The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) announced today that Matt Simon, Insurance Advisor with CoverLink Insurance, is the recipient of its
prestigious Young Agent of the Year award
.  Each year, PIA honors one outstanding young insurance agent in the United States for his or her professionalism, achievement and contributions to the insurance industry.

Matt has worked in the insurance industry full time since 2004.  He began his career with a regional insurance company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio before joining the team at CoverLink.  Talk with Matt for just a few minutes and you get a sense of just how passionate he is about continuing the success of the agency that’s been around since 1920, while leading not just his business, but also the independent insurance agency system, into the 21st century.

“I believe as Professional Insurance Agents, it’s not just our job but more importantly, our responsibility, to educate our clients on the importance of their insurance protection.  As consumers are increasingly bombarded with advertising that encourages them to base their insurance buying decisions solely on the price of the coverage, I feel even more obligated to advise my clients on exactly what they’re purchasing.  At the end of the day, if you don’t have the coverage you need for a devastating claim, it doesn’t really matter what you paid,” Matt says.

Throughout his years with CoverLink, Matt has worked to instill a culture focused on doing what’s right for clients… a philosophy that’s been the foundation of the agency since its founding.  Industry colleague and President of Securance Service Inc. Dan Henry said “I have worked with Matt on many occasions and have always come away from my interactions with him feeling that we are going to be in VERY good hands in the future under his leadership.”

When asked about being honored with the National Young Insurance Professional of the Year Award, Matt was quick to point out that it’s recognition of all his agency associates.  “I’m absolutely thrilled to be recognized as the Young Agent of the Year, but it’s really a reflection of the people I work with.  If I wasn’t surrounded by the talented, experienced and hard-working associates that I’m blessed to work with, I certainly wouldn’t have been in a position to win this award.”

Matt was presented with his award in Arlington, Virginia today during the Professional Insurance Agents National Awards Luncheon and in typical fashion, was on the phone with a client helping handle an issue within an hour of his acceptance speech.  Matt’s clients have always been his top priority and nothing appears to be altering his philosophy… even his national notoriety!