Satellite office brings Schneiter Weers to Monticello

     When Jackie Schneiter bought the Anamosa-based Weers Insurance Agency in March 2018, she began to hear a recurring question: “When are you going to have an office in Monticello?”

     Now there is one. On June 1, The Schneiter Weers Insurance and Financial Services Agency opened a satellite office in Monticello, on the southwest corner of First Street and Main Street.

     Jon Kyte works in the office, giving the company not only an experienced educator and coach, but also a Monticello native.

     “It’s a cool feeling just to be back in the town you grew up in, and being able to serve your community,” Kyte said.

     “We had set a goal of what we needed to get accomplished in order to support an agency here,” Schneiter said during an interview at the new office. “Jon worked really hard, and accomplished that target. We wanted to open it earlier, but COVID hit, so it delayed us a little bit.”

     The company rents the office. It was the former location of Holiday & Home, owned by Carrie Yates, which has moved into the former Baked! Building.

     “We started looking around last fall,” Schneiter said during an interview at the Monticello office. “Some of the spaces were so large. We knew that Carrie would be moving out of here, so we came and looked at it, and thought, ‘This is perfect.’ ”

     “It was pretty much move-in ready,” Kyte added.

     Word is getting around.

     “Some people have noticed,” Kyte said. “There’s been some walk-in traffic. We’ve had a few people that have come in and said that now we are here in Monticello, that’s the reason they stopped in.”

     Schneiter Weers offers home, auto, recreational, commercial, farm and health insurance, as well as financial investments. As an independent agency, the company goes through several carriers: Nationwide, Grinnell Mutual, Alliance, Progressive, EMC, Foremost and Hagerty.

     “With the times that we’re having right now, and the uncertainty, it’s nice that we have multiple carriers,” Kyte said. “We can look at the different options and make sure they have the best value for the coverage that they need for themselves or their family members.”

     “Carriers fluctuate,” Schneiter added. It’s nice to have many, because it positions you to help the customer find the best value at that time.”

     Kyte’s experience as a teacher and coach puts him in a unique position to help the customer.

     “It’s really working with the client and educating them on insurance,” he said. “Everybody needs insurance, but sometimes they don’t realize why they need something or what it is that they’re paying for. Education is number one.”

     Schneiter Weers is working to draw in customers in another way, with Weenie Wednesdays. On any Wednesday, any member of the public can stop in to get a free hot dog, chips and bottle of water. Kyte serves people while wearing a mask and gloves.

     “It’s just so people know that he’s here,” Schneiter said.

     Like many companies these days, Schneiter Weers is going through an adjustment period, not only because of the additional office but also because of the effects of COVID-19.

     “We were working from home for a couple months,” Schneiter said. “We’ve amended our processes because of what we learned during that remote experience. Many companies are doing things a little bit differently and serving their customers differently, and we’re doing the same. We are just doing a lot more electronic work with each other and with our customers.”

     While Kyte works alone in Monticello, those working in Anamosa include Patti Larson, Jessie Bohlken, Michelle Smith, Diane Joslin and Gary Weers.

     In both locations, Kyte said, “We have insurance for every need. If you need something insured, we can find something for it.”