As a proven leader in the Lakeway region offering personalized protection plans to cover customers’ auto and home, business, or life and health polices, excellent service comes with the territory at Cate Insurance Agency. In fact, they have been serving thousands of families, individuals, and businesses of all sizes with their insurance expertise for over half a century. Cate Insurance Agency represents 30 companies that they quote to customers every day. This provides Cate Insurance Agents with the unique ability to work with each customer to discover where their coverage is lacking and find a policy that is perfect for both their budget and lifestyle. We sat down with Chad Parker, the president of Cate Insurance Agency, to learn more about the past, present, and future of the agency, as well as what opportunities the agency benefitted from during their long-standing partnership with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
Cate Insurance Agency: Over 60 Years of History in Jefferson County
As the oldest and most experienced insurance agency in Jefferson and Hamblen Counties, Cate Insurance Agency’s community-centered approach has served them well since their founding in 1959. When Mike Price, the previous owner of Cate Insurance Agency, handed over the reins of the agency to Chad Parker, the current president and owner of Cate Insurance, in 2020, the tradition of excellent insurance service continued. “We’re never there to just make a sale. There’s no sense in overselling insurance where someone has too much coverage that they’ll never need, or underselling insurance, where if the worst happens, someone isn’t covered in the correct way. We want to treat people right,” Chad remarked.
Chad Parker has been with Cate Insurance since 2011, and his passion for serving others is the driving force behind his career. Born and raised in Hamblen County, Chad received his Electromechanical Engineering degree from Middle Tennessee State University. His father-in-law who is also in insurance inspired Chad to take his driven sales mentality and passion for meeting new people, and direct it towards the insurance field.
The Cate Insurance team has played a vital role in bringing national programs to fruition, including a funeral director program, and even have a national carwash program in the works. Many people don’t know that the agency is licensed in 15 states and offers 20+ commercial carriers to fit their customers’ unique needs.
They also offer a wide array of companies for Medicare supplements. Due to the many rules and regulations of those supplement plans, Melanie of Cate Insurance is available to help customers navigate and choose the appropriate plan for them. Melanie is an expert on these programs and stays continually informed and trained on all the latest laws so she can accurately advise customers on what’s right for their individual needs. The agency sets itself apart by employing highly dedicated, local, and trusted community members, just like Melanie, who always go above and beyond the call of duty. Cate Insurance Agency’s availability, accountability, and customer service approach is what the agency is known for.
Two Cate Insurance Agency Locations and More Growth Ahead
Now with two convenient locations, Cate Insurance Agency is looking towards a bright future in both Morristown and Jefferson City. “Many locals come to Morristown to shop,” Chad commented, “and we’re excited to offer another great location to come in and pay a bill or request a quote.” The Hamblen County location is the newest location added to the growing agency, and that’s not the only thing they want to grow. Cate Insurance is always looking for driven salespeople as they want to serve more people in East Tennessee (and beyond) and expand their team.
Insurance is unique in that you don’t have to walk into the job with any experience other than a pure drive to succeed, sales experience, and a willingness to serve customers to the absolute best of your ability. Most agencies want to develop their independent agents with the skills and procedures that have proven successful for them. For an agency with 60+ years of experience, such as Cate Insurance Agency, the prospective salesperson should rest easy knowing they are being molded by the best in the business. This role is ideal for anyone looking to become an expert in different types of businesses, insurance policies, and continuing their education in insurance rules and regulations. Individuals with special interest in learning about insurance, or students who have just graduated and have sales experience, are encouraged to apply.
A Legacy of Leadership: Cate Insurance Agency and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
The partnership between the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and Cate Insurance Agency dates back 1984 when the agency first joined as a member. Mike Price, previous owner and president of Cate Insurance, was the Chamber’s Chairman of the Board and served in leadership from 2005-2008. With the desire to get involved and make the Chamber even better, Chad Parker served on the board from 2013-2015 and 2016-2018. Through the partnership with the Chamber, Cate Insurance Agency has had several customers sign up for insurance. “Most of these customers are people that I tried to call on previously but had little success getting through the gatekeeper, but the Chamber opened the door I couldn’t get through,” Chad commented on the benefits of Chamber membership to the agency.
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce opens doors to networking for business owners at events like the golf tournament, the annual dinner, and the farm to table event. Chad shared with us that he favors the golf tournament due to his love of the game but also enjoys being a gift sponsor which means he supplies the golfers’ bags with a branded hat. By the end of the day, all the golfers are wearing Cate Insurance Agency hats and Chad loves the brand exposure the Chamber golf tournament provides, as well as a day of fun networking.
Chad’s other favorite benefit to being a chamber member is having the opportunity to step out of the worker’s role and meet other business owners in the area. “The Chamber is what you make it. You’re not going to get a lot out of it if you don’t put a lot into it,” Chad remarked.
We must agree with Chad Parker of Cate Insurance Agency. The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is not a spectator sport for members and is intended to be fully immersive with events, socials, and opportunities for networking. Thanks to members like Cate Insurance Agency, Mike Price, and Chad Parker, the Jefferson County of Commerce will only keep getting better and better with age.
Become a Member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
When you say “yes” to joining the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, you are saying “yes” to more opportunities to increase revenue, “yes” to more networking with community leaders that will help you grow and want to see you succeed, and “yes” to promoting your business to a larger audience. When we say partnership, we mean it. We want to help you connect with other businesses, contribute in ways that matter, have a say in decisions that impact your business and livelihood, and so much more.
Start your own legacy of leadership, like Cate Insurance Agency and so many other members have, with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce today. There’s no better time to join than right now! Want to know how to join? Click here. We have lots of exciting events scheduled for the upcoming holiday season and 2022.
