The year was 2002… two licensed insurance agents working with a large Life and Health Insurance Agency in Michigan decided to make a change for the better. Kenneth Craig, a 30 year+ veteran life and health insurance agent. The other, Michael Flajole, the young “whippersnapper” as Mr. Craig used to say. Maybe they were a couple of mavericks? Why? Well, they departed from the large “big box” agency that put sales quotas (“production’) in front of a simple “client centered” business model. The former agency was very well established and had considerably clout. Combining their enthusiasm, diverse experiences and nearly 33 year experience, A new company called C & F Associates, a licensed, independent insurance agency was formed. The focus was to offer customer centered insurance products and services that met each client’s specific needs, not that of the “big box” sales office or any particular insurance company. Being independent meant that they could always offer their clients products from many different and reputable insurance carriers. The rest would take care of itself.
The two letters (C,F) in the business name C & F Associates represents the last names of the founders.
Kenneth and Michael firmly believed that people needed to come first and that in doing what is best for the client would ultimately be the method for success of their agency. Kenneth always said…”If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.” “Ken” was most famous for saying “If we can’t help you, we sure aren’t going to hurt you. Is that fair enough?” He was committed to that coined phrase his entire career and it continues to be a motto we do business by today even as the world moves towards buying insurance online and over the phone.
With that all said, who am I? My name is Michael Flajole. I am the remaining founder and president of this company. I’m also proud to be married and be a caring father of 3 kids. My oldest is a junior in college ranging all the way down to my youngest in 6th grade.
My personal motivation for Special Risk Life developed years ago when my father was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. The odds of contracting that disease is 1 in 1,000,000. It is an autoimmune disease with no cure and a death sentence attached to it. Your lucky to make it past initial the treatment phase (chemotherapy is used), but 8 years is about all you have left if you survive the chemo. My Dad battled the condition for 10 years. In that time, I watched a perfectly healthy individual diagnosed with this disease at age 59, have his switch flipped and his life just deteriorate.
Never believe your past health dictates your future. Plan for the unexpected future. It can and does happen to unlikely people. Take life with the proper degree of seriousness. Take action and plan for the unexpected or the inevitable. Health can and does change in moment. If you haven’t already, take action while you can. It is my job to help you obtain protection for your own challenges in financial planning. I like to help the “underdog” so to speak. If you have a medical or high risk condition…you are an “underdog” when trying to obtain life insurance.
Our company has changed quite a bit with time. Though I have been the technology and product agent for this company since its origin in 2001. It has always been my function to evaluate the companies and technologies we are willing to work with and how they may benefit our customers.
Online, we are known as Special Risk Life Insurance. Why? Well, you already heard about my father, but my former associate, Kenneth Craig dealt with Type I Diabetes for 40+ years. He suffered even an amputation due to his Type I diabetes. Lost half of his leg during the last few years of his extensive career as a complication of diabetes. I watched him go thru life altering events over a number of years not to mention months of disability due to the handicap and learning to walk again. He was tough to insure for various reasons. His health caused him a lot of obstacles one which was life insurance. Needless to say, I/we know life and medical risk insurance like this only too well. Diabetic Life Insurance was a need we had to secure his life for his family and our individual business interests.
Now,with the growth of the internet and technology, it has allowed people from all over the country to connect with us for our expertise. It is the prime reason for Special Risk Life Insurance becoming our little niche in the market. Of course, Diabetes is not the only special risk just with work with, just a more common one. Since we have worked extensively with tough health conditions for years, we have developed real world experience and just a knack for handling the tough cases.
Yes, we still offer preferred rates and “cheap” term life insurance for people in A1 health and don’t walk a high wire for a living We also offer a Quick Quoting Widget for those individuals who are in very good health. These are very simple cases in comparison to a “Special”/High Risk Life insurance case. Special or Higher risk cases is not a place to trust a rookie agent, the “big box” sales office, the captive (one company agent) nor someone who does not have the training to understand how to get you your best offer from a reputable insurer. Most do not. We have access to over 40 of the top life insurance companies in the nation as any reputable independent agent/broker should have.
Our values and conviction at Special Risk Life Insurance remain focused on ensuring your needs are met with the highest standards and at the best possible price. We still do offer personal appointments in our local area for those who want the more traditional “in person, face to face” engagement. A couple alternatives for face to face consultation if you would prefer…a Google Hangouts or a Skype Video Conversation or even a simple screen share would also be available upon request as well. Options for you to consider especially if “face to face” contact is important you. We understand that for some, it is important to put a name with a face. Some email contact initially is fine, and we will do our best to answer questions, however that is something that does not flow well in our experience and not a way we can communicate effectively much beyond the very basics.
We know everyone has different needs, comfort levels and schedules but we do try to accommodate as best we can. After hours and weekends can be arranged as well. Whichever works best for you, we do our best to make it happen-painlessly.
While our business has gotten more technological in nature, being a good, professional agent has not been forgotten and is still the most vital element in helping people everyday. I am thankful to have had such a great mentor, friend and “co-owner” to teach me about the industry. The “echo” of our past is what motivates this company to deliver the best in both products and service today. It is also my promise I made to him as my mentor, to carry the torch with the ethics in what we both strongly believed in from the beginning over 15 years ago.
We thank you for considering our company and hope you will allow us to provide the right life insurance coverage for you.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Flajole Jr.