Featured New York Life Insurance Agent: Bill Kimbrough

Featured Agent:
Bill Kimbrough

• New York Life Agent for: 20 years
• Has had an annual life insurance award named after him
• A survivor of serious illness, he truly understands the value of having the right insurance protection

When New York Life Insurance Company Agent Bill Kimbrough talks to prospects about buying life insurance, he isn’t shy about revealing the details of his own life. Kimbrough, now 64, was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease right after he started as a New York Life agent in 1987.

“My story gives clients an added sense of urgency about getting the right insurance protection,” he says.

Kimbrough didn’t have any insurance at the time that he signed on with the New York Life Central Georgia G.O. in Macon, and had no idea that he was ill. But he was told that in order to sell life insurance, he had to have some of his own, so he applied and promptly flunked the physical. Apparently, his kidneys were failing.

Poor health notwithstanding, Kimbrough made his first sale six weeks later: a life insurance policy with an $11 monthly premium. It would take several months before more sales picked up, but pick up they did.

“My illness gave my business a deeper meaning for me. It’s important for me to be in a profession where I can make a person’s life better in the darkest time.”

For the next eight years, Kimbrough’s association with local professional and community organizations, like the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce helped to develop his book of business. He also became active in a church where he serves as a trustee. “I find many of my new clients through contacts at church or from one of the business organizations I belong to,” he says. “I really enjoy being involved, and helping my community.”

Then, Kimbrough’s health took a turn for the worse. He experienced total kidney failure in 1995 and started a grueling regimen of dialysis treatment three times a week. Nonetheless, after cutting back his weekly work schedule from 45 to 25 hours, he managed to maintain a successful business and qualify for a New York Life sales incentive program that year. Kimbrough credits his wife, Carol, who serves as the business manager of the Valdosta, Ga. sales office where he works, for helping him in the tough times. “When you go through a serious illness like this, you realize just how precious life is and how important your family can be,” he says. He also adds that he had plenty of “spiritual help along the way.”

“My illness gave my business a deeper meaning for me. It’s important for me to be in a profession where I can make a person’s life better in the darkest time,” he says.

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