Philip Sibiga is an experienced insurance professional who has worked in the industry for over 40 years. In 1987, Philip Sibiga joined Mathog and Moniello Insurance Agency as an account executive. In this role, he distinguished himself through exceptional sales performance, earning multiple awards, including Employee of the Year on two occasions. He also earned the 100 Percent Sales Award.
In 1995, Philip Sibiga established Premier Insurance Associate, a Connecticut-based insurance sales and risk management company. His leadership and vision helped the firm thrive, and he expanded his expertise with advanced certifications such as the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designations.
Between 2021 and 2023, Mr. Sibiga served as vice president at John M. Glover. In this role, he implemented effective sales strategies, conducted detailed client consultations, and consistently achieved growth targets. His continued success reaffirmed his reputation as a trusted leader in the insurance industry.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Philip Sibiga is an avid reader with a strong interest in stock market trends, wealth management, and personal development. His reading spans classic investment literature, such as The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts early with a trip to the gym. I find that this routine sets the tone for productivity throughout the day, while the exercise boosts my energy levels and mental focus.
Throughout the day, I maintain a structured schedule, prioritizing my work based upon their importance and urgency. Regular fresh air throughout the day helps me stay focused and avoid burnout.
How do you bring ideas to life?
My initial approach on a prospective client starts with a tour of their plant to learn everything I can about their operations. From there, I can develop insight to the exposures to loss emanating from their operations and, through discussion with the client, seek to gain an understanding of the controls they exercise to reduce those exposures to loss. I find this approach allows me to present the account in a very informative manner to the insurance companies, stressing the positive attributes, which allows for the negotiation of the most competitive pricing.
What’s one trend that excites you?
An exciting trend is the development of artificial intelligence and the application within the insurance industry to analyze data, providing more accurate risk assessment, streamline the application process, and generate client-focused marketing materials.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
On the weekend, I update my planner and prioritize my goals for the following week. At the end of each day, I update my to-do list and plan the next day. I strive to tackle the priority items without getting bogged down on emails and trivial work.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Once you have an established book of business, constantly pass on your less complicated accounts to younger producers to assist them in getting started while allowing you more time too solicit larger accounts commensurate with your experience level.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I find that time way from a problem often leads to the solution. Instead of dwelling on an issue, I let my mind go, and, when you are least engaged in the problem, the solution or alternative often becomes clear.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Often, I will take a walk and practice deep breathing, which helps to lower your heart rate.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Learning all you can about a specific industry, which will help you gain meaningful insight to their operations and provide a basis for intelligent conversations with the potential client. Once a client sees that you understand his business, it will foster trust and give the client a comfort level of your ability to provide the most attractive solution.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Learning that a client only needs to say yes to your proposal just once. As a younger salesperson, I was tempted to continue to express the positive aspects of my proposal even after it was clear the client had made the decision in my favor.
With experience, I learned that once you have gotten to “yes,” it is time to start the implementation of the plan.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
When merging with JMG Insurance, we were introduced to their agency management system, with is Applied Epic. This gave us 24/7 access to all of our accounts, whether in office or working remotely.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
A quality pair of wireless earbuds to listen to industry-related podcasts or investment ideas while at the gym or hiking that you would not make time to listen to during the work week.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I often listen to The Compound and Friends by Josh Brown and his team. Several times a week, he will have guests on to speak about the economy, the federal reserve, interest rates, and investment ideas.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox. It is a three-part series on the Boston Red Sox’s first World Series win in 86 years. It documents their historic comeback and win against the Yankees in the ALCS.
It portrays the value of teamwork and camaraderie and has so many parallels to the business world. My most productive years were when I worked with a team of successful producers in which we all enjoyed each other’s company and rooted for one another.
Key learnings
- Establish a productive daily routine that includes exercise, which is essential for maintaining focus and energy.
- Building strong relationships with younger producers is crucial to grow your book of business.
- Plan out your week on the weekend and update your plan and to-do list nightly to prioritize crucial tasks and stay on track.