Today we’d like to introduce you to Ely Kaplansky.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
From leaving high school to begin my insurance career as a “registry runner” at 16, to using my very limited life savings to start my own agency at 22, I now run one of the largest independent agencies in Massachusetts with 13 locations serving almost 30,000 clients.
The day that I received my driver’s license at age 16, I had a part-time job after school lined up as a “Registry Runner.” I served various insurance agencies and car dealerships by processing and delivering license plates and vehicle transfers. One of those agencies offered me a part time job a few evenings a week training me to write auto insurance. Another agency offered me a full-time job. I made the questionable decision to drop out of my senior year of high school and accept that position.
The manager at the agency I was working at left to start his own agency in Brookline. He offered me a position at the new agency and I accepted. After being employed at that agency for several years, I resigned when I realized that some of the agency’s business practices were unethical. I left the insurance field for a brief period and took a sales position in the advertising and the fund-raising industry. At age 19, I opened a small advertising agency. That lasted barely a year. I decided to try insurance again. At age 21, I decided that Brookline would be better served with an insurance agency with high standards and professionalism. I took my entire savings of $2000 and borrowed another $4000 and opened Kaplansky Insurance in June of 1974 at age 22.
We are now one of the largest and most successful agencies in New England.
We love our clients!
Has it been a smooth road?
Every day is a struggle.
Failure is my friend. It has taught me much.
Negativity is my enemy. I run from it.
Smooth road? I don’t think so.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Kaplansky Insurance is a full service general insurance agency with multiple offices conveniently located throughout Eastern and Southern Massachusetts insuring over 29,000 clients. We serve individuals, families and businesses on a total account basis for all lines of insurance. We offer a complete line of insurance products including auto insurance, home insurance, business insurance, life insurance and benefits. As an independent agency, we represent many insurance companies as both agent and broker. Kaplansky Insurance is one of the leading independent insurance agencies in the Northeast.
Our agency promotes education and personal development to the point that each employee strives to achieve maximum personal and business potential while working towards an industry recognized designation.
Kaplansky Insurance consistently strives to improve internal and external communications so that clients, employees, and insurance companies will have full knowledge of our products and services.
At Kaplansky Insurance, we uphold our mission by working hard every day to bring value to our clients and community. Working with the highest ethical standards, as well as providing excellent quality service and products, is just good business. When we are recognized for our work by esteemed organizations, it reconfirms the fact that we are doing the right things and continuing to be driven by our core values.
Featured Awards and Industry Recognition
•Independent Insurance Agents of America “Best Practices” Award
•Massachusetts Association of Independent Agents “Five-Star” Award
•Boston Business Journal one of Massachusetts Largest Insurance Brokers In Massachusetts.
•Readers’ Choice Awards, #1 Choice for Insurance in Brookline and honorable mentions in Milford and Maynard.
•Best of Newton Award in the Insurance Category by the US Commerce Association.
•Best of Milford Award in the Insurance Category by the US Commerce Association.
Certifications & Designations Held By Our Staff
•Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA)
•Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
•Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
•Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI)
•Licensed Insurance Adviser (LIA)
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I am a child of Holocaust survivors.
I was born in Israel.
Moved to Worcester when I was three.
Moved to Boston when I was eight.
Still here in the Boston area. Love it.
Great place to do business. Do not go anywhere else!
Contact Info:
- Address: 10 Kearney Rd
Needham, MA 02494 - Website: www.kaplansky.com
- Phone: 800-640-2020
- Email: info@kaplansky.com
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