When you’re choosing an insurance provider, you’re not just picking a policy — you’re choosing a partner in protection. Whether it’s your home, car, business, or health, the right coverage can mean everything when the unexpected happens.
So how do you decide between a national brand and a local insurance agency like Hicks Insurance Group, right here in Mokena, IL?
Let’s take a closer look at how going local brings you smarter solutions, better service, and stronger peace of mind — with insights straight from Jerry Hicks himself, founder of Hicks Insurance Group.
When you’re choosing between a national chain and a local insurance agency like Hicks Insurance Group, the real difference goes beyond just price or convenience. It’s about the depth of service, community knowledge, and the ongoing relationships you build with people who live where you live and understand the risks unique to this area.
Here’s a breakdown of what truly sets Hicks Insurance apart from the larger corporate players:
Living in the Chicagoland area — especially in and around Mokena — means facing distinct challenges when it comes to protecting your home, car, and business. National providers may offer standard policies, but they often overlook the regional issues that can lead to major headaches down the road.
From heavy winds and hail to snowmelt flooding basements and backups during storm season, Hicks Insurance proactively addresses these concerns with coverage solutions tailored to our specific climate. That includes:
Hicks agents don’t just quote policies — they advise you based on real trends happening in your own zip code.
Life doesn’t stay the same — and neither should your insurance. Whether you’ve renovated your home, added a teen driver, changed careers, or bought new equipment for your small business, your coverage needs to evolve with you.
At Hicks Insurance, every policyholder receives an annual review. It’s a chance to:
This proactive approach ensures you’re never paying for unnecessary coverage or missing out on protection you should have had.
One of the hidden advantages of working with a local agency is how much more in tune they are with state and local regulations. Insurance laws in Illinois are always changing — from minimum coverage limits to auto policy requirements and beyond.
Hicks Insurance stays current by completing continuing education and ethics training every two years, plus regular updates from the carriers they partner with. That means you can trust that your policies aren’t just compliant — they’re optimized for today’s standards.
At a national agency, your call might go to whoever is available. With Hicks, you’re assigned a service representative who learns your needs and stays with you long-term. That kind of consistency fosters trust and makes it easier to spot when something in your policy should be updated.
Clients often share life updates or concerns that help the team uncover better coverage options or savings opportunities they didn’t know existed.
“He was about to start researching different agencies, but because of that post and the reviews, he called us right away. We quoted across 15+ companies and found him a great deal. It saved him hours of effort — and a ton of money.”
— Jerry Hicks, Hicks Insurance Group
That single quote sums up what makes local insurance agencies so valuable — and why word-of-mouth referrals in a close-knit community like Mokena & surrounding suburbs alike carry so much weight.
One of Hicks Insurance Group’s newest clients found the agency thanks to a local Facebook recommendation. Rather than wasting time sorting through national websites, cold-calling companies, or guessing which agency to trust, he followed a referral from someone right in his own backyard.
And that decision paid off immediately.
That Facebook referral gave the client peace of mind before he ever picked up the phone. With strong community visibility and local testimonials, Hicks Insurance already had the trust factor handled — no convincing required.
He called the office and quickly connected with a member of the Hicks team, who took the time to understand his coverage needs, walk him through the process, and begin quoting options the same day.
Unlike national or captive agents that only quote one company, Hicks Insurance works with a network of over 15 carriers — giving clients the advantage of true choice.
This client didn’t have to request multiple quotes from different places. Hicks did all the comparison shopping for him, identifying which policy gave him the best mix of coverage and price. The result? Significant savings without sacrificing protection.
Throughout the process, he worked directly with someone who knows the market, understands common regional risks, and could break down complex policy language in simple terms. That kind of local expertise makes all the difference — especially when things go wrong.
And because Hicks Insurance is right here in town, the client could call, text, email, or stop in — no call center transfers, no ticket numbers, no delays.
Working with a national agency might have left him with fewer options, more time wasted, and possibly higher premiums. Instead, he found a trusted partner — all thanks to local word-of-mouth and the personalized approach that Hicks Insurance delivers every day.
Living in Mokena and the surrounding area means facing unique insurance challenges shaped by unpredictable Midwest weather, aging infrastructure, and seasonal shifts. While national carriers may offer broad coverage, they often miss the local nuances that really matter here.
Here are some of the key risk factors that regional and local agencies like Hicks Insurance are trained to spot and address — but national providers might gloss over:
Frequent storms in spring and summer bring high winds and hail, which can damage roofing, siding, and vehicles. Many national carriers don’t automatically include or suggest matching siding and roof coverage, which can lead to out-of-pocket expenses after a storm.
With many basements in the area and a high water table, water backup claims are one of the most common homeowner losses here. A national quote might leave out this essential protection unless specifically requested.
Older homes in Mokena may still rely on aging underground utility lines for water, sewer, or gas. Service line coverage is an affordable add-on, but one that’s often excluded or overlooked by non-local agents unfamiliar with regional infrastructure.
Midwest winters and hot summers put extra stress on HVAC systems and appliances. A power surge or mechanical breakdown can lead to expensive repairs — and this coverage is rarely suggested by big-box insurers unless you ask for it.
From overhanging branches to tornado-level gusts, tree-related damage is a real threat in this area. A local agent will assess this risk and make sure you’re protected before the storm hits — not after.
Rapid temperature shifts in spring and fall can crack foundations, warp siding, and burst pipes. Local agents understand the importance of endorsements that protect against the freeze-thaw effects unique to the Midwest.
These are just a few reasons why local experience matters. A policy from a national chain may look fine on paper — until you have a claim. That’s when the missing details can cost you.
Insurance laws in Illinois don’t stay the same for long — and at Hicks Insurance Group, staying ahead of those changes is part of the daily routine. As a locally trusted agency, the team keeps up with evolving regulations to make sure every client’s coverage is not just competitive, but fully compliant with state standards.
Agents complete continuing education and ethics training every two years, staying sharp on topics like legislative updates, risk trends, and new product offerings. “It’s not just a requirement,” Jerry says, “it’s how we stay ready to protect our clients better.”
In addition to formal CE, Hicks receives frequent updates directly from their 15+ carrier partners — including alerts on regulatory shifts, underwriting changes, and best practices. “We’re always tuned in to what’s happening at the state level,” Jerry adds, “so our clients don’t have to worry about whether their policy is still right. That’s our job.”
Whether it’s a change in auto insurance laws or new coverage options for homeowners, you can count on Hicks to keep your policy aligned with the latest industry and legal standards — no guesswork required.
It’s not just about the price tag — it’s about what comes with it. Here’s how Hicks Insurance Group stacks up against national chains:
In today’s world of automated phone trees, online-only service, and one-size-fits-all policies, it’s easy to feel like just another number. But with Hicks Insurance Group, you’re more than a policyholder — you’re a neighbor, a partner, and someone they’re committed to protecting.
That’s the heart of what makes local insurance better. Hicks Insurance doesn’t just sell policies — they build relationships, educate clients, and advocate for you when it matters most.
If you’re ready for a smarter, more personal approach to insurance, here’s what you’ll get with Hicks Insurance Group in Mokena:
“We’re not here to sell you the most expensive policy,” says Jerry. “We’re here to make sure you’re protected — and that you understand what you’re buying.”
📍 Located in the heart of Mokena
📞 Call us: (708) 532-7474
🌐 Visit: www.hicksinsurance.com
📱 Reach out your way: Call, text, email, or stop by anytime
Let’s protect what matters — together.
Give us a call today and we can help.
If you are new to Hicks Insurance, you probably have some questions. Let's help you get some answers.
If you cause an accident, be prepared to pay your deductible. After you’ve done that, your insurance company should pay the remaining costs, including damages or medical expenses you caused to other parties involved.
Your business insurance needs are as unique as your business itself. While all businesses need certain types of coverage—general liability, business property, and workers’ compensation, for example—your other needs hinge on your type of business. If, for example, you use vehicles in your line of work, you need business auto insurance. Similarly, businesses that manufacture a product should consider product liability insurance. Talk to your agent to determine your exact needs.
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