When Neil Henderson and Emmy Coram decided to open Henderson Insurances in February 1996 with a US $15,000 investment, their goal was a simple one: To help bring stability to the industry and meet the insurance needs of clients the best way they could. As they rewind the clock in history, they are confident they have achieved their objectives and continue to do so today.
When the company opened its first office above Carl and Sons Bakery on Walter Nisbeth Road, it had just two employees and a big goal to make a positive impact on the industry: the staff comprised Henderson, who had extensive experience, and Roy Kerdijk, who fuelled the company’s operations.
Now the Finance Manager, Coram recalls the market being “disorganised” during the initial days as many persons concluded policies with people they knew personally and just wanted to give them some business. “Today the market has evolved to a level where people are more serious about getting the right policy for their money and good service to go with it. Unlike the 90s where people had steady jobs and multiple incomes, today they are keener on spending their dollar wisely.”
Henderson said the desire to open the company stemmed from the dissatisfaction from the insured public after Hurricane Luis in 1995. He said this was a clear signal that the landscape of the industry needed to drastically change and he was convinced as a young professional that he could influence change for better.
Coram said her business partner had “a very good reputation” and track-record in the industry so it was an easy choice to use his last-name – Henderson – for the business, as this was also marketable. She vividly recalls the first client being Rosette Hunt-Vlaun, who was presented with a gift and received special recognition at one of Henderson’s earlier anniversaries.
Henderson grew its clientele base over the years through commitment and discipline. “We have stayed true to our motto: ‘Dedicated to meeting the needs of the insured’ from day one. Additionally, Neil’s efforts on the educational front gave clients a measuring stick to engage the market and demand the best service. His efforts to establish St. Maarten Insurance Brokers Association (SIBA) in 1998 were a major value for all agents/brokers that took their business seriously.”
She said Henderson founded SIBA at a time when the smart thing to do seemed dedicating 100 per cent of his time in growing Henderson Insurances. “He, however, gave 100 per cent to SIBA and 100 per cent to Henderson Insurances, which in retrospect benefitted the entire industry as today all brokers and agents enjoy the benefits of good game rules to grow and maintain their business, a value those before the introduction of the Landsverordening Assurantie Bemiddelings Bedrijf (LABB) in 2003 did not have.”
As the company grew, it relocated to an office above Island Finance on Walter Nisbeth Road and on June 1, 2007, moved to its current head office at Johan Vermeer Street #7 in the Amsterdam Shopping Centre in Madame Estate. It also has a branch office at Laguna View Building on Welfare Road in Cole Bay (above FirstCaribbean International Bank).
Today, the company boasts a staff of 14 and four associates (sub-agents). Services include offering advice and tailor-made solutions as a personal, commercial and industrial risk-broker for all types of policies. It also consults in the area of risk-management for companies and private persons with multiple properties as well as advises entrepreneurs who are entering the market with a not-so-familiar (risk) type of business for which coverage is too expensive locally and would require Henderson to canvass the international market for cost-savings and realistic policy conditions.
As Henderson Insurances celebrates its 20th year operating in St. Maarten, it takes its hat off to all businesses and individuals that have supported its efforts over the years, those who have brushed shoulders with it, and those who have remained with it through thick and thin.
Henderson Insurances hopes to continue serving St. Maarten for many more decades to come.
