You know that feeling when you call customer service and actually get someone who seems to care? That's rare these days. But it's exactly what Kayla Blount and her team at 317 Insurance Advisors in Oklahoma deliver every single day.
Most insurance conversations tend to be pretty dry—lots of talk about coverage limits and premium calculations. But within five minutes of our chat, I realized I was talking to someone who's flipped the script on how insurance should work. She's built an entire agency around a simple idea: what if we actually treated clients like, well, people?
317 Insurance Advisors might only be two years old, but its roots run deep. Blount’s 13-person team brings more than 80 years of combined experience to the table, with seven producers who know their stuff. The agency's ethos underpins a belief that operating with integrity and genuine care will naturally lead to positive outcomes. "We operate in the way that everything will be okay," Blount explained. It's not just a motto hanging on the wall. It's how they actually do business.
Why kindness isn't just nice—it's smart business
What truly sets 317 Insurance Advisors apart is their unwavering dedication to kindness and grace in every client interaction. In an industry that can feel cold and complicated, her team makes it their mission to be different. "When someone calls us with a problem they needed fixed yesterday, we're gracious," she explained. "The person calling at 3 PM gets the same treatment as the person calling at 8 AM."
But it goes deeper than just being polite. They actually take time to help clients understand what they're buying. "Just because everyone needs insurance doesn't mean they understand it," Blount pointed out. And in Oklahoma—where Blount jokes they have "everything but volcanoes"—understanding your coverage isn't optional.
Their goal is to empower clients to be "good stewards of their policy and why the premium is the way it is." No more signing papers you don't understand.
Building a legacy of giving back
Beyond the daily grind of policies and premiums, 317 Insurance Advisors is deeply woven into the fabric of their community. Their commitment to philanthropy is a source of immense pride.
During this last holiday season, they adopted foster children through "Citizens Caring for Children" to make sure these kids had a memorable Christmas. Their compassion extends to the animal kingdom as well; Blount has what she refers to as a "mini zoo" at home and the whole team supports local animal shelters and pet adoptions. Many team members are active in their churches as well, channeling their giving through those communities. It all comes back to their simple philosophy: "Be a good human and make good choices."
This mantra translates into their daily interactions, “When clients call in, we want them to feel relieved and better after talking to us,” Blount says. “If we do it in a way that's kind and gracious, they’ll leave with a positive experience."
Blount has noticed something we've all probably felt: people aren't always as kind as they used to be. She thinks COVID changed how we interact with each other, and social media hasn't helped, either. "You wouldn't say those things in person that people post online," she observed; the anonymity of online interactions has contributed to a perceived decline in civility.
But Blount refuses to let that change how her team operates. "Even though people may not treat us the way we would treat them, we need to make sure we treat them with kindness," she said firmly. This isn't about being pushovers. It's about being professionals who happen to care about people. "We want to be an insurance agency that takes care of everyone." 
Growing by building relationships
Oklahoma's growing popularity as a destination for migration means lots of first-time homebuyers who need to learn the ropes. "Those are clients you want to set a good foundation for how they understand their insurance," Blount explained, emphasizing the importance of education from the outset. Their work with military families, who also frequently relocate, also means catering to a clientele with diverse needs and varying levels of insurance familiarity.
Rather than casting a wide net with expensive marketing campaigns, Blount focuses on being "thoroughly plugged into community networks," especially within the real estate sector. 317 Insurance Advisors has offices strategically placed in real estate markets because, as she explains, "the housing market is what a lot of our business is based on." Referrals form the backbone of their growth, a testament to the strong relationships they cultivate.
Blount shared an anecdote about a team member, whose mother is a teacher, effectively connecting with teachers by coming to the school lounge and making it convenient for them to engage. "I can chase 50 people, or set up 50 people chasing me," Blount said with a laugh. Being present and accessible makes all the difference.
Technology: helpful but not everything
While embracing technology for efficiency, Blount admits she was resistant to going digital at first, but even a digital notebook has been transformative. "It changed my life," she now says about switching to digital tools. The efficiency gains are real—automated follow-ups save time and keep clients informed.
Technology's ability to streamline processes and create efficiencies is undeniable. "Automatic touches with clients, email or text triggered after an event can save valuable time.” But she's honest about the downsides too. "Automation is great but makes things not as personable," she reflected. While technology offers speed and data, Blount cautions that “if things aren't right, it is an act of congress to get it changed."
Ultimately, the agency views technology as more positive than negative, making them more efficient, but they never let it replace the human connection that makes them special.
Quality over quantity
The pandemic fundamentally changed Blount’s approach to carrier relationships. Before, she wanted to work with as many carriers as possible. Now, the focus is on depth over breadth.
"We want to make sure we have very strong partnerships, relationships where we can pick up the phone and make a difference, even with a small tool belt," she explained. This approach means better service for clients because they get dedicated attention from their carrier partners.
The most important thing Kayla wants clients to understand? "No one size fits all."
This simple truth underpins 317’s personalized approach. "I live in the country and I can’t throw a stone at my closest neighbor’s house. They won't need the same thing as someone in a neighborhood," she explained. She emphasizes the critical role of a strong relationship with an agent, who can explain nuances that online quotes often miss.
Blount also stresses the importance of understanding the implications of life changes on insurance needs. When clients have teenagers starting to drive, for example, the agents make sure they have detailed conversations about comprehensive coverage and even an umbrella policy to mitigate the increased risk. The conversation around responsible driving becomes an opportune moment to review overall protection. It's not just about selling more insurance—it's about protecting families from financial disaster.
The reality of rising costs
Like everyone in insurance, Blount is dealing with "tremendous price increases in the cost of coverage." It's a tough conversation to have with clients, but she believes in being straight with them about why it's happening—inflation, higher construction costs, and increased claims are all factors.
Deductibles are becoming a bigger deal too. In Oklahoma, wind and hail deductibles average around $6,000, and some carriers are pushing them even higher. Blount warns that high deductibles can be "bad news" if clients aren't prepared to pay them. Some people might end up with a deductible that nearly covers the cost of a new roof. Blount believes thorough explanation is paramount to avoid future disputes and even lawsuits.
Blount thinks we've gotten confused about what insurance is supposed to do. It started as protection against catastrophic events like fires, but it's evolved into coverage for everything from stolen phones to dog bites. While comprehensive coverage is great, she worries this expansion has "trained people to think that they don't have to be a responsible person; it doesn't matter, you can turn it into insurance." She'd like to see insurance return to being viewed as a "true catastrophic policy" rather than a "maintenance policy" for everyday problems.
Looking ahead
Blount sees big changes on the horizon. Premiums will keep rising, deductibles will get higher, particularly in states prone to severe weather like Oklahoma, and homeowners will need to be more financially prepared. But she also sees opportunity.
She envisions a future where insurance becomes more "a la carte", allowing individuals to "pick and choose more coverage" based on their specific needs. This would put more responsibility on homeowners but also give them more control and potentially lower costs.
It's a vision that aligns with her philosophy of empowerment through understanding. When people know what they're buying and why, they make better decisions for themselves and their families.
In an industry that can feel impersonal and confusing, 317 Insurance Advisors are succeeding by doing something surprisingly simple: treating people well and helping them understand what they're buying. It's not revolutionary; it's just good business done by good people. But in today's world, that might be revolutionary after all.
