Agent Spotlight: Melissa Grim, Pini Insurance

Hear how our agents started their business. 

Every independent agent has a unique story: Why they started, who they’re doing it for, and what they hope to achieve. But the road to success isn’t always easy. We understand the challenges that come with being an agent, whether trying to stay competitive in the field, growing their portfolio or serving the community—Kemper Auto is here to help.

Our newest agent spotlight series uncovers how our agents started in the world of insurance, the bumps in the road they faced, and how Kemper Auto was able to help steer them toward the right direction. We spoke with Melissa Grimm, agency owner of Pini Insurance, about her background and relationship with Kemper Auto.

What brought you into the insurance world?

Grimm started in the auto insurance industry back in high school when she partnered with an insurance carrier doing administrative work. It was there that Grimm realized she loved that she was able to connect with customers, build a relationship with them, and help them understand their coverage to make sure that they felt they were properly covered during the event of a loss.

“From that job in high school, I felt the connection to help others and [decided to] start a business of my own,” said Grimm. “I love that I'm able to connect with customers and build relationships that help me [better] connect with them. To make sure that customers feel confident in what they're purchasing, to build that trust with us, and to make sure that they're fully aware of the coverage they're purchasing.”

What were your goals for your business?

Gimm’s goal was clear from the start: Build a business that will make a difference in her community.

“I truly believe that if you give back, more comes to you,” Grimm explained. “I wanted to create a business that helps people feel properly insured and confident in their agent, while giving back to the community that supports us.”

Through social media and relationship-building, Grimm continues to strengthen her connection with customers and her community, building trust one policy at a time.

How was Kemper Auto able to help you accelerate your success?

For Grimm, partnering with Kemper Auto has been an important part of her agency’s growth.

Kemper Auto provides agents like Grimm with tools and training that go beyond product knowledge. From prerecorded training sessions to detailed product PDFs and sales resources, these tools empower agents to build confidence and serve customers better.

Grimm especially values the sales superpower training, which she says helped her and her team sharpen their professional sales techniques.

Beyond training, Kemper Auto Commercial’s easy-to-use quoting portal has also become one of her favorite tools.

“Their commercial auto quoting system is incredibly user-friendly,” Grimm said. “It’s fast, efficient, and provides accurate pricing with no back and forth. Plus, their rates are competitive, so our customers get great coverage without breaking the bank.”

The relationship goes beyond technology. Grimm emphasized how approachable and responsive the Kemper Auto team is. “If we ever have questions, we can confidently pick up the phone and they will walk us through it without hesitation. That level of support makes a big difference.”

Grimm also uses Kemper’s social media resources and marketing materials to stay active online, sharing educational content and updates with customers. “Being able to pull content from the portal helps us provide valuable information to customers and stay consistent on social media. It makes our job easier and helps us build credibility.”

What advice do you have for other agents in the industry?

For those just starting out, Grimm offers words of encouragement and wisdom from experience. “If you’re new to the insurance industry, my number one piece of advice is: Don’t give up. It’s not easy, but if I can do it, you can too. Keep learning, keep growing, and use all the information available to you.”

She stresses the importance of building relationships with carriers that truly support their agents. “Reach out to the companies you work with. They’re there to help. If you don’t already have a relationship with Kemper Auto, I highly recommend connecting with them. They’ve been a huge part of our growth and success.”

Are you an independent agent interested in getting appointed with Kemper Auto? Take the first step by filling out this application.

Kemper Auto is currently appointing established agencies to write new business in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas.