What Our Mission Statement Means to Us – Davis Insurance Associates

by Brad Davis, CIC

In a Nutshell

Our mission is simple: “To be the most trusted insurance agency in the Grand Strand.” Every quote we prepare, every policy we recommend, and every conversation we have is measured against that single promise. If a course of action strengthens your trust in us, we do it—period. If it doesn’t, we pass, rethink, or find a better way.

Visit our ABOUT US page for more about Davis Insurance Associates.

---

Why a Mission Statement Should Fit on a Post-it

Mission statements sometimes read like corporate word salad – long on buzzwords, short on usefulness. We went in the opposite direction. By keeping ours to eleven words, we created a daily yardstick instead of a dusty plaque. “Most trusted” is the outcome; “in the Grand Strand” is the community we call home. Everything else is the roadmap.

Trust Over Transactions

1. Honesty, even when it stings. We’ll tell you if a wind-hail deductible is creeping up or if your deck needs an update to stay insurable.

2. Options, not ultimatums. We show multiple carriers, limits, and deductibles, then walk through pros & cons in plain English.

3. Education first. A client who understands their coverage is a client empowered to make smart choices – exactly the kind of partner we want.

How the Mission Shows Up Before 9 A.M.

A grand statement is worthless unless it leaves the conference room and clocks in for work. Here’s how ours starts working before the first pot of coffee finishes brewing.

Putting “Trusted” to the Test in Real-Life Scenarios

1. When the Cheapest Isn’t the Best

A new homeowner in Surfside Beach asked us to match an online quote that was $280 cheaper per year. We showed him that the bargain policy carried an ACV roof endorsement—meaning his 12-year-old roof would have been valued like a 12-year-old roof, not a new one, at claim time. We lost that sale – but six weeks later, after a summer hailstorm, he called back and asked us to rewrite his coverage. Sometimes trust means letting revenue walk out the door.

2. When a Claim Gets Messy

Past hurricanes along the Grand Strand have taught us plenty about having the correct coverage. With several agents that have over 5 years of experience, and the owner with more than 20 years, we have the experience needed to help if and when it becomes claim time, but more importantly to educate new clients and provide the proper coverage and limits to help make claims go more smoothly.

3. When Rates Spike

If your renewal jumped 30%, the easy out is blaming “the market.” We go deeper, sending side-by-side comparisons, offering deductible tweaks, or other coverage changes. Hard conversations today build credibility tomorrow.

Why Brevity Works: Big Goals, Little Details

A 200-word mission can hide behind its own complexity; an 11-word pledge can’t. Here’s why that matters:

• Clarity for staff onboarding. New producers don’t need a 90-page manual to know what right looks like.

• Easy recall under pressure. During hurricane season, decisions come fast. “Will this action make us more trusted?” is a quick filter.

• Community alignment. The Grand Strand is tight knit. A concise mission sticks in neighbors’ minds and shows up in conversations over shrimp-n-grits.

Trust-Building Tactics You Can Feel

1. Transparent Commission Disclosure – Want to know how we get paid? Ask us. Better yet, we often volunteer the info.

2. Annual Coverage Check-Ups – We don’t wait for you to call; we reach out 40 – 50 days before renewal.

3. Claims Advocacy Hotline – I don’t want to over promise here, because we are not licensed claims adjusters. But we can help advocate when in certain instances.

4. Local Giving – We allocate a percentage of profits to Grand Strand nonprofits—because you should see our commitment beyond the office walls.

5. Continuing Education – Every licensed agent completes at least the minimum 24 hours of required CE (continuing education) every two years. In addition to that, licensed agents begin working toward a reputable designation as soon as possible. As of the date of this blog, the owner and all sales agents currently have at least one designation. Knowledge = better advice.

Measuring Trust (Because Hope Isn’t a Strategy)

• Google & Facebook Reviews – We track average rating and review response time.

• Net Promoter Score – Sent after every policy is issued or renewed.

• Policy Retention Rate – Retention rate is simply how many policies you keep year over year. We provide top-notch service, and it reflects in how many clients stay with us for many years.

• Referral Ratio – About one in three new clients comes from an existing customer’s referral. That’s trust you can count.

From Prospects to Partners: How We Present Options

Imagine you’re a business owner in Murrells Inlet looking for a BOP. We like to offer more than one option and additional coverages when we can.

Most business owners know they need General Liability and maybe Commerical Building coverage. But many don’t even think about other important coverages such as: Cyber Liability, Business Interruption, Equipment Breakdown, Food Spoilage, or even Workers’ Compensation.

We can take the time to walk a client or prospect through things like covered perils, sublimits, and coinsurance.

You choose—but you choose informed. That’s what trust looks like in action.

What “Bad News” Looks Like—And Why We Deliver It Anyway

Sometimes the responsible answer is, “Your roof must be replaced before any carrier will bind coverage.” Or “Yes, carrying only state-minimum auto limits saves money, but it leaves your assets exposed.” Sugar-coating risk is short-term pleasant and long-term painful. We choose the opposite because our mission demands it.

Investing in Tools That Reinforce Trust

• Comparative Quote Proposals – Side-by-side quotes from multiple carriers. No smoke, no mirrors.

• Client Focused Website – Request new quotes and policy changes 24/7.

• Team of VAs – Virtual assistants help our staff hours and hours by running quotes with multiple insurance companies – making sure we offer the best option based on price and coverage.

• Technology – An automated system to send out things like insurance renewal reminders – to help clients know when a policy is about to renew.

Community Is Our Compass

Being “most trusted” doesn’t stop at a policy’s border. We:

• Sponsor local schools, golf events, and more.

• Join in local activities like 5K runs, planting trees, and collecting food for local food banks.

• Participate in local hurricane awareness events.

• Hire (paid) interns from local colleges like HGTC and Coastal Carolina.

Trust built inside the office spills into the neighborhoods we love.

Looking Ahead: Challenges & Opportunities

Market Volatility

Persistently hard markets test clients’ patience and agencies’ integrity. We’re doubling down on carrier negotiations and loss-control education to keep premiums as stable as possible.

Technology

Quotation APIs, predictive analytics, and AI chatbots can streamline service—but only if they enhance clarity. We adopt tech with a single-question litmus test: Will this make us more trusted?

Growth Without Dilution

As we expand beyond Myrtle Beach, Georgetown County, and North Myrtle Beach, we are looking to open new offices in cities and towns in the Carolinas. As we do this, it is important to us to maintain the culture we have established while hiring new competent employees that can be representatives of their local community.

Your Role in the Mission

Trust is a two-way street. Here’s how you, our client or future client, can help keep us accountable:

1. Ask questions—lots of them. If something isn’t clear, tell us.

2. Share feedback. Five-star reviews fuel us, but constructive critique improves us.

3. Keep us updated. Renovated kitchen? New teen driver? Loop us in. Surprise gaps erode trust; proactive updates preserve it.

---

Ready to Experience Insurance the Trusted Way?

Whether you’re renewing a Homeowner’s policy, insuring a classic car, or protecting a growing business, let’s talk. Click here to start a quote or drop by our Myrtle Beach office for a cup of coffee (we’re right off Hwy 17 Bypass). We’d be honored to earn, and keep your trust.