Kiefer Insurance Group’s Got You Covered

Brian Kiefer and Jim Valenti set out on two different paths in life. Kiefer earned an economics degree and planned to work in the financial world. Valenti got into the transportation industry, eventually owning his own trucking company. Their paths have now converged to create the Kiefer Insurance Group.

Kiefer has always been interested in the world of finance. He had hoped to turn his college internship at the Board of Trade into a full-time job upon graduation.

“But when I got out of college, they introduced computer trading," he said. "My friends who were pit bosses there said, ‘We’re going to be out of here in 5 years. If you want a future, this is not where you want to be.’”

So in 1999, Kiefer turned to financial advising. He earned his Series 7, Series 63 and Series 24 licenses. These allow him to sell securities and supervise other advisors. And in 2007, he opened the Kiefer Financial Group in Darien.

Around that same time, friends introduced Valenti to Kiefer. They became friends. Two years ago, Kiefer’s family moved into the house across the backyard from Valenti's family. And they began to talk even more.

“I’ve always done life insurance in my business as a financial advisor,” explained Kiefer. “I (recently) started getting financial information from my insurance agent. And if they can’t take me off the list, knowing what I do for a living, I can’t refer business to them, knowing that they’re going to send all my clients financial information. It didn’t make sense to me. That’s how we grew our business – through referrals. So I saw a need for our clients.”

Kiefer brought up his concerns in conversations with Valenti at just the right time.

“I had my own company for almost 15 years,” said Valenti. “Over-the-road trucking. I wanted to get out. I spent too much time in the industry. I wanted to start up a new venture, a new journey in life. Brian and I were talking and we discussed this project.”

Valenti went back to school. In April 2011, he became fully licensed by the State of Illinois as an agent & producer for Property and Casualty Insurance.

In June 2011, the two partners incorporated the Kiefer Insurance Group. Kiefer handles the life and health side of the insurance business while Valenti handles property and casualty. Valenti also runs the insurance business, freeing up Kiefer to run the financial business.

They found it to be a perfect fit.

“There are two aspects that Jim had that I think are fabulous,” explained Kiefer. “One, Jim (was) very successful in the trucking industry for many years. He knows what it takes to run a business. And as a business owner, he’s purchased (insurance). It’s pained him to write those checks. He knows all the different policies that he’s needed. So in talking insurance on that end, he knew more than I did coming out of the gate. He sees it from a different side. That’s how we knew that this is a perfect fit. And that really worked well for us.”

Kiefer Insurance is a member of the Satellite Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA), a national group that bands together small insurance companies, giving them the power of larger agencies in dealing with carriers, while allowing them to function independently. Kiefer Insurance is also a member of the local group of this organization – Chicagoland SIA.

Kiefer Insurance handles both commercial and personal insurance. It is affiliated with over 60 A+ rated carriers, including Travelers, MetLife, Kemper, Hartford and AAA.

“Having the ability to shop people’s home and auto, or shop their company, to literally dozens of carriers really gives them pricing power,” said Kiefer. “Every year, we’re shopping around to see if we can get them a better deal. And in doing that, we’re always making sure that you’re being treated fairly.”

Added Valenti, “Coverages may have changed that you don’t need any more, or it’s changed to something else now. All that fluctuates the price, and we’re going to check it every year. We are very service and customer-oriented, and we’re going to do everything we can to keep them happy. We use A+ rated carriers. We may switch you (at your discretion) but you’re going to be switched to a reputable, good company.”

Both men enjoy working with people. Their community involvement is further evidence of that. Both are members of the . Kiefer is a past president and has served on the Darien Chamber board as well. He also coaches his daughter’s T-ball team. Valenti is also a coach for his son’s Panther baseball travel team.

"We’re local guys and we’re looking to help the local community,” said Valenti. “Once you become a client, we’re going to do whatever it takes to satisfy you.”

“We do business right,” added Kiefer. “If we say we’re going to do something, we’re going to do it, and do everything we possibly can – legally, ethically and morally – to get it done.”

The Kiefer Insurance Group is located at 1450 Plainfield Road, Suite 7, in Darien. For more information, contact them at 630-541-7555 or go to www.kigroup.net.