Janice Higginbotham Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Janice Higginbotham started her career with Herbie Wiles Insurance on October 1, 1974 after being recommended by an employment service that, coincidentally, was located on the second floor of the insurance agency.

“I knew who Herbie was because of his status in town and I knew about the agency because my kids loved seeing the Santa Claus in the front window every Christmas,” says Higginbotham. “We had two small kids at the time and wanted the extra income so I pursued a job with the agency.”

When Higginbotham started her career with Herbie Wiles Insurance there were only 3 employees. She was one of the first in the agency to earn the Accredited Customer Service Representative designation and obtained the 4-40 Customer Representative License when the state first created the requirement.

“The number of people who come in and personally ask for Janice is a testament to her wonderful customer service. She takes the time to build lifelong relationships with clients and provides the patience people need to help them understand insurance,” says Doug Wiles, president of Herbie Wiles Insurance.

Throughout the past 40 years, Janice has worked with more than 10,000 of the agency’s clients and has always had some of the most challenging customers and the largest book of business.

“Customer service hasn’t changed. As an agency, we have always been focused on our customers. Insurance, on the other hand, changes daily. The technology we have now enables us to service people better,” says Higginbotham.

Janice’s career in insurance has provided her with fond memories and funny stories. The most bizarre situation Janice has ever endured was when a client tried to eat a handful of air freshening beads mistaking it for candy.

“If I had it to do over, I would choose a career in insurance again because of the relationships I have developed with my customers. It is a good career because everyone needs insurance and it has been very rewarding to help people during tough situations,” says Higginbotham.

Herbie Wiles Insurance was founded in 1961 and offers a wide range of insurance products including life, health, family, car, property and business. The agency serves more than 8,000 families and businesses in Northeast Florida. Herbie Wiles is an example of leadership and compassion within the greater St. Augustine community. For more information on the services provided by Herbie Wiles Insurance, call 904-829-2201 or visit www.HerbieWiles.com.