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Case Study                                                                  print 

Client          Cathedral of Faith
Location:     2315 Canoas Garden Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
Phone:        408•267•4691 l fax 408•267•9902
Date:           May 1997

Problem

Approximately 6 years ago Cathedral of Faith had no disability insurance, but had a separate agent for dental, 2 medical plans, workers comp, and property and liability insurance.  The church seemed to have numerous members selling insurance and everyone had a little piece of their business.  They had huge losses the year they self-insured their medical, and couldn’t hear from other agents all year until it was time to renew. 

Solution

They decided to look into short and long-term disability coverage (since as a nonprofit they are exempt from SDI).  A F. Derendinger Insurance Agency was selected as their broker of record.  We shopped 2-3 major carriers, made recommendations, and wrote the STD, LTD, and life policies with Standard Insurance.  Since signing Derendinger Insurance, Cathedral of Faith has only had one rate increase in six years.  They have had a few minor claims, all handled promptly by Standard, and one death benefit where there was some confusion as to whether their employee had been covered due to her age.  Derendinger Insurance personally made phone calls to Standard, and were able to get her beneficiary paid.

Additionally, six years ago Cathedral of Faith lost their dental carrier.  Apparently, they were a small group with high use and therefore were cancelled.  We secured dental coverage with The Guardian.  We always contact Cathedral of Faith a couple of months before renewal and offers with options.  It has been their choice to stay with The Guardian throughout the years because of the quality of their coverage and the stability it gives their employees.

Several years ago Derendinger Insurance was also signed as their broker of record for the medical insurance carriers.  When Lifeguard went out of business a year ago, we rose to the challenge and secured a carrier which would take less than 50% of a group’s eligible employees.  The new carrier attended their employee meetings, along with our staff, to help answer questions and facilitate enrollment.  

Customer Quote:

“The greatest compliment I can pay Marc is to say that he’s always available.  Even though he has a qualified staff, he makes time to speak with Cathedral of Faith personally.  He’s quite knowledgeable, anticipates problems (the Lifeguard bankruptcy), and has alternatives or solutions lined up.  He’s never overbearing, but at the same time doesn’t act like he doesn’t need our business.  I believe he gives us his best quote right from the beginning and doesn’t play the “What’s he quoting you?  I can beat that” game.  I know he has some large municipal and county accounts, but he still makes us feel as though Cathedral of Faith is important to him.  We have and will continue to recommend his services to anyone looking for employee benefit coverage. “  

Helping Northern California's private and public sector employers
achieve smarter insurance benefits since 1959.

A. Francois Derendinger Insurance Agency, Inc. License No. 0563986

1133 Saratoga Avenue San Jose, CA 95129
phone. 408.252.7300