by Dan Burghardt, Owner of Dan Burghardt Insurance
For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form and you will be contacted ASAP.
After 40 years of serving Louisiana and Mississippi—focusing on New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, St. Bernard, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Baton Rouge, Hammond, Houma, Thibodaux, LaPlace, Lake Charles, Bossier City, Central, Lafayette, Monroe, Shreveport, and Alexandria—one lesson stands tall: good customer service is not optional. It is the foundation of a dependable agency. And nothing tests that foundation faster than a phone call that goes unanswered.
Insurance isn’t something people shop for when they’re in a great mood. Nobody ever says, “I can’t wait to spend my afternoon on hold.” Most folks reach out because they need clarity, solutions, or reassurance. When an agency can’t manage to answer or return a call, the customer is left wondering if the service will be just as invisible when it really matters.
The Real Price of Silence
Some agencies treat ringing phones like background music—nice to have, but not something they feel obligated to respond to. What they don’t realize is that silence has a cost. Unreturned calls can lead to missed deadlines, lapses in coverage, confusion about payments, and unnecessary stress.
A client who cannot get answers ends up feeling like they’re navigating the insurance world with a blindfold on… while riding a unicycle… during Mardi Gras. It’s not a good combination.
Good customer service eliminates that stress. It says someone is listening, someone is paying attention, someone is invested in helping. And in an industry built on trust, that level of communication matters more than anything else.
For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form and you will be contacted ASAP.
Why Live Answering Matters More Than Ever
At Dan Burghardt Insurance, a live person has always answered the phones and directed callers to the right place. No automated attendant forcing someone to sit through two minutes of numbered options. No robotic voice asking callers to “listen carefully, because our menu has changed.” And no endless maze of extensions, only to reach the wrong one and start over.
For anyone spending thousands of dollars a year on auto, home, flood, business insurance, and more, this type of frustration is unreasonable. A simple question should not feel like navigating airport security.
And the stakes rise even higher after a hurricane or major disaster. When a storm hits, customers don’t have time to fight through menus or search for a live human. They need answers immediately.
Being in a hurricane-prone region means evacuation can be ordered at any time. For that reason, the agency uses a 24/7 answering service located safely outside the affected area. This ensures that calls are always answered, even when local offices are displaced.
The answering service works with first responders and forwards calls to evacuated agents equipped with laptops so claims can be reported ASAP. Service requests, questions, quotes, and after-hours messages are all handled around the clock—24/7/365, weekends included.
Responsiveness isn’t just a courtesy. In Louisiana and Mississippi, it’s survival.
Missed Calls, Missed Opportunities
When an agency doesn’t answer the phone, someone else will. Insurance shoppers don’t wait long. They have options, and they know it. If the first agency doesn’t respond, the next one will gladly take the business.
Communication isn’t about speed—it’s about respect, reliability, and reassurance. The simple act of picking up the phone communicates stability.
A call returned quickly can be the difference between a smooth policy adjustment and a coverage problem. It can prevent misunderstandings, protect renewal timelines, and give customers peace of mind.
Responsiveness Creates Stability
After four decades in this industry, one truth has never changed: responsiveness creates confidence. Even a short callback can prevent a long list of problems. Customers want to know their questions matter. When communication is clear and consistent, they stay longer, worry less, and feel secure in their coverage.
Insurance can feel complicated, but communication should never make it more complicated.
Customer Service Isn’t a Department—It’s a Promise
The difference between a dependable agency and a frustrating one often comes down to how they treat the simplest interactions. Behind every phone call is a person who needs answers, reassurance, or guidance. Good customer service makes that person feel seen and supported.
Returning calls, assisting with changes, explaining policies, guiding through claims—all of these build a stable and dependable experience. And yes, every now and then, someone calls asking if they can insure something surprising. But no matter the request, the phone gets answered.
For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form and you will be contacted ASAP.
Insurance Without Communication Is Like a Car Without Gas
A policy is only as strong as the service behind it. Without communication, even great coverage can feel unreliable. People want real answers, clarity, and an agency that treats them as individuals—not policy numbers.
Responsiveness turns uncertainty into confidence.
Why It Matters in Every City We Serve
From the busy streets of New Orleans to the quiet neighborhoods of Mandeville, from Baton Rouge traffic to the waterfronts of Houma, every community deserves an agency that answers its calls. Life in the Gulf South comes with storms, accidents, property challenges, and countless surprises. When those moments happen, customers need a voice—not a menu.
Good customer service doesn’t eliminate challenges, but it makes navigating them easier.
Final Thoughts
The hidden cost of agencies that don’t return phone calls isn’t small inconvenience—it’s trust lost. And trust is the currency of the insurance world.
Responsiveness builds relationships. Relationships build stability. Stability builds peace of mind.
For a quick quote, you can contact our quote department directly at (504) 441-RATE (7283) or complete the Online Quote Request form and you will be contacted ASAP.
Good customer service begins with something simple: answering the phone. And after 40 years in business across Louisiana and Mississippi, that commitment remains the heart of Dan Burghardt Insurance.
