Becker Insurance Agency has merged with Steil Insurance Services and will now have three local offices to provide services to customers.
Sid and Pat Prom of BIA contacted Scott Steil of SIS several months ago to consider the merger. Steil Insurance has been around for 20+ years and the Proms had owned BIA since it was established in 1987. Sid and Pat will continue to act as agents at Steil and all of their customers will be retained. Steil has two other locations in Paynesville and Richmond.
“Nothing will change here in Becker other than the name of the business,” said Owner and President Scott Steil. “We have a commitment to small towns and our reputation is top-notch. Ultimately, by doubling our carriers through this merger, the clients will win with better service, better pricing.”
Ron Mumm has been hired to manage the Becker branch and he comes with over 25 years experience in commercial insurance. He started in 1994 with Federated Insurance in St. Cloud and eventually ended up at Liberty Insurance in 1997. He will be covering clients within a 40-mile radius of Becker.
Mumm lives on the west side of St. Cloud and will be getting married at the end of August. He has two adult children from a previous relationship (Derek, 24 and Avery, 20).
Scott, 46, is married (Lisa) and has a son (Cole, 20) and a daughter, (Jadyn, 16). Cole is an agent in the Becker office and Jadyn plans on graduating from high school in a couple years and joining the business.
Steil Insurance Services works as a sort of a broker for the customer — spending time with the client and shopping their needs to find the best and most cost-effective carrier for their needs. They deal in auto, home, life, health, business, farm, bonds and medicare insurance.
The Becker branch opened under the Steil name July 1 and currently will house four agents (including Sid and Pat). Scott’s father introduced him to the business 20 years ago when he opened the first branch in Richmond and his business ethic is what has helped Scott prosper in the business throughout the years.
“My father taught me how important it is to have personal relationships with your clients,” said Scott. “We feel we will benefit as a business by being in Becker and Becker will benefit by us being here.”
In 2011, Scott added the Paynesville office and has four agents working there.
Steil’s name may be recognizable by many outdoorsmen as he once (and still is partially) was a professional walleye fisherman competing in tournaments and appearing on TV. He has career earnings of $312,200 with two career tournament wins. He has finished in the top 10 seven times in 47 events fished.
Steil also grows giant-sized pumpkins for competitions and once held the state record at 1,904-lbs. He is a graduate of Rocori HS and NDSU with a degree in respiratory therapy. He worked for a health care company in Iowa as corporate director for five years after college.
Steil and his agents plan to be actively involved in the Becker community outside of their business. They plan to be part of the local organizations and events that help bring the community together and flourish.
“It’s very important for us to be involved and to get to know people in the communities we serve,” said Scott. “Becker is a great community and we hope to offer the best services in the area.”
The Proms sent out a letter last week to their numerous clients telling them of the merger and the unceremonious transition.
“We are pleased to announce the merger of the Becker Insurance Agency with Steil Insurance Services, Inc.” the letter said. “We are excited about the new venture as it will enable us to provide a wide range of insurance markets as well as competitive rates.”
The letter went on to thank the Prom’s clients for doing business with them and invited them to stop in to meet the new people and enjoy some coffee and cookies.
“We are extremely fortunate to be merging with Steil Insurance Services, Inc. as they are an agency who shares our values and our commitment to providing personal and knowledgeable customer service. Steil Insurance is a second-generation, family-owned agency who knows the value of caring for people they insure,” the Proms wrote.
“We look forward to serving you with expanded markets and products.”
Steil Insurance Services, Inc. is located at 14054 Bank Street, Suite #1 in Becker. Their phone number is 763-261-4201. Their website is www.steilins.com.
