A lot of people make big career decisions based on their family, but most of the time it has to do with bringing more money home to create more financial security. For Paul Broom, though, switching careers had nothing to do with money but everything to do with having more time to spend with his family.
Working as a car salesman at Mack Grubbs and in the auto industry for more than 20 years, Broom worked six days a week and rarely had the chance to spend his Saturdays with his two sons, Caleb and Cody. In 2015, Broom was approached by Columbia’s Allstate branch owner and made the decision to become the face of Allstate in Marion County.
“Sammy Robbins, who was here 15 years, said ‘Man, you ought to buy my business.’ All I could think about is being off on Saturday,” Broom said. “A year later I was sitting in this office, and he was retired.”
Prior to taking over the business Feb. 1, 2016, Broom went through extensive training with Allstate’s headquarters.
“I spent two weeks in Northbrook, Ill., at the Allstate home office, then I spent three weeks at the regional office in Nashville with various other training,” he said. “I have security licenses in property and casual, auto and life.”
Allstate in Columbia, located at 262 S. High School Ave., offers home, auto and life insurance, as well as securities, annuities, mutual funds and retirement and college saving plans.
“With Allstate there is a financial representative who goes from office to office to help with all that stuff because I, per se, don’t do all that stuff,” Broom said. “I’m licensed for it all, but I’m focused on home, auto — motorcycles, 4-wheelers, boats and stuff like that — and life insurance.”
Broom credits his detailed approach as an insurance agent to his days as a car salesman, describing each feature in a vehicle so the customer was aware of what they were purchasing. He does the same thing at Allstate by going over each individual’s particular circumstances and developing the proper insurance plan.
“Most people don’t realize what they have. They just call an insurance company and ask for insurance on their car,” he said. “I like to explain the liabilities, comprehensives, collision, and rental car and go through all that. Most people don’t understand how a homeowner policy works with what is covered and what’s not.”
As with every insurance company there is no guarantee customers can save money by switching to Allstate, but it maintains competitive rates.
“An insurance agent does not have control over the price outside of trying figure out the discounts with different things. But we are competitive with our prices. If we weren’t, I wouldn’t be able to write any policies,” Broom said. “From credit scores, fire ratings to how many claims you’ve had, there’s so many variables the computer picks up to create a price.”
Broom said his focus is directed more to being able to help people than becoming the most recognized insurance agent in the area.
“I would like to grow this business, but I really want to continue helping people just like I did in my previous business,” he said. “I enjoy helping people with their insurance needs.”
Broom is assisted at Allstate by Licensed Sales Producer Haley Brumfield.
“(She) has been with me since day one. She’s licensed in insurance, too. She can help you with your insurance needs just like I can and can write insurance policies. She does a heck of a job.”
Allstate in Columbia can be reached at (601) 731-1616 or paulsbroom@allstate.com and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Although Broom enjoys being off on Saturdays to be able to spend more time with his family, he is always prepared to work in case of emergencies such as big storms or tornadoes.
Customers can also be assisted by calling 1-800-Allstate.
Pictured Above: Licensed Sales Producer Haley Brumfield, left, joins Allstate owner and agent Paul Broom in assisting customers with their insurance needs at the Columbia branch on South High School Avenue. Broom took over the business in February 2016 and said he makes it a priority to help customers understand each aspect of their insurance plans. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
