Learn More About Justin

How do you determine the right coverage for a client’s specific needs?

When I sit down with a client, my first goal is to really listen. Everyone’s life looks different and maybe they’re raising young kids, buying their first home, or planning for retirement and their insurance needs should reflect that.

I like to start by asking questions about their daily life and what’s most important to them. From there, we walk through potential risks together and figure out what kind of protection would give them the most peace of mind. For example, I recently worked with a young family who had just bought their first house. After talking through their goals, we built a plan that not only covered their home and cars but also made sure their family would be financially secure if something unexpected happened.

At the end of the day, my job isn’t just to quote policies, it’s to make sure my clients feel confident that everything they’ve worked so hard for is protected.

Can you explain a time you helped a client through a difficult claim?

Whole house fires are the worst. I received a VM on my cell phone on Labor Day from a client. All she said was “Hi, this is “client”. it’s horrible, we lost everything.  The house is gone. Can you call me back” When I called her back, she could barely speak. I told her to that I would be there as soon as possible. When I arrived the fire department was just leaving. Clients were devastated and did not know what to do. I instructed them to go get a hotel room for the night, purchase clothes, and get something to eat. This would all be covered. On Tuesday, the adjuster showed up with a check for them to get their essentials together and then we all worked on a plan to rebuild their family’s life back to normal. The process took months, but we all worked together, and everything was taken care of.  

How do you stay up to date with changes in insurance laws and policies, especially here in Michigan? 

The insurance world is always changing, especially in Michigan, where things like auto reform and coverage options can shift from year to year. I make it a priority to stay on top of those updates, so my clients never have to worry about being left behind.

I do that by regularly attending Farm Bureau trainings, industry meetings, and webinars that focus on Michigan-specific changes. I also stay connected with other agents and underwriters to share insights and real-world experiences. That helps me not only understand the new rules but also how they impact families day to day.

When something changes, I take the time to explain it to my clients, no confusing insurance jargon, so they understand how it affects their coverage and what adjustments might make sense. My goal is to make sure they always have the right protection for today’s rules, not last year’s.

What do you think sets you apart from other providers?

What really sets us apart is the personal connection we build with our clients. We don’t treat insurance like a transaction, we treat it like a relationship. When someone walks through our door or calls our office, they’re not just getting a quote; they’re getting a team that genuinely cares about protecting what matters most to them.

I take the time to get to know each client, their family, their goals, and their worries, so we can build a plan that fits their life, not just their policy number. My team and I make sure we’re always available to answer questions, review coverages, or help during a claim. That level of service and personal attention is something you don’t always get with a big online company.

At the end of the day, we want our clients to feel like they’re part of the Justin Goushaw Agency family. When they call, they know who’s on the other end of the line…someone who knows their story and truly has their back.

How do you build long-term relationships with your clients?

For me, building long-term relationships starts with trust and genuine care. When someone becomes a client, I want them to know they’re not just another policy number that they’re part of our agency family. I take the time to really understand their life, their goals, and what they’re working hard to protect.

That relationship doesn’t end after the policy is written. We stay in touch, whether it’s through annual reviews, a quick call to check in, or even a simple birthday or holiday message. My goal is to make sure their coverage continues to fit as their life changes. Whether that’s buying a new home, adding a driver, or welcoming a new baby.

I think people appreciate that consistency and honesty. When they know I’m looking out for them year after year, it builds a level of trust that lasts. And over time, many of my clients become friends, which is one of the best parts of what I do.