Featured Agent Paul Devitte – Back to the Family Business

Our newest agent not only has a proven track record of business success, but he also has a stake in the future of SAV-ON Insurance. His name is Paul Devitte, and he is the son of co-owner Rick Devitte and the grandson of founder Don Devitte.

He brings his experience and vision to SAV-ON after more than a decade of solid business successes in a variety of positions, from the transportation industry to property management.

Not surprisingly, as a family member, he got his start at SAV-ON when only a teenager, working as a “gopher” and jack-of-all-trades. He did some marketing, couriered correspondence between SAV-ON offices, and even delivered and installed office printers on occasion.

While attending college at the University of Washington with hopes of being a lawyer, he landed a job as a valet for a large transportation company operating in downtown Seattle. He looks back fondly at that time, saying It turned out to be the most fun job he’s ever had!

After finishing college, he parlayed his valet job into being promoted to account manager at the same company, the youngest person to hold that position at the time. He was young, ambitious, and climbing the corporate ladder. Things were going well!

Paul turned out to be very good at his job, maximizing profits and getting the attention of upper management. Before long he was in charge of nine locations and had obtained the commercial contract for all the Swedish Hospital parking garages.

While enjoying his success he came to know the CEO a large janitorial service with contracts for many downtown buildings. They struck up a friendship and, even though he didn’t know much about the janitorial business, he was offered a job as a property manager in Seattle. Soon his properties were number one in sales for three years in a row, and he was a rising star.

“I was then promoted to Regional Manager, which meant commuting from Seattle to Portland,” Paul recalls, “I’d spend all week in a rental house in Portland, then make the drive back to Seattle for the weekend. This went on for a year, and it was exhausting.”

This high-stress lifestyle caused his health to suffer, and he wasn’t able to spend much time with his wife, who was maintaining their Renton home. He realized that something had to change, so he resigned from his position and moved back home.

After taking time off to relax and recharge, he decided to return to his roots at SAV-ON Insurance. He has spent six months now as a Customer Service Rep in the Seattle office, passed his Property & Casualty license and is now an agent – although he doesn’t like that title.
“I don’t like being called an ‘agent’”, Paul states, “I’d rather be called an ‘advisor’, since that is what I do; I advise clients as to what the best insurance plan is for them.”

Whatever you call him, he’s effective at what he does because he is a good listener. While listening he is able to read people by finding out where they’re coming from and where they’re going. Then he goes to work helping them achieve that.

“I take a look at a person’s family and financial situation and determine the best plan for them,” Paul says, “Then I make sure they are covered appropriately. I want to gain their trust, so they’ll become regular customers.”

One of his most memorable stories involves a man who came into the office needing insurance. After some questioning, Paul found out his wife had kicked him off her policy for having too many claims and raising their premiums. Paul knew that having two separate policies in the same household would be expensive, so he decided to call the wife and explained the situation. It took two weeks, but she decided that it made more sense to restore him on the policy. Problem solved!

Paul has enjoyed coming back “home” and plans to stay this time. He would like some day to carry on the Devitte family name as owner of SAV-ON Insurance. He enjoys the close family atmosphere that everyone – family or not – feels when working there. He also has plans to add an emphasis on commercial insurance to augment their property and casualty coverage.

Whatever the future holds, you know that Paul Devitte and his dedication to success will result in good things. Only this time he’ll be doing it at ‘home’.