By Deb Williamson

Welcome to my new column: Insurance … WHY?

Filled with joy and blessed to be given this opportunity, my plan is to help clients understand insurance products and why they need them. In future articles, you can expect to read information regarding liability, towing, medical payments, uninsured/underinsured, and car rental. Other topics will include life insurance and business insurance…When is it the best time to purchase?

Since completing seven weeks of training through the American Family Insurance Agent in Training Program in July 2012, I am currently working out of the office of Mark Shanahan, Peoria, IL. Mark serves as a mentor agent enabling me to further experience the day-to-day insurance operations from an experienced and successful agent to increase my knowledge of insurance and improve my selling skills. I will maintain the title of Agent in Training (A.I.T.) for up to 24 months and then will be given the opportunity to open my own agency.

Being in the insurance industry for over 20 years, I came to American Family with much experience. I obtained my insurance license in 1995 while working for 11 years in the Jerry See State Farm Agency in Chillicothe, later moving on to Traders Insurance Agency in Peoria for eight years.

A very family-oriented Christian woman, I was born and have lived all my life in the Peoria area. I was married for 32 years to a wonderful man who lost his battle with cancer in 2007 and we have two grown children and three grandchildren.

The Mark Shanahan Agency is located at 1919 W. Altorfer Dr. (off University St. just north of Pioneer Park). The office is open Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I look forward to many more years of meeting new clients and assisting with their insurance needs.

Please call me at (309) 691-8373or stop by the office for a “Free” quote on your auto, home, life or business insurance. If at any time, you have any questions or comments feel free to email me at dwilliam@amfam.com.

Until next month …