When Larry Botkins became Tom Spoor’s son-in-law in 2014, Botkins had no idea that one day they would be in business with each other.
Spoor, who had an insurance agency in upstate New York for 25 years, decided to sell his business in 2016 and retire to his winter home in Dade City.
In 2019, Botkins expressed interest in insurance, so together with his father-in-law, the two men decided to open Botkins & Spoor Insurance LLC, a full-service independent agency in Dade City.
“We thought there was a lot of potential here. We liked the small-town environment, and there’s a lot going on in Pasco county,” says Botkins.
Botkins and Spoor have a combined total of 30 years experience, and serve Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties.
The family-owned agency prides itself on face-to-face interactions, as well as being able to provide its customers with the best deals and service.
“It’s your duty as an insurance agency to make sure your customer is informed,” says Botkins.
The insurance agency’s customer service stands out against competition because of its ability to create real relationships with their clients.
“I think that all we have to offer is service,” says Spoor. “I like that type of relationship where you know the customer, where they live, and just their overall situation.”
According to Spoor, insurance in Florida is a tough market to do business in because of insurance fraud, and it’s especially hard for new agencies to get started. It’s also difficult for customers who are looking to get the most coverage for the cheapest price. Insurance carriers are continuously changing who they will write insurance for and re-evaluating their market penetration in certain areas.
“It’s very difficult on the client because they are constantly being hit with big increases,” says Spoor.
Despite the challenges, Botkins and Spoor are dedicated to finding their customers the best deals and rates. They can achieve this because they are an independent agency that has multiple insurance carriers.
For more information on Botkins & Spoor Insurance LLC, call 352-437-5305, or stop by their office at 37911 Heather Place, Dade City, FL 33525.
By Nicole Sanchez
