Like many of you, I struggle to find savings across many of the administrative needs of the organization. Like many of you, I also receive calls from vendors claiming that they can provide not only savings but “personalized” service and availability whenever they are needed. Often, I have found myself to be disappointed when the “personal service” terminates upon the signing of the contract!!

It is for this reason that I am writing; to share with you the comfort, support and pleasure that I have had in working with Michael Jakob of Carriage Trade Insurance Agency, Inc.  Michael and his team at Carriage Trade is a business that “gets it” and one that truly understands the needs of the nonprofit community. Carriage Trade has been Lutheran’s insurance broker for several years and he and his team are always available to me, my CFO, HR Director and General Counsel whenever we need him. Carriage Trade communicates with us regularly either in person or via email and often shares information concerning insurance issues in the sector.

Michael’s work also includes providing us with viable alternatives when insurance companies increase their costs without advance warning. He has also provided counsel as to how we could reduce costs by making minor changes in our operations, office design, etc. Just recently, Mike on his own investigated our payments to the State Insurance Fund and was able to get a reduction of 22% in our premiums!!

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am not one to give faint praise for individuals for “doing their job”. But in Carriage Trade Insurance, I have a reliable advocate, a positive relationship and an incredible professional that helps Lutheran Social Services of NY save money. His skill sets and expertise gives me one less thing to worry about. Something that we all need during this challenging time.

I strongly recommend Mike Jakob and Carriage Trade Insurance Agency for all your insurance needs. Give him a call, ask questions and mention that Damyn sent you!!

Carriage Trade Insurance handles the insurance for Youth Sports Program and have been outstanding in their response to our inquiries and making suggestions for proper coverage. They are highly recommended.

Our School and Church have been dealing with Michael Jakob at Carriage Trade for many years.  I have always found Mike to be very helpful and concerned with any issues I have.

He guides me when I have a problem with filing any kind of forms for any of the insurances we have.

His willingness to “go the extra mile” makes Michael and Carriage Trade a wonderful partner for us.

Dear Mike,  Just a note to thank you for all your help with our insurance needs.  We appreciate you going above and beyond to give us so much help with our medical insurance planning even though you really did not get much business out of the effort.  Also, thanks for the guidance with our liability, fire and damage coverage.  It is good to have someone who is so professional and that is looking out for us.  Thanks again. 

Very truly yours, In Christ

 I have been dealing with Carriage Trade for the last 4 years. They have been extremely knowledgeable, helpful and most of all available for all my insurance needs.

Service on a first name basis is the manner in which I would describe the treatment as a client by Carriage Trade Insurance Company.  Mike Jakob is diligent in his service to Martin Luther School always looking to provide the best possible service to us as a customer while always leading us in a direction that is beneficial to us as a Christian business.  Carriage Trade serves its customers in a manner that is professional, caring and responsible.  It is one of our easiest business relationships! 

Our church had been insured for many years with another agency that never visited the site and never sat down with anyone in leadership to review our policies. Carriage Trade’s approach is completely different. Saving premium money was certainly a factor in moving our business. But just as important is the ongoing proactive relationship we have developed. For the first time, we feel confident that our coverage is not only appropriate, but smart.” 

Family Lumber & Building Materials Corp in Bethpage, NY has been doing business with Carriage Trade Insurance for many years- Mike and Annie have always been most helpful with our concerns and questions regarding our business-they have always acted in our best interests professionally and personally-we would highly recommend them!  

When our firm, Arbor Books, Inc. (provides ghostwriting and publishing for businesses and individuals) needed a rare, specialized type of insurance policy which could also extend coverage to our many clients, we turned once again to Carriage Trade Insurance (they already handle our corporate account, including health care). At the time, we weren't sure this kind of protection even existed. But Annie and Mike listened closely to our requirements, then called on their long experience and extensive contacts in the insurance industry to find exactly what we were looking for -- at a price we could afford. And that's why we count on them: personal service; experience; affordability. The three pillars of their successful, high quality company. And that's why we wouldn't trade Carriage Trade for anything!

Carriage Trade Insurance Agency, represented by Michael Jakob, is a reliable source for your insurance needs. 

As President of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Patchogue, NY I was tasked with replacing our insurance with good coverage at a cost that was not prohibitive.  Easier said than done.  Fortunately, Mike was there to help.  He was “hands on” in efforts to make our property insurable at reasonable rates and made numerous onsite visits. And for those of us who need it, he was in regular contact with me to update our progress.  To those Congregations in need of professional assistance regarding insurance issues I would not hesitate to recommend Mike and Carriage Trade Insurance Agency.  

Carriage Trade Insurance Agency has been a hugely helpful resource to me as the owner of a small cabinet manufacturing business. I have nothing but good things to say. Every interaction I've ever had with Annie, Mike, and everyone else there has been easy, helpful, professional, on time.... I could go on and on. 

Trinity Lutheran Church has been involved with Carriage Trade Insurance for over 10 years.  Mike Jakob has been one of the reasons we continue with Carriage Trade.  He is always willing to help and in many instances he has assisted with issues unrelated with insurance.  He always makes time to assist and on many occasions he has come out to Islip to meet with us on issues that relate to a more productive solution to help Trinity.  Mike is a one of kind, caring and a hard worker who truly cares for individuals.

Resurrection Lutheran Church, Flushing, New York is deeply grateful to Mike Jakob and Carriage Trade Insurance Agency for your guidance in managing the business issues of our small congregation.   You have kept our property insurance premiums very affordable by providing the coverage and deductibles that fit our circumstances. 

In addition, we deeply appreciate your readiness to go above and beyond just providing insurance coverage. In this regard, you have graciously volunteered to walk through our property to develop a risk assessment that highlights areas of our physical structure needing improvement.  You have also, at our request, always been able to refer us to reliable and competent contractors/tradesmen to enable us to carry out much needed upgrades and maintenance to our old church and school buildings.  Also, your expert assistance in navigating various New York City requirements for inspections and permits have been an invaluable help to us in ensuring that we are able to be in compliance in all areas.  

It is an honor for us to highly recommend Carriage Trade Insurance Agency.