The Accelerator by Hagerty

Mindset Over Metrics: The Community-Driven Growth Model with Jeremy Benjamin

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:56:00 -0000

What happens when deep personal passion meets smart business strategy? In this episode of The Accelerator, Bryant Kolle and John Gessner sit down with Jeremy Benjamin, a true car enthusiast who turned his love for collector vehicles into remarkable agency growth.

Jeremy shares how connecting with clients on what they genuinely love and building trust, community, and authentic relationships became a winning formula for sustained business success. Forget cold sales tactics: discover how becoming an active participant in the car community, hosting unforgettable events, and focusing on human connection can deliver real growth.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(00:27) Introducing the collector car market opportunity

(01:05) Jeremy’s unconventional growth approach: passion meets plan

(06:03) The Central Valley’s car culture and how local insight drives business

(09:22) Shifting the agency mindset and aligning teams

(13:53) Account rounding and deepening relationships with car enthusiasts

(16:24) Building WIS&G Cars & Coffee +: the event as marketing superpower

(24:51) How referrals and real-world presence drive revenue

(29:25) Embracing AI without sacrificing the power of human connections

(38:26) Get started with car clubs, curiosity, and community

(42:06) Key takeaways for agents

Links mentioned in this episode:

WIS&G Cars & Coffee +: https://www.instagram.com/wisgcarsandcoffee/

Send your questions and feedback to Bryant and John at theacceleratorpodcast@hagerty.com

Hagerty Bull Market List Explained: What Cars Are Becoming Collectible with Larry Webster

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:09:00 -0000

John Gessner and Bryant Kolle unpack Hagerty’s new Bull Market List with car culture legend Larry Webster. Learn what makes a car collectible today, why ’90s and 2000s models are heating up, and how agents can spot, protect, and win with enthusiast vehicles. Plus: why agreed value coverage is a must for serious car lovers.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(04:12) Introducing Larry Webster

(08:40) Why authenticity matters at Hagerty

(11:35) Tracking classic car trends

(15:23) Why Mopar muscle cars are rare

(17:02) Miata, the ultimate analog sports car

(20:51) Vintage cars, interest, and maintenance

(23:20) BMW M5, an unexpected collectible

(27:04) Condition 2: what it really means

(30:30) Vehicle valuation insights for claims

(33:53) Hagerty free automotive resources

(38:32) V10 engines and flywheels explained

(40:40) Challenges of high-performance cars

(42:11) Bull market insights and patterns

(46:35) Connecting through cars

(48:30) Understanding audience connections

(51:57) Engaging clients with the Bull Market List

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Larry Webster on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-webster-53896a13/

2026 Hagerty Bull Market List: https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/bull-market-2026/

5 Ways to Win More Business: https://www.hagertyagent.com/resources/hagerty-insights/collector-car-market-5-ways-to-win-more-business

The Hagerty Claims Difference: https://www.hagertyagent.com/resources/hagerty-insights/accelerating-trust-hagerty-claims-team

The Cars You Should Know: https://www.hagertyagent.com/resources/hagerty-insights/cysk-shift-into-high-gear-for-a-winning-year-ahead

Send your questions and feedback to Bryant and John at theacceleratorpodcast@hagerty.com

Owning the Future of Enthusiast Insurance: A Conversation with Jeff Briglia

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:10:00 -0000

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what truly moved the needle.

Bryant Kolle and John Gessner look back on a year defined by growth, community, and meaningful industry insight. They’re joined by special guest Jeff Briglia, President of Insurance at Hagerty. Jeff shares his career journey through companies like of Plymouth Rock, and what makes Hagerty genuinely different in insurance.

The conversation explores customer-first culture, shifting generations of car enthusiasts, and what it all means for agents today.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(00:35) Reflections from The Accelerator in 2025

(06:01) Career shift for work-life balance

(06:38) Pivoting to Progressive

(10:47) Plymouth Rock’s market mastery

(16:07) Hagerty’s classic car expertise

(17:14) Building connection through car restoration

(21:52) Enhancing insurance for modern needs

(25:09) Adapting to today’s car owners

(27:26) Cross-functional growth through curiosity

(31:38) Hagerty’s distribution and partnerships

(35:07) Supporting independent agents

(37:07) Specialized car insurance guidance

(42:23) Being a force for good

(44:47) Generational shifts and future solutions

(46:50) End better, be good

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Jeff Briglia on LinkedIn

The Hagerty approach to collector car claims: https://www.hagertyagent.com/resources/hagerty-insights/accelerating-trust-hagerty-claims-team

The difference between ACV, Stated Value, and Guaranteed Value®: https://www.hagertyagent.com/resources/hagerty-insights/guaranteed-value

Hagerty’s Cars You Should Know for agents and brokers: https://www.hagertyagent.com/resources/hagerty-insights/cysk-shift-into-high-gear-for-a-winning-year-ahead

Send your questions and feedback to Bryant and John at theacceleratorpodcast@hagerty.com

Tuning the Frequency: How Mindset Powers Agent Success with Toby Brazwell

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:02:00 -0000

Today, we welcome a true multi-hyphenate guest – Toby Brazwell, who is a district leader, musician, author, and empowerment coach. Toby joins the show to explore how emotional intelligence and mindset shape performance, why building your “personal board of advisors” is a game-changer for insurance professionals, and dig into the powerful idea that every interaction is an interview.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(00:57) Introducing Toby Brazwell: mindset, music, leadership and impact

(05:16) Connecting creativity, music and business

(11:13) Emotional intelligence and tuning into frequencies

(14:12) Coaching mindset and cultivating EQ in sales teams

(18:14) Reframing failure – you either win or learn

(20:00) Learning from adversity: Everest and Tom Brady

(22:24) Unlocking potential and building your Friendship Incorporated

(27:05) Writing ‘The Empowerment Chords’ and finding your power

(30:14) Are top insurance agents born or trained?

(34:02) The power of systems in sales performance

(35:38) Coaching underperformers – stick, carrot or conversation?

(41:32) Habit shifts: treat every interaction like an interview

(45:30) From insurance to city council: purpose-driven leadership

(50:10) Top takeaways and final thoughts

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Toby Brazwell on LinkedIn

The Empowerment Chords – Book

The E-Myth Revisted – Book

Fortune article on Tom Brady

Send your questions and feedback to Bryant and John at theacceleratorpodcast@hagerty.com

Behind the Numbers – How Product and Underwriting Power Hagerty’s Advantage

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:46:00 -0000

Our guests from Hagerty, Sabrina Wheaton (Senior Director of Underwriting & Operations) and Kennen Choiniere (Director of U.S. Auto Product Management), pull back the curtain on how Hagerty delivers stability, flexibility and top-tier service to agents and their clients.

You’ll hear how product filings really work, why pricing varies state to state, and what makes Hagerty’s endorsements and underwriting approach stand out. Plus, they share real stories of going the extra mile for both agents and collectors.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(04:22) Inside Hagerty’s risk-based pricing strategy

(09:03) After-hours service that stands out

(10:26) Boosting efficiency with straight-through processing

(13:55) The wedding day car surprise

(18:54) How agent feedback drives improvement

(21:18) What insurance scoring really means

(23:45) Breaking down risk-based insurance pricing

(28:57) Supporting automotive enthusiasts together

(29:58) Keeping pricing consistent for better risk management

(35:44) Fine-tuning policies and endorsements

(38:14) Smarter coverage and retention strategies

(42:23) Passion that fuels the specialty vehicle space

(44:54) Our favourite classic Toyota and Nissan picks

(46:56) Accelerator wrap-up: grow faster, grow smarter

Links mentioned in this episode:

Sabrina Wheaton on LinkedIn

Kennen Choiniere on LinkedIn

Additional coverage through Hagerty

Hagerty – 4 Questions

Send your questions and feedback to Bryant and John at theacceleratorpodcast@hagerty.com

Elevating Standards in Private Risk: A Chat with PRMA’s Diane Delaney

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:44:00 -0000

The world of high-net-worth risk management is shifting fast – from cyber threats to passion assets like collector cars. How do you stay ahead? Diane Delaney, CEO and Executive Director of the Private Risk Management Association, shares what’s really changing in this space.

Diane takes us from her early days at AIG to leading PRMA, sharing insights on affluent clients, new research on the “confidence versus concern” gap, and why collaboration has never mattered more.

Whether you work with wealthy clients daily or are just stepping into this market, you’ll walk away with practical ways to sharpen your expertise, leverage AI for sales coaching and use client passions to spark deeper conversations.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(06:23) Journey to insurance training

(08:33) Joining the Private Client Group at AIG

(12:51) Industry conference on disasters and solutions

(15:37) PRMA's collaborative community

(21:32) Adapting sales for high net worth

(25:39) Insurance gaps and generational concerns

(29:11) Proactive cyber support needed

(30:50) Insurance advisor's role beyond transactions

(35:46) PRMA membership growth and value expansion

(37:45) Insurance association's AI investment plans

(42:50) Global issues impacting personal lives

(43:52) Proactive cyber and risk management

(49:00) Private risk management access details

(52:45) Passion assets (like collector cars) open wealth doors

(53:23) AI-driven proactive prevention strategies

Links mentioned in this episode:

Diane Delaney on LinkedIn

Private Risk Management Association

2025 PRMA Summit - New Orleans

Risk Ready Podcast

Market Stability, Car Values, and the Growing Influence of Younger Enthusiasts with Brian Rabold

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:09:00 -0000

With Monterey Car Week on the horizon, hosts John Gessner and Bryant Kolle sit down with Brian Rabold, VP of Automotive Intelligence at Hagerty, for a look at the market. From the evolution of the hobby over the past six years to the story behind the Hagerty Price Guide, Brian unpacks the trends shaping today’s market, including the rise of ’90s enthusiast cars and the influence of younger collectors.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(04:36) Hagerty's market insights explained

(08:38) Simplifies the car buying process

(11:53) Classic car magazine experience

(14:14) Hagerty's vision for car enthusiasts

(19:49) Bring a trailer's pandemic rise

(21:36) Yolo and market growth surge

(25:54) Collector car trends by generation

(30:21) Understanding extra car significance

(33:35) Ensuring accurate insurance valuations

(35:21) Hagerty valuation and support options

(38:53) Car collection estate planning

(41:17) '97 land cruisers: emerging collectables

(44:12) Vehicle use shapes value

(47:31) Desirable cars: Apex F40 and Ruf

(51:42) Undervalued car market insights

(54:48) Hot collector BMW models

(57:48) BMW enthusiasm among Gen X rises

Links mentioned in this episode:

Brian Rabold on LinkedIn

Building Boutique Success: Community, Cars, and Culture in Insurance with Dana Acabbo and Carrie Keller

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:18:00 -0000

What happens when two experienced insurance professionals decide to do things differently? In this episode of The Accelerator, Dana Acabbo and Carrie Keller talk about their journey from big-firm life to launching their boutique agency Make The Switch.

Discover why authenticity trumps quotas, how to network effectively from Pebble Beach to rural Nebraska, and why sometimes, the best clients drive Hondas, not Ferraris. If you’re ready to make “the switch” to a more meaningful, memorable business in insurance, you don’t want to miss this episode.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(01:03) Meet Dana and Carrie: Starting a boutique agency

(05:04) Carrie’s shift from carrier to broker

(07:53) Dana’s leap from big firms to entrepreneurship

(12:40) Turning your personal brand into a business edge

(14:45) From car shows to building client trust

(17:02) Networking tips for agents new to car culture

(19:19) Why car passion goes beyond Ferraris

(24:37) Industry trends: underwriting, CAT risks, and new wealth

(29:15) Growing through referrals

(31:41) Team rituals, mascots, and leadership lessons

(32:35) Women in insurance: leading with authenticity

(34:00) What’s changing in the collector car market

(37:58) Succeeding in car insurance, without being a car nut

(40:34) Building for the long haul: branding and naming tips

(42:51) Balancing business and family life

(49:42) Porsche trends and coverage tips for agents

Links mentioned in this episode:

Dana Acabbo on LinkedIn

Carrie Keller on LinkedIn

Make The Switch Insurance

Wildfires, Floods, Hurricanes: When Disaster Strikes Classic Cars

Wed, 28 May 2025 13:42:00 -0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Accelerator, where we unpack real-world catastrophe claims – from wildfires, floods, to hurricanes – and what happens when the unexpected hits. You'll hear frontline stories from Hagerty claims experts, revealing how rapid response, personal connection, and a customer-first mindset make all the difference. From California evacuations to Florida recovery efforts, this episode is packed with insights, tips, and inspiration.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(01:39) The rewarding aspect of dealing with catastrophes

(05:21) Proud of Hagerty's authentic service

(09:01) Swift insurance claim payments

(11:28) An unexpected visit in St. Petersberg

(15:33) Vehicle relocation expense reimbursement

Links mentioned in this episode:

The Accelerator: Episode 2

Lee Meeler on LinkedIn

Jeff Mullenix on LinkedIn

David Herbert on LinkedIn

From Million-Dollar Wrecks to Lifetime Clients: Lessons from the Claims Team

Mon, 19 May 2025 17:00:00 -0000

What if the make-or-break moment in your client relationship wasn’t when you wrote the policy, but when disaster struck? Lee Meeler, Jeff Mullenix and David Herbert from Hagerty’s claims team reveal what really happens when a high-value collector car is damaged, and how a smooth, transparent process creates loyal customers.

From missing classics found via Google Street View to multi-million dollar supercars reborn at the factory, you’ll hear the stories that show why collector car claims are nothing like standard auto insurance.

Whether you’re a seasoned broker or new to the niche, you’ll discover how specialized knowledge and a human touch can turn claims from business risks into powerful referrals.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(02:43) Collector car market update and why agents should care

(10:23) Meet the Hagerty claims leadership team

(13:29) Why classic car claims are so complex (and fascinating)

(16:41) Claims stories: Lost classics, high-stakes repairs, McLaren millionaires

(23:32) Building the dream material damage team

(25:39) How Hagerty handles claims for modified, rare, and exotic vehicles

(26:47) What really separates classic car claims from standard auto claims

(31:45) Secret sauce: How Hagerty sources rare parts and supports repairs

(34:40) Stated vs. Agreed vs. Guaranteed Value – what every agent must know

(36:49) Net Promoter Score – proof that claims can build lasting business

(39:48) Handling total losses, salvage, and the “Cherished Salvage” difference

(44:14) Catastrophe claims – Hagerty’s “Three Ps” approach

(49:23) Rapid-fire: Top advice for agents during the claims process

(55:11) Power tip: Why dash cams matter for your clients

(56:34) Podcast wrap-up & collector car spotlight: All about Pontiacs

Links mentioned in this episode:

Pontiac Solstice

Lee Meeler on LinkedIn

Jeff Mullenix on LinkedIn

David Herbert on LinkedIn

Why Confidence is Your Best Asset in Business and Sales with Lydia Fenet

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Imagine standing on stage at a high-stakes auction, gavel in hand, heart pounding with excitement. For Lydia Fenet, this isn’t just a moment, it’s a career she’s built with persistence and self-belief. In this first episode of The Accelerator, Lydia – an accomplished auctioneer and confidence coach – shares her journey from college intern at Christie’s to launching her own agency.

Whether you're an insurance agent, broker, or just looking to sharpen your sales and networking skills, Lydia’s insights on confidence, persuasion, and learning from failure are invaluable. Plus, we explore how a passion for car collecting meets the precision of the auction world.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

(00:39) Introduction

(09:03) Lydia's journey into auctioneering

(19:16) Starting the Lydia Fenet Agency

(24:08) Tips on claiming confidence

(35:24) Approaching high net worth individuals

(45:05) Preparing for large auctions

(49:08) Key takeaways

(50:47) ‘Cars You Should Know’

(53:58) Outro

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Lydia Fenet on LinkedIn

Lydia Fenet Agency

Claim Your Confidence – Book

The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You – Book

Hagerty Cars You Should Know