Chef switches jobs to ‘help more people’

Agent specializes in insurance for cancer, heart attack, stroke and accident victims
"I love what I’m doing and that’s providing individuals and families with protection in case something unfortunate should happen to them."

When Casey McCoy graduated from high school, he had his mind set on being a chef. But after preparing meals for several years, the 28-year-old Minneota native now feels what he is serving is much more important.

McCoy is the founder and owner of Compassion Capital, which specializes in insurance for cancer, heart attacks, strokes, heart disease and accidental injuries.

“I wish I could have found this 10 years ago,” McCoy stated. “I love what I’m doing and that’s providing individuals and families with protection in case something unfortunate should happen to them.”

After 10-plus years in the food preparation industry, McCoy went back to college and got his degree in Finance from Southwest Minnesota State University this past May. In an attempt to promote his agency by reaching out to people to give them a better understanding of the types of insurance he provides, McCoy literally began going door-to-door. But the transition from chef to insurance salesman took a little dash of ingenuity, along with sprinkle of quick wit, and blended together with compassion and a likeable personality.

“I’ve knocked on a lot of doors,” said the outgoing McCoy.

“Insurance people often get a bad rap. But I try to be understanding of people’s situations. I try to be super polite when dealing with others.” Shortly out of college, one of the first homes McCoy approached was in eastern Minnesota.

As he began walking up to the front door, McCoy noticed a yellow sign attached to the railing of a step. The sign read: “Every Third Salesman Will Be Shot”.

“Yeah, I was a little scared,” he said. “But I’ve always figured that what scares you the most helps you grow the fastest.”

o McCoy ignored the sign and tapped on the door anyway. Soon, an underdressed middle-aged man came to the door holding a shotgun in one hand and a beer in the other.

“What do you want?” the man called out. “I immediately went into my sales pitch,” recalled McCoy.

“I said ‘Hi, I’m Casey McCoy …’” Before he could utter another word, the man interrupted him.

“Can’t you read?” he asked, pointing to the sign.

“Of course I can read, I’m a salesman,” joked McCoy, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re number three,” the man stated.

McCoy then used his quick wit to win the man over. “I can’t be the third,” he began, “because the first two would have been too chicken to knock.”

With that being said, the man smiled and invited McCoy into his home. Although the man did not purchase an insurance policy, he did assist the young salesman by giving him names of some neighbors who might be interested.

“He was super nice,” said McCoy, matter-of-factly. “We had a good talk.”

When McCoy was a sophomore in high school, he landed a job as a cook at CJ’s Bar & Grill in downtown Minneota and spent three years there grilling hamburgers among other items. Upon graduation in 2007, McCoy wanted to make food preparation his profession. So he enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in New York City.

After getting his degree, McCoy worked as a chef and/or general manager at various restaurants in Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Iowa, Nebraska, Canby, Ivanhoe and Marshall. It was during that time that McCoy became a father.

“I have a beautiful little girl, Ellie, who is now 6 1/2 years old,” said McCoy, a single parent. “I realized that I wasn’t going anywhere (as a chef) and, as a father, I needed to make more money to support my daughter. So I made the switch because of Ellie.”

In 2013, McCoy enrolled in the Finance program at SMSU in Marshall. While in college, McCoy was recruited by Brad Klein of Family Heritage Life, and upon graduation this past May, became an independent contractor for the insurance firm.

Shortly after that, McCoy decided to build his own agency while still remaining an independent contractor for Family Heritage Life.

“I started as a 1099 employee for Family Heritage Life and from there I knew I wanted to grow an agency of many, rather than being solely an independent contractor for them,” McCoy said.

“We protect families against the out-of-pocket expenses while battling cancer, heart issues and accidents. All I knew is that I wanted to help people and be there for them in a time of need. And I saw a need I this type of insurance as I have seen it greatly impact so many people.”

Using his Sioux Falls home as his office, McCoy began recruiting potential agents for his agency. He currently has two active agents and three others still in training.

Today, his agency is flourishing. “I have so many referrals now, that it’s hard to get to them all,” he said.

The types of policies Compassion Capital offers are a security in case a serious illness or accident should occur.

“People don’t want to think they can get cancer,” he said. “But three out of four people, including one in two men, are affected by cancer.”

If a client purchases a cancer policy, for example, from Compassion Capital and is fortunate enough to not be afflicted within a 20-year span, the money he or she has paid in premiums is returned to them. And if the policy holder should be diagnosed with cancer after the 20-year period, they still retain the reimbursement, while also remaining covered by the policy.

“You aren’t investing in anything other than security and peace of mind,” McCoy explained.

“No one wants to pay for anything they don’t use. But it’s important to have these types of coverage because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”

McCoy said that while the most enjoyable part of his job is getting out and meeting people, it can also be the most difficult part. “The hardest part is when someone will ask me where I was three days ago,” he said.

“That just happened to me recently with someone diagnosed with breast cancer just a few days before I met them. Those are the things I hear that push me to work harder.”

A misconception with insurance coverage is that short- or long-term disability will cover serious illnesses or accidents. “Health insurance pays doctors and hospitals,” McCoy explained.

“Life insurance pays when you die. We pay you as you battle these things.” McCoy has worked with veterans, active military personnel, those on Medicare, retired individuals, young families, single men and women, widows and even doctors.

“There isn’t a demographic of people we don’t help,” he said. And his personality and compassion for helping others assures him every day that he made the right career choice. And every day also brings a new experience when he approaches a front door at a home.

In another recent outing, he walked up the steps of a home in the Windom area, only to find a sign that read: “No solicitors”.

And like the previous sign he encountered that was designed to scare away a salesman, McCoy rang the doorbell anyway.

Even though McCoy knew there was a chance the exchange could end in a negative way, he also felt there was an equal chance someone in the home might benefit from what he was offering. “What are you selling,” a voice called out. “What are you buying?” was McCoy’s response.

The homeowner laughed at the salesman’s witty response and opened the door to allow McCoy to enter.

“The family bought a policy from me and we’ve become very good friends ever since,” said McCoy.

“Now they let me stay at their house when I’m in the area instead of having to stay in a motel.”

Although the majority of his personal appearances have been positive, McCoy may need to avoid knocking on a door in which the mailbox reads: “Hatfield”.

That could really stir up a feud.

For more information, call Casey McCoy at 605-553-6447 or email him at caseymccoy89@gmail.com.

Casey McCoy

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