Getting to Know Our Insurance Broker: A Q&A with Celeste

What made you decide to become an insurance broker?

Interesting question, as I don’t think it was ever a question in my life. My gran, mom, aunt and both uncles work in the industry.

My first memory of insurance was when I was about 10 and all the kids were taken into the office to do the filing. Around the age 13 we were put to work to answer calls and taught how to lodge mobile claims.

By the time I was 17 it was one of my part time jobs and from there it eventually became part of my life.

What do you enjoy most about your job as an insurance broker?

I enjoy the people you meet, the connections you make and the amazing relationship you build.

What sets you apart from other insurance brokers in the industry?

I’m nothing special, but will try my best to help my clients in anyway I can and learn as much as about them, their business and their passions to streamline their insurance needs.

How do you build and maintain strong relationships with your clients, and what strategies do you use to ensure that they feel confident and supported throughout the insurance process?

In the world we live today, time is so valuable! My main goal is to create a easy, stress free environment for my clients when it comes to insurance. Be available on all technology platforms and give them reassurance when required. Drive to them so they not taking extra time out of their day.

"Very impressed with Chris and the team and we refer many of our clients to GYB who never let us down. Their claims advocacy service is very forward thinking, excellent business, highly recommend."

- Maurice Stilwel, Vanzeal Limited

“Very impressed with Chris and with his experienced and passionate team.”

- Xue Mengqi

“Alan Jecks has been amazing and we now have insurance for the voyage sorted and paid for. Can’t thank you enough Alan.”

- Malcolm Miller

“Chris has kept my business safe for over 8 years now. He's always there when I need him and lets me know when my cover needs reviewing, but doesn't sell me stuff I don't need. Cheers Chris.”

- Richard Bacon

“We use GYB for all our business insurance, brilliant, gives us peace of mind that they have our back covered. Thanks GYB.”

- Ann & Howard Woolston, Smartway Builders

“GYB are my business insurance broker and I can highly recommend them. They are great to deal with and very approachable. Chris and the rest of the team are very knowledgeable about business risk and how to manage it.”

- Steve Hockley, Nephets Consulting

“GYB have helped us with our business insurances and many of our clients. It’s great to work with a good company that specialises in the area we don’t, so our clients get full coverage.”

- Alan Borthwick, DUX Financial Services

“GYB have got my business very well covered! I sleep easier knowing we have the right insurances in place for the risks involved in our business. We'd had to add in things part way through the year and that was a very easy process and the yearly reviews is brilliant, we can see new gaps that have arrived but also removed cover that is no longer required! I highly recommend working with GYB and I refer people to them all the time. (They've also helped many other people I know in business and they are all really happy).”

- Keegan Walls, Outaboundz

“Thank you for the exceptional service from you concerning our recent insurance claim…In terms of our overall insurance requirements, we have found GYB very helpful and very much working for our best interests in securing competitive quotes and generally attending to our account.”

- Managing Director, Wellington

"Chris Jecks set us up with travel insurance for the whole company. Thank you GYB."

- John Evans, Hayman Lawyers

"Thanks team for looking into professional indemnity stuff for me - we got sorted in the end! Really appreciate your help in trying to source an NZ provider for me - I know it's not what your core business is so really thought the extra effort was awesome."

- Anna Thomson, Roar Fierce and Rich Nutrients

“Chris is very focused on the insurance needs of his clients. He has put together a nice insurance package for my company and I am very happy to work with Chris. We are currently using GYB insurance to do all our company insurance. After a very long relationship with another broker we are very happy with their professional approach, and with all the ground work they do for us, ultimately saving us dollars and offering a more comprehensive package. Cannot recommend them enough.”

- Kevin Bovey, Auto Care Kilbirnie

“We started our business five years ago. We asked several friends in business to recommend a broker and none could! Eventually we were put in touch with Brad James who quickly and efficiently organised the policies we needed. I really appreciated that Brad spent time finding out how our business operates and then made recommendations to us – rather than pushing us towards a particular company or policy. Brad meets with us on a yearly basis to review where we are at and is proactive at making suggestions or recommendations (that sometimes decrease our premiums!) to make sure that our insurance covers maps the business changes we are making. We like Brad’s approach as he does all the work and we can concentrate on our business knowing we are well covered against risk.”

- Jonathan Cutts, chief fun officer

“I’m happy to say the service I have received from Brad has been of the highest standard, and I have no hesitation in recommending Brad as a top professional in his field.”

- Stephen Stokes, owner, Nathan Stokes & Associates

“We were impressed by how thorough Brad James was with determining the specific insurance needs that were relevant to our company and the industry we operate within. We weren’t sold policies that were of no benefit to us and the policies that were recommended were explained in terms that were clearly understood. We approached Brad with little time left before our existing policies required renewal. Brad was able to source and secure us new cover with a different provider that had added value over our existing insurer through a lower excess on one of the policies; greater cover on another policy; and lower premiums across all our policies. The savings he was able to effect enabled us to add new cover in an area we had previously considered unaffordable. Given the state of the insurance market after several large international disasters, we are more than happy with the savings and extended cover that Brad was able to secure for us.”

- Ben Courtney, owner, Base.IT

“We have been with GYB now for 4 years. We have found the friendly and efficient staff there very easy to work with. While it’s never nice having to deal with an insurance claim, GYB makes the process very easy from start to finish. GYB has a great understanding of our property portfolio and are always looking for ideas to help improve our insurance cover. I recommend GYB to people I talk to, when insurance is brought up in conversation.”

- Matt Wilson, Wilson Investment Management

“Our business has undergone some dramatic changes over the last four years. Brad and the team at GYB have always responded to our needs promptly and professionally. It is really important to have the right insurance for our transport business, and it is great to know that we can rely on GYB to give us the support and advice we need, whenever we need it.”

- Glen Lovewell, director, Bulk Water Transport Ltd

“For the past 20 years GYB have looked after all our needs cost effectively and hassle-free. With our busy days, the last thing we want to do is deal with insurance companies. Alan and his team make things easy.”

- Krishna Magan, director, Streetsoundz

“A friend told me about Alan Jecks so I gave him a call. I was put at ease straight away and felt very secure because they understood my needs quickly with no confusion at all. Everything was completed without having a meeting and I felt I could ask even the smallest question with confidence. Excellent service, I recommend them.”

- Linda

“I highly recommend the team at GYB if what you want is professional advice from specialists with commercial insurance. Their focus is always about ensuring you have advice on the best contract to suit your particular situation and then each year reviewing it to ensure it remains relevant. The added bonus? They are great guys as well.”

- Warwick Walker

“Chris Jecks of GYB took over managing our business insurance needs in 2013. He is very proactive in providing information to ensure we have appropriate cover and has continued to be in regular contact including a comprehensive annual review conducted in October. Always available to answer questions and concerns, and giving easy-to-understand answers are key attributes of Chris and GYB.”

- Denis Clode, DAC Group Limited