By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Going above and beyond to help people during their time of need isn’t just a catchy phrase at Lake Country Insurance in New York Mills and Verndale—it is a way of life. 

Focusing on everything from home, business, auto, farm and recreational insurance, Lake Country Insurance has transformed into a one-stop shop for insurance throughout the region. 

Lake Country Insurance insures everything from antique shops to liquor stores, cafes to farms, boats and motorcycles to vehicles. The goal, of course, is to provide personalized service to people throughout the region. As an independent insurance company, Lake Country Insurance can provide insurance from a number of companies who all have unique options to fit the needs of just about anyone in the region.

With a number of insurance companies at their disposal, like Prairie Pine and Sverdup Mutual, as well as Auto Owners, North Star, RAM Mutual and Progressive, there is a chance that Lake Country Insurance can save new and existing customers money on their monthly bill.

“If they do have (insurance through Lake Country Insurance) we carry multiple companies so we can always requote and do some price checking in the office,” said Barthel. “There may be other options that we can work with where we can switch companies.”

Barthel said even people who do not currently have insurance through Lake Country Insurance can call the locally owned company to check and see what other options are available for their insurance needs. As an independent insurance company, Lake Country Insurance can shop around for customers to see what insurance company would make the most sense for customers, as opposed to being locked into one company that it can offer to individuals and businesses.

In fact, Barthel said with insurance rates constantly changing, it never hurts to call and review an insurance policy with an agent like those at Lake Country Insurance. 

“With rates changing people can always call in and review their policies,” said Barthel. “We are here five days a week and typically always available to answer calls to deal with claims and payments.”

Lake Country Insurance has deep ties in the greater New York Mills region. 

Barthel’s dad, Randy Stave, began Lake Country Insurance in 1983 in his house. In 1988 Stave merged his agency with Jim Nielsen’s New York Mills-based insurance agency. In 1995 Nielsen retired and Stave became 100 percent owner. Barthel purchased the business from her father approximately two years ago, but potential and existing clients can still expect to see many of the familiar faces they have grown accustomed to seeing over the years. 

In fact, Barthel is still considered the new employee of the company despite working at the insurance agency for nearly two decades. 

“I was telling someone the other day that I am the newbie and I have been here for 18 years,” she said.

That familiarity with customers can pay dividends when faced with an insurance claim or tragic situation. After all, having a person who has been with you for years and knows your individual needs on a more personal level can make a difficult situation that comes with making an insurance claim a bit easier to handle. 

Barthel said she has enjoyed getting to know the clients at Lake Country Insurance through the years and being a part of the greater New York Mills community.

“Getting to know people in the community and being able to help them out and provide that service they can’t get online or through a 1800 number,” said Barthel of what she has enjoyed the most about the insurance industry. “We try to go above and beyond.”

In addition to the NY Mills office, Lake Country Insurance has an office in Verndale. 

For more information about Lake Country Insurance, contact the NY Mills office at (218) 385-3989 and  Verndale at (218) 445-5153.