Debunking Rundles, insurance broker is living his dream.

• Author: Sampson, Jim
• Position: Readers Respond - Letter to the Editor

I just finished reading your article "Insuring what's fair" (Jeff Rundles) in the October issue of ColoradoBiz magazine. It stirred enough emotion in me to write.

I have been in the insurance industry now for six years. I started a year or so out of college. I am writing because I completely disagree with your representation of the people in the industry.

You are correct when you say that not many people in this industry planned or dreamed of being in insurance. Hell, when I was in college, I really didn't even know what insurance was, let alone having any desire to sell it.

However, you go too far when you say, "It's not like we're dealing with people who have a passion for what they do. Every insurance guy out there couldn't get the job he really wanted."

That comment suggests: a) that I do not know what I am doing, and b) that I don't care. You do a disservice to my clients and me personally, by making such a suggestion.

I studied in college to be in public relations. So my first job out of college was to work for a small firm in Arizona, hundreds of miles away from my family. I made no money, lived a long ways from my friends, and I was miserable. But hey, I was living my dream!

When I finally had the courage to recognize this dream wasn't what it was cracked up to be, I thought it would be cool to work for a nonprofit. So I took a job with Special Olympics. I made no money. I worked long hours. I spent no time with friends because I was either at work, or I didn't have the cash to join them. But hey, I was doing something good and being a better person!

Then a friend called and told me he had an opening at his insurance company. So I decided to try it. I have worked in underwriting, claims and related...