TRUSTED BY COASTAL FAMILIES & BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.sigsc.com THE RIGHT INSURANCE FOR THE NEXT HURRICANE LISTEN OR WATCH PODCAST ABOUT COASTAL INSURANCE CAROLINA Coastal INSURANCE BEAUFORT’S NEWEST LOCATION FOR COASTAL PROTECTION
2 | www.sigsc.com FAMILY TRADITION MEETS COASTAL PROTECTION FAMILY & FAITH With over 40 years of experience, Schirmer Insurance Group has worked to earn the trust of the Lowcountry. As an independent agency, they have the flexibility to meet the demands of both personal and commercial insurance needs while also representing an array of carriers such as Nationwide Insurance. As lifelong Charlestonians, they have a deep understanding of the community, its needs and the many challenges coastal living can bring. Each client can rest easily with a full understanding of their insurance package while always being prepared for what may come. Family is at the core of Schirmer Insurance Group, ensuring culture is prioritized over policy. The insurance industry can be high-pressure and emotionally demanding, therefore fostering a culture that supports both the personal and professional lives of every individual helps employees return with energy, loyalty and excellence. To promote a healthy work-life balance, the agency emphasizes flexible work schedules, allowing employees to be present in their home lives without sacrificing professional performance. They also provide and promote the use of paid time off (PTO), whether it’s for family events, appointments or taking care of one’s well-being. Family dynamics play heavily into a work-life balance, and one of the most valuable things to ensure emotional wellbeing is giving employees quality time to spend with their families and recharge. Schirmer Insurance Group is also investing in technology to streamline processes and lessen wasted work time, allowing employees to spend more quality time with their families instead. Their focus is on automating tasks, enabling mobile access and offering virtual solutions for meetings and cross-collaboration, all while reducing the commuting time and reinvesting that time into more productive or personal time. Some other methods they’re using to develop workplace sustainability include consistent evaluations, task reassignments and creating focus zones. Time blocking goes hand in hand with the introduction of focus zones to boost efficiency and volume completion while lessening the need for employees to play catch-up. Every employee within Schirmer Insurance Group shares their own commitment to their family and respects each other’s dedication. The culture they’ve cultivated is all about empowering people to thrive both personally and professionally. Alongside their faith in each other, they use their faith in God to ensure stability. By handing the reins to God and letting him lead, they know their path will always be true. God and family come before all. Through this motto, the stability in even the shakiest of sands is more than enough to support them through their journey. As Schirmer Insurance Group expands with the opening of a new location in Beaufort, they will remain true to their core values. To express their commitment to continuous education and innovation, they’re adopting the motto: empower, embrace and excel, ensuring they expand not just as a business, but also as a family-owned and -operated legacy dedicated to serving the Lowcountry for many more years to come. By Brooke Watson
www.sigsc.com | 3 FAMILY TRADITION MEETS COASTAL PROTECTION Schirmer Insurance Group has long been a cornerstone of the Charleston area, providing insurance expertise and exceptional service to the community. Founded and nurtured by Sam and Gina Schirmer, the agency boasts a rich history steeped in family values and a passion for helping others. In 1983, Sam began his career as a Nationwide captive agent, bringing a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the field. In 2011, Gina, alongside their eldest son Sass, launched Schirmer Insurance Group as an independent agency, broadening the range of insurance providers they could offer to clients. By 2020, these two ventures merged, creating a robust, fully independent agency that represents Nationwide as well as numerous other carriers. This strategic evolution has allowed Schirmer Insurance Group to serve both personal and commercial insurance needs with unparalleled flexibility and expertise. Grayson Schirmer Jones, a key member of the Schirmer Insurance Group team, joined the agency in 2015. With her specialized knowledge of coastal properties and her role as client relations manager, Grayson is an integral part of the leadership team. Her problem-solving skills and unwavering commitment to finding resolutions have made her an invaluable asset to the company. Expansion has always been a priority for Schirmer Insurance Group. The team is actively seeking talented, driven individuals to join their ranks, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the industry. Continuous training is emphasized to maintain a strong knowledge base and deliver the best possible advice to clients. A significant milestone is on the horizon with the opening of a new location in Beaufort in January 2025, further extending their reach and ability to serve the community. What sets Schirmer Insurance Group apart is their deep understanding of coastal insurance challenges. As lifelong Charlestonians, the Schirmer team has a unique perspective on the specific needs of their local community. With 41 years of coastal experience, they are wellequipped to provide tailored solutions. Their approach is consultative, ensuring clients fully understand the coverage recommendations and decisions they make. At the heart of Schirmer Insurance Group is a commitment to working for the community. Each client is evaluated individually, with coverage recommendations carefully crafted to meet specific needs. The team’s genuine care for helping people drives their daily pursuit of excellence. This dedication has earned them the honor of being voted into the “Best Of ” club, a recognition that the team finds both humbling and motivating. Being acknowledged by the community inspires them to continually improve and strive for even greater levels of service. Giving back to the community is a cornerstone of Schirmer Insurance Group’s philosophy. Over the years, they have supported a variety of local organizations through fundraising, volunteering and board service. In 2024, the agency celebrated its 40th anniversary with the “40 for 40” initiative, committing to 40 acts of community service — a goal they exceeded with 44 completed projects. This remarkable effort highlights their gratitude and dedication to the tri-county area, reinforcing their role as a vital part of a generous and thriving community. As Schirmer Insurance Group looks to the future, their legacy of service, innovation and community involvement remains stronger than ever. With a dedicated team, a growing presence and an unwavering commitment to excellence, the agency continues to set the standard for insurance providers in the Charleston area. SCHIRMER INSURANCE GROUP By Cari Lawson
4 | www.sigsc.com FAMILY TRADITION MEETS COASTAL PROTECTION A FAMILY IN LOVE AND BUSINESS Schirmer Insurance Group is family owned and operated by Sam and Gina Schirmer, leading a business that understands just how important family is in every sense of the word. Gina and Sam Schirmer both grew up in families that worked hard in running their own businesses, a shrimp boat captain and insurance agent, respectably. It was no surprise that their children were drawn to similar situations. What was a surprise was learning the daily maintenance required to keep both business and family dynamics separate and healthy. Here is their story as told by Gina Schirmer: As parents, it is our job to teach our children and nurture them, to give out advice, guidance, and love. To help them take those crucial steps forward and support them when they stumble. It has made watching their post-college lives take shape that much more rewarding, especially when we are watching center stage. My grandfather started an insurance business in Greenville in 1953. I often found myself filing and running the front desk when I was on vacation from school. It was when I met Sam in college, and we were married, that my grandfather encouraged Sam and I to open an insurance agency of our own in Mount Pleasant in 1983. You can imagine what it is like when our family all gets together during the holidays. The conversation can easily shift to what we love to do but we try hard to separate out work talk and family time. Our son, Sass, joined the family business shortly after college in 2011, and we opened a location in Carnes Crossroads. Our daughter Grayson always worked at our agency during summer vacations during high school but committed full time after college as well. Grayson also has her own equestrian business called Top Call Therapy. Our youngest son, Hawkins Schirmer, has his own forestry services business, Schirmer Forestry Services, that he opened in 2018. Working with each of them from business planning, setting goals and objectives and creating their financing has been an exciting journey and has deepened our respect for each other. Raising them with Christian morals and values have truly enhanced the business ethics that we work hard to maintain within this family entrepreneurship. Leadership is also a family and business element that must be executed with patience and smiles. Switching between the parent role and the business leadership role can be most challenging. I often times will physically, with a swoosh of my hand at the brow of an imaginary hat, state, “I am switching now to my Mom hat.” As ridiculous as it may seem, it does provide an action of change and it helps to steer our comments and actions in the right direction. It is extremely inspirational to both Sam and I to now watch our children push forward as business owners and parents, and to take on leadership roles of their own, developing the drive and determination that we worked hard to instill in them at an early age. As long as they are living by the morals, values and ethics that are important to all of us, they will be successful. Blending it all together can be challenging and takes a lot of love and patience from us all but we focus on “our” motto at home and at work – “Always put God and family first.”
www.sigsc.com | 5 FAMILY TRADITION MEETS COASTAL PROTECTION SCHIRMER INSURANCE GROUP’S BEGINNINGS For Gina Schirmer, owning and operating an insurance agency is second nature. She is CEO of Schirmer Insurance Group LLC, in Mount Pleasant. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Schirmer comes from a family insurance background that exceeds 62 years, beginning with her grandfather, Gene Adams, a 40-year Nationwide Insurance agent. A high school file clerk and receptionist in the insurance office, she said with satisfaction, “The summer job was always secure.” In 1983, after graduating from Winthrop University with a degree in Foreign Politics and a minor in Spanish, she married Mount Pleasant native Sam Schirmer. “My grandfather and my grandmother baited Sam just enough to spark his interest in insurance and encouraged him to interview with Nationwide, and that was the beginning of our Lowcountry insurance life together,” she said. After five years in commercial banking and real estate, she worked privately doing interior design and renovation projects while assisting her husband with building and growing Sam Schirmer Nationwide Insurance Agency – and setting about raising a family. “The three children added the icing to the cake, bringing major joy and consistent activity to our lives,” she said. Schirmer has engaged in every aspect of parenting, from teaching academics to coaching sports. She also acted as Booster Club president, PTA president and board member for the Charleston Collegiate School for a number of years. In 2009, when the couple’s youngest child started high school, Schirmer returned to the insurance business fulltime and with vigor. She began the foundation work to open an independent insurance agency, and, in 2011 partnered with her oldest son, Sass Schirmer, to open the doors of Schirmer Insurance Group. Today, Schirmer Insurance Group focuses on the individual insurance needs of its clients and finds solid solutions based on the planned, as well as the unexpected. The agency offers a variety of carrier options and a full line of insurance products. They gladly share their knowledge of personal and commercial property insurance guidelines within the coastal region. Since its inception in 2009, the company has doubled in size, according to Gina Schirmer, and obtained a “full fledged” sales team, marketing team and human resources department. Finding the right fit within the company is a passion for Schirmer, as she values happy employees who will keep the clients happy as well. “We are very service and relationship focused,” she explained. “We strive to have an environment that stays on top of sales and service.” One way the company keeps that service promise is through a new digital platform that sends automated emails to clients and prospective clients. As for sales, the company has achieved five acquisitions since 2009 and maintains an “internal structure that allows for growth,” according to Schirmer. Her daughter, Grayson, who obtained her insurance license in January 2016, recently came on board for marketing and social media. “We’re all about relationships,” Gina Schirmer emphasized. “We encourage everyone on the team to engage with the community and give back. We want our clients to feel satisfied after speaking with us.” Gina Schirmer
6 | www.sigsc.com FAMILY TRADITION MEETS COASTAL PROTECTION For Gina Schrimer, owning and operating an insurance agency is second nature. She is CEO of Schirmer Insurance Group LLC, located at 1312 Bowman Road in Mount Pleasant. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Gina comes from a family insurance background that exceeds 62 years, beginning with her grandfather, Gene Adams, a 40-year Nationwide Insurance agent. A high school file clerk and receptionist in the insurance office, she said with satisfaction, “The summer job was always secure.” In 1983, after graduating from Winthrop University with a degree in Foreign Politics and a minor in Spanish, Gina married Mount Pleasant native Sam Schirmer. “My grandfather and my grandmother baited Sam just enough to spark his interest in insurance and encouraged him to interview with Nationwide, and that was the beginning of our Lowcountry insurance life together,” she said. After five years in commercial banking and real estate, she worked privately doing interior design and renovation projects while assisting her husband with building and growing Sam Schirmer Nationwide Insurance Agency – and setting about raising a family. “The three children added the icing to the cake, bringing major joy and consistent activity to our lives,” she said. Gina has engaged in every aspect of parenting, from teaching academics to coaching sports. She also acted as Booster Club president, PTA president and board member for the Charleston Collegiate School for a number of years. By John Torsiello FOCUSED ON INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE NEEDS & FINDING SOLID SOLUTIONS
www.sigsc.com | 7 FAMILY TRADITION MEETS COASTAL PROTECTION In 2009, when the couple’s youngest child started high school, Gina returned to the insurance business fulltime and with vigor. She began the foundation work to open an independent insurance agency, and, in 2011, partnered with her oldest son, Sass Schirmer, to open the doors of Schirmer Insurance Group. As a graduate of the University of Alabama, and having gone through the devastating tornado of 2011, Sass Schirmer expressed an interest in the insurance industry. “When he returned home after assisting with several weeks of the recovery in Tuscaloosa, he mentioned how much he had truly enjoyed helping people,” Gina remembered. “Over those few weeks, he realized that the insurance business would certainly allow him to do just that. Our hope is that, after college and a little experience on their own, our daughter and other son will find their way and decide to join us for this family affair.” Schirmer Insurance Group focuses on the individual insurance needs of its clients and finds solid solutions based on the planned, as well as the unexpected. The agency offers a variety of carrier options and a full line of insurance products. They gladly share their knowledge of personal and commercial property insurance guidelines within the coastal region. “All of us always have room for improvement and should embrace the change that life places before us,” said Gina. “Business development allows me to evaluate those changes, develop a plan of action and put that plan into motion. I thoroughly enjoy the gratification I get from interacting with our clients and our carrier partners and engaging with our dynamic team of insurance professionals. And I take great pride in creating and developing. I do my very best to stay focused on motivation and enthusiasm, and I let my faith do a lot of the work.” AN ACT OF NATURE WE SHALL NEVER FORGET SEPTEMBER 1989 Sponsored by www.HugoMagazine.com ACCESS HISTORY HERE Carolina Coastal Insurance Magazine is published by Explore Coastal Carolina LLC. For more info: Bill.Macchio@gmail.com | 843-345-7012
NEW LOCATION! BEAUFORT 3669 Trask Parkway Beaufort, SC 29906 Schirmer Insurance Group, LLC | 843-881-4707 1312 Bowman Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Click to Watch or listen as Sam Schirmer talks about Insurance along the Carolina Coast.
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