Q&A with Alfa Insurance's Freddie Pinion: The Importance of Insurance

HottyToddy.com’s Steve Vassallo sat down with Alfa Insurance’s Freddie Pinion to discuss the importance of insurance and what Alfa insurance can provide to homeowners.

Vassallo: Freddie, no homeowner ever wants to experience a catastrophe to their home due to a storm or fire. Could you share with our readers how you recently assisted one of your clients going through such a tragedy?
Pinion: In the insurance industry, these are some of the hardest calls we receive. We recently had a customer call and tell us his house was on fire. My wife, Melanee, and I immediately got in the car and went to his house. We were able to get them a place to stay and had our adjuster cut a check for their immediate needs before we left the scene. We know from personal experience – we had a house fire in 2011 – that this is a truly devastating thing to go through. In times like these, it’s important to have the emotional support of your friends and the reassurance from your insurance agent. I was thankful we were able to offer both.
Vassallo: Do you offer discounts to homeowners who have other coverages with you?
Pinion: I have multiline discounts if you have homeowners, auto and even life insurance with Alfa. The discounts can really add up and help you save a substantial amount on your premium.
Vassallo: Provide an example of an agent benefiting a homeowner in understanding exactly the coverage needed.
Pinion: A good agent will always take the time to sit down with you and go over exactly what coverages they have to offer and what coverages are on your policy. There are many variables when it comes to coverage on homeowners insurance. For example, you have the dwelling coverage, contents coverage, liability coverage, etc. For a client who has an extensive art collection or expensive jewelry, extra coverage or a personal articles floater would be needed. I feel it is important to make sure I go over all of these with my clients to make sure their needs are met.
Vassallo: Beyond paying too much for coverage and not knowing your agent, what is the next major mistake homeowners make when purchasing insurance?
Pinion: There are different kinds of policies for homes. You could have a homeowners policy, a DPP or a fire policy. It’s important to know what kind of policy you have and what that policy covers. The best way to do that is to ask questions. You should also do a review on your policy at least every two years, or if you make any major home improvements or upgrades to your home. It’s important to make sure you continue to have adequate coverage for your needs.
Vassallo: For those readers unfamiliar with all of your many community contributions, could you mention a few for us?
Pinion: A few of the organizations that I am a member of are the O.D. Smith Masonic Lodge, The Oxford Shrine Club, The Rotary Club, The Chamber of Commerce and the VFW. Over the last several years, I have been active in assisting fellow veterans to navigate the channels they need to go through in order to receive their benefits through the VA. I enjoy all of the activities that I’m involved in, but the one closest to my heart is the Autism Awareness fundraiser we have every April. All of the money we raise goes to the Autism Center in north Mississippi. We do this event to raise awareness and acceptance in honor of our son Barrett who is nonverbal autistic.

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
For questions or comments, email hottytoddynews@gmail.com.