| AGENCY PROFILE |
Smart Insurance
Smart Insurance began as United Trust Agency in 1931. Through
the years the agency changed hands and names until 1991 when it
was purchased by Doug and Debbie Smart.
Doug got his start in the insurance business while working crop
insurance losses in college. After graduating from Kansas State, he stayed on with American
Agrisurance and worked his way up to Senior VP Marketing. In the Spring of 1991 with three
little ones, Doug and Debbie decided Doug’s travel days were over and they looked for a small
town in which to raise their family. Abilene had an agency for sale, and the Smart family moved
back home to their native Kansas, hoping that with Doug’s marketing experience and Debbie’s
accounting degree they could make it work.
Abilene welcomed the Smart’s with open arms, and they still have only the one location in
Abilene, Kansas. The agency is still owned by the Smarts along with Kyle Becker, an Abilene
native. Kyle is also a K-State grad who wanted to stay in the Abilene area and raise his family.
What make us Unique? Over the years Smart Insurance has gained the reputation
as the go-to agency in the area for commercial business. The willingness to learn and go the extra
mile to write the hard to place account has been one of their secrets to growth. The agency is
evenly balanced with personal lines, commercial lines and farm/crop business.
Owners: Doug Smart, Debra Smart and Kyle Becker
Office Staff: Janet Chamberline, Donna Bowers, Brad Berry,
Meg Adams, Tina Rankin and Stephanie Clark
Future plans? Smart insurance currently has nine employees and continues to enjoy steady growth
in the Abilene area and surrounding communities. Future expansion is inevitable, but as to where
and when they are unsure at this time. Smart Insurance uses Eclipse as their agency management
system. They are also one of the first agencies in the state of Kansas to have their own app!
It sounds like a cliche, but customer service and community involvement are the secrets to success
in this agency. Smiling faces, answering the phone on one ring, and knowing your customers by
first name are essentials that matter. Smart Insurance takes pride in their community and love
living, working and raising their families in Abilene.
22
KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER |JULY - AUGUST 2016|
Location:
215 NW 15th
Abilene, KS 67410
Year Established:
1931
Years in Business:
53 years
Full-time staff:
9
Principals:
Doug Smart
Debra Smart
Kyle Becker