Why I Still Believe Insurance Agents Matter

Everyone says you can do everything online now. Buy a car, get a mortgage, order groceries. You can even buy insurance in five minutes and never talk to anyone. That sounds easy, but it’s not always better. Sometimes you just need a person who knows what they’re doing. That’s something I’ve learned from watching Jared DeBrabander work.

Jared spends his days talking to people who tried to figure out insurance on their own. They go online, fill out a few boxes, click “buy,” and think they’re covered. Then something goes wrong. They get a bill they didn’t expect, or their doctor isn’t in network, or they find out the plan doesn’t include something important. That’s when Jared gets the call.

He doesn’t sound like a salesperson. He just talks like a normal guy who knows his stuff. He asks questions, listens, and walks people through what they actually bought. He doesn’t push new plans or talk in circles. He just helps them understand. I’ve heard him explain policies line by line until someone finally says, “Okay, that makes sense now.” It takes time, but it’s worth it.

The truth is, people don’t really want automation when things get complicated. They want someone who actually cares. They want a real voice that can explain what’s happening. Jared gets that. He told me once that half of his job is fixing problems that started because someone bought insurance from a website that didn’t explain anything. He doesn’t blame people for it—it’s just how the industry has changed. Everything’s built to look fast and easy, but when you actually need to use your insurance, it’s never that simple.

He’s worked with families, small business owners, and people trying to get back on their feet after losing jobs. He says it’s the same story over and over: people don’t mind paying for insurance if they actually understand what they’re getting. What makes them upset is realizing too late that they don’t. That’s why he spends so much time explaining the small details.

Jared doesn’t use scripts or call centers. He answers his own phone, even after hours sometimes. If a client texts him a random question at night, he replies. He remembers people’s names, their kids, where they live. That kind of thing doesn’t sound like much, but in a world full of automated everything, it stands out. It’s the reason people stick with him for years.

I’ve watched him work long days without complaining. He doesn’t brag about it or act like he’s saving the world. He just wants to make sure people aren’t blindsided by something they didn’t understand. He says, “Insurance isn’t about policies—it’s about people.” That line stuck with me. It’s true. Behind every policy there’s a person just trying to protect their health, their family, or their future.

Technology is great when it works, but it can’t replace that. A chatbot doesn’t care if your claim got denied. An app doesn’t explain why your plan costs more this month. Sometimes you just need someone who listens and helps you fix it. Jared does that.

I don’t think agents like him are going away anytime soon. If anything, they’re becoming more important. The more the world moves toward automation, the more people crave real connection. They want someone who knows their name and answers when it matters.

So yeah, you can buy insurance online in minutes. But when something goes wrong, you’ll wish you had someone like Jared DeBrabander to call. That’s why good insurance agents still matter. Always have, always will.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to trust. That’s the word Jared uses the most, and it fits. People don’t want perfect answers—they just want someone who’s honest with them. Someone who explains things straight and doesn’t disappear when there’s a problem. That’s what makes an agent like Jared different. He reminds people that behind all the forms and numbers, this business is still about helping others feel safe and understood.