Keeping Insurance in the Neighborhood

Five Questions for Barry Bidwell

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Everyone needs insurance. The list of policy types is endless: Home, auto, casualty, umbrella, and business, to name a few. Throw in a dizzying array of technical jargon along with payment types, coverage options and legalize and even the most simple policy can seem like a maze complete with Minotaur villain.

Fortunately you are not alone in this turbulent sea of terms and conditions. There exists a home town solution. Barry Bidwell, partner at Bidwell Hudson Insurance is here to be your guide.

Deep Local Roots

Bidwell moved to the region in 1985 with his family. He has been here ever since. He attended

Barry Bidwell, Partner Bidwell Hudson Insurance

both Owens and University of Toledo, has 4 kids in the Anthony Wayne School System, is a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and belongs to  5 area Chambers of Commerce.

These local connections are at the core of Bidwell’s philosophy about insurance: help the customer understand their needs and options then provide top-flight service if a claim needs to be processed.

We caught up with Barry and asked him 5 questions about his career, his history, and his dedication to all things insurance.

1. What draws you to help people with their insurance needs?

I’ve always liked being helpful. Growing up, I was a church member and a Boy Scout. That taught me the rewards of helping people. They say if you love what you do you never work a single day and that’s true for me. I genuinely like helping people avoid risks and plan for their financial future. Doing it right is all about service, and listening, and understanding what’s important to people and then turning that into a policy that is tailored to their needs.

 

2. What sets your firm apart from others?

Our firm takes a comprehensive look at our clients’ current situation, their financial, personal and family goals, and then we talk about where insurance fits in. Everything is intertwined. We maintain long-lasting relationships with our clients and that continuity is important; the same family, over time, as their situation changes, their insurance and planning needs are going to change too.

 

3. A lot of people are going to the internet for insurance. Why not just use the internet?

Two words: service and claims. Insurance professionals are licensed because they have a responsibility to their clients. When you deal with us, we match the coverage to your assets and what’s important to you. We explain what your options are so you understand what you’re getting and why. This isn’t a ‘check box & cross fingers’ process for us. That’s the service, the value we add, versus the internet. On the claims side, it’s easy – if the internet is your agent and your spouse or child is involved in an accident, who’re you gonna call? If you’re dealing with us, you call us. It’s that simple.

 

4. What is the advantage of being a multi-company brokerage?

We don’t work for any one insurance company; our focus is on our clients. The process is simple:  find the best coverage options, narrow down a few combinations, then present the alternatives to the client. We answer all their questions and let them choose. Our role is to  advise and they decide. That way we always get the best fit.

 

5. When not helping people with insurance, what do you like to do?

Doing anything with my children is what recharges my battery. With two boys and two girls, all different ages, there’s always an event, a game or something to do. And a lot outside, especially in the MetroParks Toledo. When it’s just me, I hang out at The Bard’s Coffee or Stella’s Restaurant and Bar in Perrysburg and Local Thyme in Whitehouse.

For More Information

Bidwell Hudson Insurance

1684 Woodlands Dr., Suite 100
Maumee, Ohio 43537

Phone: (567) 302-1600
Fax: 419-887-4710