Buying insurance can sometimes be emotional. 鈥淵ou can feel the tension new clients have because they lack confidence and have never properly understood what they鈥檙e paying for,鈥� says Joan Barbondy, Financial Advisor for The Co-operators. 鈥淎nd then there鈥檚 the other side of things, when someone is making a claim. They often feel vulnerable.鈥�
Barbondy sees her role as informing new clients about the services she provides, protecting families, and helping them rebuild their lives. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a completely relationship-based business,鈥� says the North Battleford native. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about creating understanding and trust 鈥撎齛ssuring clients that we鈥檒l be there when they need us. Ultimately, we want to provide financial security to our communities, one client at a time, helping them recognize gaps and offering the solutions that help them reach their lifestyle goals.鈥�
It鈥檚 no surprise that a business owned by a co-operative should have such a people-focused ethos; after all, it鈥檚 democratically controlled by the people who use its services. In terms of insurance, The Co-operators does the lot 鈥� Home, Auto, Life, Group, Business, Farm and Travel 鈥� and members of the federated co-op are sometimes eligible for discounts or special financial concessions.
The Co-operators also helps you make investments;听you can open accounts such as RRSPs, RESPs and TFSAs and invest in segregated funds, an option that鈥檚 exclusive to insurance companies. With these, unlike mutual funds, you鈥檙e guaranteed to get back all or most of your principal investment when the fund matures. 鈥淭he need for profitability is balanced with the needs of our members and their communities,鈥� says Barbondy. 鈥淢aking people a priority and taking a long-term view of business decisions makes The Co-operators fundamentally different from most insurance companies.鈥�
At heart, Barbondy says, it鈥檚 all about the community, which is why she鈥檚 involved in initiatives like the Boys and Girls Club, community safety group SAGE, and Meals on Wheels. 鈥淧eople here have the mentality of shopping 鈥撎齛nd thinking 鈥� locally,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he only thing that keeps small towns strong is to support and get involved with the community, which is what I do day in day out, in and out of work.鈥�
For more information and to book an appointment with Joan Barbondy or a member of her team, 惫颈蝉颈迟听.The company has offices in North Battleford, Wilkie and Meadow Lake.
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