EP 14: How To Protect What Matters: Insurance Made Simple With Brad Kiesling
How To Protect What Matters: Insurance Made Simple With Brad Kiesling
By Sherry Sutton | Heart of the Hustle Show
In this episode of Heart of the Hustle, I sit down with insurance expert Brad Kiesling to talk about how to protect what matters most—your home, your business, your finances, and your peace of mind. Learn what most people get wrong about insurance and how to build coverage that actually works for real life.
Why This Episode Matters to Every Entrepreneur and Homeowner
I'll be honest—insurance isn’t exactly the thing I wake up excited to talk about. But after this conversation with Brad Kiesling, that totally changed for me. I realized that most of us (me included!) are walking around with massive gaps in our coverage, policies we don’t understand, and assumptions that could cost us big.
In my work helping entrepreneurs create content that connects, I spend a lot of time talking about visibility and strategy. But visibility means nothing if your business or your life gets hit with something unexpected—and you’re not prepared. That’s where Brad comes in.
Brad Kiesling is the owner of Kiesling Insurance Agency and a partner with Farmers Insurance. He serves families and businesses all across Texas, and what sets him apart isn’t just the policies—it’s the personal connection. He’s the kind of agent who knows your name, your story, and shows up when things go wrong. In this episode, we go deep into the stuff most people never think about until it’s too late. And trust me—you’ll want to take notes.
What I Learned (And Why It Might Just Save You Thousands)
Cheaper Isn’t Always Smarter
One of the first things Brad told me was this: there’s the cost of the policy, and the cost of using the policy. Most people only look at the monthly payment. But what happens when it’s time to file a claim? Are you covered—or stuck with bills that wipe out your savings?
I realized I’d been guilty of this. I’d shop by price and assume I was getting “good enough” coverage. But Brad explained that most stripped-down policies leave out vital things—like uninsured motorist protection, medical payments, or enough dwelling coverage to rebuild your home at today’s prices.
"If you’ve never used your insurance, you don’t know how it works. That’s where I come in." — Brad Kiesling
Why Umbrella Policies Aren’t Just for the Wealthy
Brad blew my mind when he explained umbrella policies. I thought these were only for millionaires. Not true.
An umbrella policy gives you extra liability protection that kicks in when your home or auto policy limits are maxed out. Think: someone slips on your driveway and sues you. Your teenager causes a major accident. You’re held liable for a fire that spreads to a neighbor’s property.
These policies often start at $1 million and can cost as little as $200–$300 a year. That’s a tiny price for the peace of mind that you won’t lose everything in a lawsuit.
The Agent Advantage (AKA: Why You Still Need a Human)
Look, I get it. We live in a world of one-click everything. But there’s a difference between buying paper towels online and buying a policy that’s supposed to protect your entire financial life.
Brad shared real-world stories about clients who were saved from disaster because they had him in their corner. People who filed claims the right way. People who avoided claims when it wasn’t worth it. People who got a real person on the phone instead of a robot.
"Having an agent isn’t about paying more. It’s about having someone who’s invested in helping you—not a call center." — Brad Kiesling
Let’s Talk About Home Insurance (Because Your Roof Probably Isn’t Covered Like You Think)
Living in Texas means dealing with hail, heat, wind, and weird weather—sometimes all in the same day. If you’ve lived here long enough, you’ve probably had roof damage, tree limbs down, or even hail the size of golf balls. Most of us assume, "Hey, I’ve got home insurance—this’ll be covered."
But during this conversation, Brad totally shifted my perspective.
He broke it down like this: your home insurance might cover storm damage—but only if you have the right type of coverage and only if you follow the correct steps. There’s so much nuance in the policy language, and unfortunately, it often shows up after you need it. That’s when surprises hit, and not the good kind.
One of the most eye-opening things Brad explained was how post-storm panic creates the perfect environment for fraud. You’ve probably seen it: a storm blows through, and the next morning your doorbell’s ringing off the hook with roofers offering "free inspections" and saying, “We’ll work directly with your insurance company!”
Brad calls this a red flag. Why? Because some of these contractors encourage homeowners to file claims they don’t need or exaggerate the damage. That’s insurance fraud. And if you go down that path—even unintentionally—you could end up with denied claims or flagged as high-risk in future policy renewals.
We also talked about when it’s worth filing a claim. This part was huge for me. Not every bit of damage should trigger a claim. Sometimes it’s smarter to pay out of pocket. Brad walked me through how he helps clients run the numbers: What’s your deductible? How much will the claim affect your rates in the future? Is it worth it long term?
This is where the agent relationship really shines. When you have someone who knows the policies and your personal situation, they can help you make decisions with your full financial picture in mind—not just your gut reaction to a dent in your roof.
Then there’s the big topic: replacement value vs. actual cash value. I thought those were the same. Spoiler alert—they are very different.
Replacement value covers what it would cost to replace something today.
Actual cash value covers what it’s worth right now, after depreciation.
So if your $15,000 roof has aged 10 years, an actual cash value policy might only give you $7,000 when you file a claim. That’s a massive gap—and most people don’t realize it until it’s too late.
The key message Brad drove home was this: Your policy should reflect today’s real-world rebuilding costs. We’ve seen labor and materials skyrocket in the past few years. If your policy hasn’t kept up, you’re probably underinsured and wouldn’t know it until you’re standing in front of a claims adjuster trying to figure out how to come up with $10,000.
That hit me hard. It’s easy to forget that inflation and supply chain issues don’t just affect groceries and gas—they affect your policy’s ability to protect your home.
If there’s one takeaway I hope you remember, it’s this: don’t wait for a storm to test your policy. Know what you’re working with before you need it. Ask questions. Read the fine print. And if that feels overwhelming—call someone like Brad. He’ll walk you through it in plain English and help you sleep a little better at night.
Auto Insurance: More Than Just Your Car
Brad walked me through the three major parts of an auto policy:
Protecting yourself and your passengers (through personal injury protection)
Protecting others if you’re at fault
Protecting your vehicle (and theirs)
We talked about hit-and-runs, uninsured drivers, and how coverage gaps can leave you stuck. Especially in Texas, where not everyone has adequate insurance. One of the smartest things Brad said was:
"Most people think insurance is only for when you mess up. But sometimes it protects you from someone else’s bad decisions."
I hadn’t thought of it that way. And now I can’t unsee it.
Brad’s Journey: Why He Left Corporate Life to Serve Real People
Brad didn’t start in insurance. He spent three decades working in the securities industry, supporting financial advisors and traveling constantly. Eventually, it burned him out. He wanted something local. Something that let him make a real difference.
So, he opened Kiesling Insurance Agency—and built it on personal service, deep trust, and the belief that coverage should make sense to the person holding the policy.
His agency now serves clients all over Texas. But more importantly, it serves them with clarity, honesty, and real relationships.
What You Should Do Right Now (Like, Today)
If you haven’t looked at your insurance policies in a while—or if you got them online and don’t remember what they include—do this:
Call your agent (or get one): Ask them to walk through your home, auto, life, and umbrella coverage.
Ask about liability limits: If you own a home, drive regularly, or have a family—this matters.
Consider umbrella protection: It’s affordable and game-changing in a crisis.
Make sure your policies reflect your real life today—not just your budget five years ago.
Watch the Full Episode
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.
📺 Or watch the full conversation on YouTube.
Trust me—you’ll walk away feeling smarter, more prepared, and ready to take action.
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