“There’s no try; there’s only do.”

This is Erik Skar’s motto. Erik Skar is a young professional (literally, being on the Board of the Young Professionals Society here in Springfield, MA). He is indeed living the American dream. He is a happily married father of two working in the industry that he was surrounded by for years as a child. His father, having held the position of CFO of Mass Mutual for 8 years, also started a program called LifeBridge; a life insurance program available to those in less fortunate positions that poses no cost to them yet helps families secure their future. We even had one of our members Suzanne McElroy from Home Instead Senior Care share with us that while in Nebraska at a business convention, they discussed this very program. A number of adventures and many awards later, (most recently awarded nationally from Mass Mutual for adding 100 clients to MM) we find Erik in the spotlight of our Pioneer Valley Professionals luncheon Friday, February 12th at the Hofbrauhaus, as an Life Insurance Professional from Mass Mutual.

Erik Skar managed to make a relatively mundane subject very interesting. His life revolves around life; pun intended. We discussed the differences between term and whole life insurance policies and the benefits of both, well, in his opinion the only benefit from term is he gets paid. He describes term as “instant financial failure”. Statistics have only 2% of the population actually dying before the age of 65. Erik fully recommends whole life if you are looking for insurance and here’s why; it is more of an investment than a temporary band-aid to an inevitable problem, we’re all going to pass onto the spirit world eventually. He finds that this is a smarter way to accumulate cash, especially in this economy with the interest rates being what they are. He finds this vehicle being used by smart and savvy people. The earlier you can start the better; but it’s never too late!

Erik gives a big cheshire cat grin as he describes his position as barely one step above a car salesman. He knows that this is not the type of subject that folks really enjoy talking about. It seems to be that necessary evil we know we need, someplace in the background, yet Erik describes how you can get your insurance policy to work for you; and after so many years, how it not only pays for itself, it can actually give you that cushion you need when the water heater goes or the kids are about to begin college. He is not the typical insurance salesman. Erik will sit down with you to fully discuss your needs. The initial consult is no charge, and Erik will discuss what he would recommend based on hearing both your immediate and future needs for yourself and your family. Each policy is personal to you and you alone.

Involved in everything from the Chicopee Chamber to Junior Achievement, just to name a couple; yet I cannot go without mentioning his appearance on Survivor in Norway. That is Erik… a survivor; living life to its fullest, and helping his clients to do the same. Erik jam packs his days to be sure that he is not missing anything. He will also be sure that you too won’t miss anything regarding the security of your family’s future once you are no longer there to keep things in order.

Erik finds that the younger generation leans more towards term life and the older generations lean more towards whole life. A lot of the time he will come in to talk to folks after a not so reputable agent has “muddied the waters”. So, not only is this a tough subject to broach, Erik now has to deal with backtracking from someone elses mis-information. A challenge: yes, but Erik does it with ease. Erik is extremely knowledgeable in what he does. He can answer any question you may have regarding insurance. If by chance he does not know the answer to something you have asked, he says there are more folks that know even more than he does at MM that he is able to tap for answers. If you can imagine that!

Although he began his professional career in the psychology field, interestingly enough, he found it was truly not for him. He moved to the Insurance Industry 6 years ago, finding his niche. “It’s fun when you finally find what you are born to do.” He feels very fortunate to be where he is in life. Insurance is in his blood. Erik will do you right.

If you are interested in discussing insurance options with Erik, be sure to give him a call at: 413-250-1883 or email: eskar@ finsvcs.com

Thank you for taking the time.

Posted by: Mary-Anne DiBlasio, Founder, Pioneer Valley Professionals - Western Mass Wellness, llc.