Andrew McGee spends his leisure time cycling and playing golf. When he's not, you'll find him at the family business, R McGee Insurance Brokers on Maesteg's Commercial Street.
THE LAST WORD
How long has your business been in Maesteg?
My father, Robert McGee, started the business here in Maesteg over forty years ago. We've been in this location for twenty-six years.
How's business?
Business is good. We have a lot of customers who just prefer dealing with these matters face to face. I think people are shopping around more so we're finding customers who used to buy online returning to local brokers, and the truth is we can be competitive and we can give the customer the right advice they need. There's no better service than face to face.
Where do customers come from?
Bridgend, Port Talbot and Maesteg mainly but at least 40% of our customers are from outside the area including the Valleys and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Do you live locally?
Maesteg, born and bred. I live in Cwrt Coed Parc in Maesteg.
What do you do when you're not working?
I play golf at Maesteg Golf Club and I love cycling - at least twice a week. They're both good ways to get away from the business and clear the head. I'm also a season ticket holder at Cardiff City Football Club. I support the Welsh football team too and get along to matches when I can.
Where's your favourite place to eat?
Nowhere in particular. I like Italian and curry too. There are some good pubs around the area for Sunday lunch but I'm pretty easy-going.
Favourite place in the Valleys?
Afan Argoed is fantastic. The scenery we have around us is stunning. I think we take it for granted. I love cycling around Afan Argoed and also The Darren here in Maesteg. Porthcawl is lovely too. My wife and I enjoy long walks there along the coastal path. We also like Skaer beach - it's very special.
What types of insurance products do you offer?
Home insurance, motor insurance, travel insurance - we're competitive on those certainly. We also have a healthy commercial client base. We can provide public liability insurance, fleet policies, shops and commercial combined.
We're doing more with landlords these days too - because properties can be empty for a while, landlords need to know they have the right cover. I think we're successful in this sector because of the quality of advice and we can genuinely save customers money; we have forty years' experience after all.
What benefits do you offer?
When you buy an insurance policy you only see a piece of paper. It's only when you claim you realise what you've actually bought. That's the problem with online. It's not really tailored to your needs. If you buy off the web, you have to deal with the claim - buy through us and we deal with the insurer on your behalf. We're also a member of Countrywide Network, which means we have access to preferential rates with certain insurers. This makes us extremely competitive, and our hands-on approach means a lot less stress for customers choosing a policy and especially if they have to claim.
Are you active in the community?
Yes, we sponsor a local school rugby team and a Sunday League football team. We do what we can. I think if you're in business, you have a duty to support the community and, as a local business, it's good if the community supports us.
What are your hopes for the future?
We have investment from large retailers coming into the area but the character, the charm that Maesteg has, comes from the independent retailers - so I'd like to see more support from the people of the area towards those. We have a beautiful town - it has a lot going for it; lots of free parking and there's still that sense of community here.
