represent folks through companies like Erie, Progressive, Grange, Wayne Mutual and German Mutual, the Troy Miller Agency doesn't work for the insurance companies; they work for their clients, focusing on providing them with the right coverage and the most competitive price possible. "Every year, we look at our clients' policies," said Miller. "We have all those companies to go to, and if we see an increase in the rates in your company, we're looking for lower rates to keep your price." For Miller, serving his clients isn't just business. It's personal. "This occupation just kind of found me, and I like the people, so that's why I'm here," Miller said. "If I can help people when they need it, that's what makes me happy." The Troy Miller Agency has two locations to best serve their clients. Visit or call them at the location nearest you. Shreve Office 160 S. Market Street Shreve, OH 44676 330-567-2626 Berlin Office 5252 State Route 39 Berlin, Oh 44610 330-893-2446 www.troymilleragency.com

Marketplace: Troy Miller Agency

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