Kuespert Insurance buys Panhandle Insurance

COEUR d'ALENE - John Goedde began working at Panhandle Insurance Agency in 1979.

Four years later, he bought it. Since, he has been the name and face of one of the area's best-known insurance companies.

"I still have customers that were new to the agency in the '80s," Goedde said.

Which made giving up the daily operations of the business one of his more difficult decisions - even more than some he makes these days as a state senator.

"I'll miss the personal contacts, of course," he said Monday.

Kuespert Insurance Agency, owned by Paul Kuespert, acquired Panhandle Insurance Agency as part of its Coeur d'Alene division.

Kuespert Insurance's Coeur d'Alene office will operate under the Panhandle Insurance Agency name and has moved from its existing office on Best Avenue to a new location at 1410 Lincoln Way, Suite 300.

Owner and founder Paul Kuespert, a 1979 University of Idaho graduate who grew up in Coeur d'Alene, said the move will increase his agency's presence in the area

Kuespert, 56, has more than 30 years experience in the insurance industry, while his wife, Janelle, has 20. Their agency employs 11 and also has offices in Moscow and Spokane Valley and is affiliated with William Eimers agency in St. Maries.

He called the acquisition of Panhandle Insurance Agency a "merger" that will benefit clients through more resources.

Kuespert serves customers in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. It provides, auto, homeowners, life, health, dental, and other coverages. Companies it represents include Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Mutual Insurance, Progressive and Safeco.

"It's a merger of the two, so there's some economics there," Kuespert said. "We bring companies to the table John didn't have."

While the move will take Goedde away from the daily operations of the business, he'll still be involved with Panhandle's city, county and school district contracts.

"He's freed up to specialize in those," Kuespert said. "We're doing the management of the agency."

Goedde said it's become more difficult to spend time on the insurance business when he's in Boise working on legislative issues as a state senator.

He said it was a tough decision to step away from what he has been doing for more than a quarter century. Panhandle Insurance Agency got its start in 1954.

"There's been so much that's happened in the insurance industry since 1983," he said Monday.

He recalled inputting data in their first computer in the office, and "how we thought we were cutting edge."

Today, technology has changed the insurance industry. Representatives must be able to react quickly and relay information instantly to meet clients' needs.

Goedde said he'll still be working with clients on the public entity side, such as cities, counties and fire districts.

Information: 664-5727 or 664-9223