Our Story: From Underdogs to Advocates for Yours
The year was 2002.
Two licensed life and health insurance agents working with a large agency in Michigan decided it was time for a change. Kenneth Craig—a 30-year insurance veteran—and me, Michael Flajole—the young “whippersnapper,” as Ken would say—took a leap.
Maybe we were a couple of mavericks.
Why?
Because we walked away from a big-name agency that prioritized sales quotas over what mattered most: our clients. That agency had clout, sure. But it also had a rigid, production-first mindset. We wanted something different.
So, we founded C & F Associates (C for Craig, F for Flajole). An independent life insurance agency rooted in a simple belief:
“If we can’t help you, we sure aren’t going to hurt you.”
Ken lived by that motto for nearly 40 years as an agent—and so do we.
As an independent agency, we weren’t tied to any one insurance carrier. That meant we could shop the market and match our clients with the right insurance company and policy—not just the one a corporate playbook wanted us to push.
Why Special Risk Life?
Fast forward to today, and I’m the remaining founder and president of our company. I’m also a proud father of two, and more motivated than ever to do right by our clients.
My drive to help people with special risk life insurance started when my dad was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia—a rare, life-threatening autoimmune disease. He was just 59. Statistically, the condition strikes 1 in a million, and most don’t live more than 8 years beyond diagnosis.
Dad fought for 10 years. I watched him go from healthy and strong to fragile in a matter of months.
That experience taught me something that no insurance license or education ever could:
Your past health does not guarantee your future.
Nothing is more important than God, time, and the people we love. And life has a way of flipping the switch when we least expect it.
This Is What We Do (And Why We’re Different)
At Special Risk Life Insurance, we specialize in helping people who don’t fit the “perfect health” mold. People with medical conditions. People who’ve been turned down. People who’ve heard “no” before but still need to protect their family.
That includes folks like my old business partner, Ken Craig. Ken battled Type 1 Diabetes for over 40 years. In his later years, he lost part of his leg due to complications from the disease. I watched him relearn to walk and push through major physical setbacks—while still showing up every day to serve others.
Ken himself was difficult to insure. That personal experience gave us a level of understanding and empathy you just won’t find in a call center or cookie-cutter online agency.
Today, we continue that legacy by helping people all over the country navigate the life insurance world—especially those with high-risk conditions like:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- COPD
- Cancer history
- Mental health diagnoses
- Other complex medical backgrounds
And yes, if you’re in excellent health and just want affordable term life, we do that too, everyday. We work with over 40 top-rated insurance carriers to find you the best fit and pricing.
No Pressure. No Quotas. Just Real Help.
We believe in giving you options, educating you, and walking you through the process—at your pace. Whether you want a Zoom call, an in-person meeting here in Michigan, or just a quick email exchange, we’re flexible.
We also offer:
- An Instant Quote Tool for fast, no-obligation online estimates
- Secure and confidential support (your privacy is protected)
- After-hours and weekend appointments for your convenience
If your case is more complex, that online quoting tool might not tell the whole story. That’s where we shine—handling the cases that other agents can’t or won’t take on.
Let’s Talk.
You may feel like the “underdog” in the life insurance world—but here, that just means you’re in the right place.
I’m proud to carry the torch my friend and mentor passed to me, and I remain committed to the values we built this company on: integrity, compassion, and doing what’s right for you.
Thanks for considering us. I hope we can earn your trust—and help you protect what matters the most.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Flajole Jr.
President, Special Risk Life Insurance
