For decades Paul Palkovic successfully served in a broker/risk manager capacity for large companies. As such, he gained the insurance wisdom needed to identify, understand and effectively address corporate risk. He identifies his client’s specific exposures to loss and structures a tailored insurance program for them that includes appropriate coverage, backed up by technical support that is delivered by topic experts. Then he negotiates the best possible terms for them. Palkovic now shares this same sophisticated process with the small to medium-sized privately held companies I work with today.
Russ Alan Prince: Tell us about Kulchin/Ross.
Paul Palkovic: Kulchin Ross Insurance Services is a privately held, insurance brokerage that is headquartered in sunny Southern California. When it comes to business insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits and risk management services, Kulchin Ross Insurance has the skilled personnel, resources, experience and constant commitment to providing strategically planned insurance solutions for businesses in all industries.
Kulchin Ross is closely affiliated with the highest rated and most successful local and national insurance carriers in the market, and we only approach the carriers that we know have the resources to meet our client’s unique insurance needs. Having choice among carriers allows for continued execution of strategy, especially if market conditions demand change.
When choosing an insurance agency as an important business partner, it’s critical to work with a company you can trust to always look out for your best interest, and value your business as if it is their own. Kulchin Ross is a fiercely independent insurance agency. We don’t work for the insurance company; we work for our clients! As an independent insurance agency, our duty is to our client’s best interests. As your insurance agents, it is our responsibility to provide you with the most professional and personalized service in the industry and set your company up with the best coverage at the best possible price.
Prince: What is your role at the firm?
Palkovic: I work with Kulchin Ross as an independent contractor, and I play the role of coach and quarterback within the organization for my clients. I work closely with the two principles in our firm, with my outstanding support team, and when needed, with others in the agency who have special knowledge and expertise in specific subject areas. I work with my team to make our clients confident that their insurance coverage is in good order, and that their assets and employees are well protected, so they can focus on other important aspects of their business.
Prince: What type of clients do you work with?
Palkovic: When I started my career, I brought little more to the table than the promise of lower premiums. I was so hungry for new clients that I would work with anyone who invited me into their office to provide an insurance “bid.” Over the years, I honed my business and insurance skills and learned the value of having strong relationships with clients that need and see value in my expertise, my unique approach, and my service capabilities. I worked hard to develop the wisdom I needed to deliver sophisticated and meaningful insurance services and resources to my large clients, and I eventually built a client base of businesses in multiple industries ranging in size from 100-1,000 employees.
Six years ago, I decided to relocate to Kulchin Ross Insurance Services. This change allowed me to get back to doing what I really enjoy—working directly with and helping entrepreneurs and owners of growing small to medium-sized companies in almost any industry, that have 10 to 200 employees, and revenues from $3,000,000 to $100,000,000.
While I still understand the importance of low premiums, I now bring the insurance wisdom I developed working with large companies down to my smaller business clients, and I successfully help them understand how to properly and effectively structure and manage their business’s insurance program.
Russ Alan Prince is the executive director of Private Wealth magazine and chief content officer for High-Net-Worth Genius. He consults with family offices, the wealthy, fast-tracking entrepreneurs and select professionals.
