Most insurance conversations happen long before a claim ever occurs. Organizations review coverage, evaluate risk, prepare for renewals, and work to protect themselves from future uncertainty.
But when a fire shuts down operations, a serious liability claim emerges, or a major property loss disrupts the business, the conversation changes. The question is no longer, Do we have insurance? It’s What happens next?
That moment is where the value of an insurance partner becomes clear.
At IMA, our mission is to be our customers’ most trusted advisor. That philosophy doesn’t end when a policy is placed. It’s why we’ve invested in an in-house claims team that stays alongside clients from first notice of loss through final resolution, providing guidance, advocacy, and practical support when businesses need it most.
This commitment reflects the same principles that define every client relationship at IMA. We believe in planning ahead, communicating proactively, and helping clients avoid surprises. We solve complex insurance challenges that many agencies won’t take on. And as a fourth-generation, family-owned agency with more than a century of experience, we make decisions based on what’s best for our clients, not quarterly shareholder expectations.
Claims advocacy is a natural extension of these values.
For commercial organizations, claims are rarely just financial events. They can disrupt operations, impact employees and customers, strain cash flow, and threaten long-term growth. An experienced claims team helps clients navigate that complexity by coordinating with carriers, facilitating communication among stakeholders, monitoring claim progress, and helping keep recovery efforts on track. Beyond individual claims, they also identify loss trends, review reserves, and recommend risk management strategies that can reduce future losses and lower the total cost of risk.
“In today’s marketplace, the right insurance partner doesn’t simply help you prepare for risk. They help you navigate it when it matters most.”
At IMA, this work is led by seasoned professionals who bring both technical expertise and real-world perspective. Claims Risk Manager Steve Ryan has spent more than 35 years helping businesses analyze losses, manage complex claims, and strengthen their overall risk strategy. Claims Account Executive Kristen Gabor draws on experience from both the carrier and agency sides of the industry to provide responsive guidance and hands-on support throughout the claims process.
75%
Reduction in Tenant Displacement Time
The impact of this experience can be significant. After an electrical fire filled thirteen stories of a downtown high-rise with soot, early estimates suggested tenants would be displaced for up to eight months. By coordinating contractors, restoration vendors, adjusters, and the insurance carrier, Our claims team helped accelerate the recovery effort. Tenants began returning within two months, and the building reached full occupancy just three months after the loss.
In today’s insurance marketplace, where many agencies focus primarily on placing policies, claims advocacy remains one of the clearest demonstrations of what it means to be a trusted advisor. The right insurance partner doesn’t simply help you prepare for risk. They help you navigate it when it matters most.
