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 big agency was very well established and had considerable clout. Combining their enthusiasm, diverse experiences and nearly 33 years 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.
“If we can’t help you, we sure aren’t going to hurt you.” Kenneth 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 a caring father of 2 children I love very much.
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.
Aplastic anemia, is an autoimmune disease with no cure and a death sentence attached to it. You’re lucky to make it past initial the treatment phase (chemotherapy), 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 59 year old (at diagnosis) with this disease, have his switch flipped and his life deteriorate dramatically.
Never believe your past health dictates your future. Nothing is more important in life than God and our loved ones.
Plan for the unexpected future. It can and does happen to even unlikely people. Take life with the proper degree of seriousness. How much sand remains in anyone’s hourglass will always be a mystery. Use appropriate action and plan for the unexpected as well as the inevitable. Health can and does change in moment. The past is not a predictor of the future. If we only had that crystal ball…
If you haven’t already, start the process of getting financial security in place. Life insurance only gets more expensive the longer it is put it off.
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. Purchasing life insurance online is now very simple. Either give us a phone call or start the process in the Instant Quoting Tool where you may request to apply for coverage.
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 even suffered an amputation due to his 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 many months of disability due to the handicap and learning to walk again. Ken himself was tough to insure due to his overall medical condition. His health caused him a lot of obstacles. Needless to say, I/we know life and medical risk life insurance like this only too well.
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 and ambition. 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 we encounter, just a more common one. Since we have worked extensively with tough health conditions for years, developing 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 of various health and don’t walk a high wire for a living
We also offer a Quick Quoting Widget for your convenience on the right side of each article. The quoting widget will have some limitations if you have a number of risk factors.
Special or high risk cases are 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 the best offer from a reputable insurer. Most do not. Get on the phone with us. Let’s talk about your situation. We have access to over 40 of the top life insurance companies to shop for your best options.
We take your privacy very seriously here. You can view our privacy policy if you need specifics as to what information we collect and use.
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 offer personal appointments in our local area for those who want the more traditional “in person, face to face” engagement. However, regardless of where you live, there are alternatives for face to face consultation if you would prefer…such as a Skype meeting. We are also able to share our screen during the application process if you would like. We can certainly have some good options for you to consider if “face to face” contact is important you. You just need a “smart phone” or a computer with internet access.
We understand that for some, connecting thru email is their method of reaching out. 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 and/or signing your life insurance application.
Another alternative is to communicate with us on Facebook thru the Messenger application. We can be found there at https://www.facebook.com/LikeSpecialRiskLife
We know everyone has different schedules but we do try to accommodate as best we can. After hours and weekends appointments 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 the promise I made to him as my mentor and friend, to carry the torch with the ethics in what we both strongly believed in from the beginning 20 years ago.
I/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.
