Field Insurance Agency

Brian Payne, Agency Principal

In the coastal regions of South and North Carolina, insurance has become increasingly complex. Premiums have risen, carrier appetites have tightened, and non-renewals now arrive in rapid cycles that leave many agencies scrambling to keep up. Homeowners paying increased rates for coverage expect fast answers, clear guidance, and real support. Many agencies, stretched thin or relying on outsourced service, simply cannot meet that level of demand required in today’s environment.

What in-house staffing and service structure supports Field Insurance Agency’s coastal insurance operations?

Field Insurance has done a great job of managing this aspect of operations while continuing their growth initiatives. Since its founding in 1968, it has taken a different approach and built a strong internal team that prioritizes accessibility, efficiency, and expertise. The agency has structured its operations around the needs of today’s coastal consumer. Instead of relying on automated systems, it maintains a staff of more than 40 professionals with dedicated roles across sales, servicing, remarketing, accounting, and policy support. With everything handled in-house and supported by technology, clients receive quick responses, consistent communication, and a clear point of contact.

“Customers today expect answers fast,” says Brian Payne, agency principal. “Email doesn’t close. Consumers want responsiveness, and they want to feel like their needs are being handled by a team that understands the marketplace. That is exactly why we make responsiveness and real expertise part of every interaction.”

How are service demands handled by Field Insurance Agency during carrier guideline changes?

This accessibility becomes even more important when carriers tighten guidelines or announce blocks of non-renewals. Many agencies stumble with sudden spikes in service requests, but Field Insurance Agency’s staffing model allows it to manage these surges without delays. It’s remarketing and service teams are equipped to respond within tight carrier timelines, especially as 30- or 90-day non-renewal notices create urgent consumer needs.

What impact does long-term team experience have on Field Insurance Agency’s coastal risk guidance?

Expertise also plays a central role in the agency’s identity. Many team members have been with Field Insurance Agency for 10, 15, or even 25 years, creating hundreds of years of combined experience navigating coastal risks. Clients often turn to the agency for both coverage and clarity, confident that its guidance reflects real market understanding.

Carrier access is another advantage that sets the agency apart. With direct and wholesale access to roughly 95 percent of the insurers operating in the region, Field Insurance Agency can offer meaningful alternatives at a time when many homeowners feel limited by shrinking market options. When premiums climb or deductibles rise, clients benefit from an agency capable of evaluating solutions across a broad range of carriers rather than a single carrier. This breadth of access also allows the team to tailor solutions based on specific risk profiles, rather than defaulting to generic coverage structures.

One recent example illustrates the impact of this approach. A high-net-worth homeowner came to the agency with a five percent wind-and-hail deductible on a $3 million property, an arrangement that left him facing a $150,000 out-of-pocket requirement before coverage applied. After reviewing the policy, Payne and his team proposed a hurricane-only deductible that significantly improved his protection. The revised structure reduced his exposure for most storm events to $5,000 and lowered his annual premium by nearly $8,000, resulting in better coverage and a meaningful financial benefit.

Results like this are a key reason the agency thrives through relationships. Most new business continues to come from direct referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients.

Alongside this referral-driven momentum, the agency maintains strong visibility in the region through marketing and advertising efforts, reinforcing its long-standing presence in the Carolinas. Over the years, Field Insurance Agency has also earned recognition on national and local stages, including accolades from Insurance Journal, Property & Casualty Companies, Insurance Review, Insurance Business America, and a ten-year streak as “Best of the Beach” a local market nomination of a variety of businesses.

With a skilled team, deep experience, and broad carrier access, Field Insurance Agency delivers clear, timely guidance in a complex market. As coverage underwriting and carrier appetites continue to shift, it gives coastal families confidence and peace of mind throughout their insurance journey.

“I am excited for our team. We continue to learn and adjust to market conditions and clients appreciate that level of expertise” stated Payne.