The Accelerator by Hagerty

Discover why vehicles from the 80s, 90s, and early 00s represent one of the hottest segments in today's collector car market. Art Cervantes, co-founder of RADwood, explains how nostalgic passion drives purchasing decisions and why these seemingly ordinary vehicles often hide extraordinary business opportunities for smart agents who know what to look for. Art Cervantes is an automotive enthusiast,...

What happens when deep personal passion meets smart business strategy? In this episode of The Accelerator, Bryant Kolle and John Gessner sit down with Jeremy Benjamin, a true car enthusiast who turned his love for collector vehicles into remarkable agency growth.  Jeremy shares how connecting with clients on what they genuinely love and building trust, community, and authentic relationships became...

John Gessner and Bryant Kolle unpack Hagerty’s new Bull Market List with car culture legend Larry Webster. Learn what makes a car collectible today, why ’90s and 2000s models are heating up, and how agents can spot, protect, and win with enthusiast vehicles. Plus: why agreed value coverage is a must for serious car lovers. Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode: (04:12) Introducing Larry Webster...

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what truly moved the needle. Bryant Kolle and John Gessner look back on a year defined by growth, community, and meaningful industry insight. They’re joined by special guest Jeff Briglia, President of Insurance at Hagerty. Jeff shares his career journey through companies like of Plymouth Rock, and what makes Hagerty genuinely different in insur...

Today, we welcome a true multi-hyphenate guest – Toby Brazwell, who is a district leader, musician, author, and empowerment coach. Toby joins the show to explore how emotional intelligence and mindset shape performance, why building your “personal board of advisors” is a game-changer for insurance professionals, and dig into the powerful idea that every interaction is an interview.  Here’s what we...

Our guests from Hagerty, Sabrina Wheaton (Senior Director of Underwriting & Operations) and Kennen Choiniere (Director of U.S. Auto Product Management), pull back the curtain on how Hagerty delivers stability, flexibility and top-tier service to agents and their clients.    You’ll hear how product filings really work, why pricing varies state to state, and what makes Hagerty’s endorsements and und...

The world of high-net-worth risk management is shifting fast – from cyber threats to passion assets like collector cars. How do you stay ahead? Diane Delaney, CEO and Executive Director of the Private Risk Management Association, shares what’s really changing in this space. Diane takes us from her early days at AIG to leading PRMA, sharing insights on affluent clients, new research on the “confide...

With Monterey Car Week on the horizon, hosts John Gessner and Bryant Kolle sit down with Brian Rabold, VP of Automotive Intelligence at Hagerty, for a look at the market. From the evolution of the hobby over the past six years to the story behind the Hagerty Price Guide, Brian unpacks the trends shaping today’s market, including the rise of ’90s enthusiast cars and the influence of younger collect...

What happens when two experienced insurance professionals decide to do things differently? In this episode of The Accelerator, Dana Acabbo and Carrie Keller talk about their journey from big-firm life to launching their boutique agency Make The Switch. Discover why authenticity trumps quotas, how to network effectively from Pebble Beach to rural Nebraska, and why sometimes, the best clients drive...

Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Accelerator, where we unpack real-world catastrophe claims – from wildfires, floods, to hurricanes – and what happens when the unexpected hits. You'll hear frontline stories from Hagerty claims experts, revealing how rapid response, personal connection, and a customer-first mindset make all the difference. From California evacuations to Florida recovery ef...

What if the make-or-break moment in your client relationship wasn’t when you wrote the policy, but when disaster struck? Lee Meeler, Jeff Mullenix and David Herbert from Hagerty’s claims team reveal what really happens when a high-value collector car is damaged, and how a smooth, transparent process creates loyal customers.    From missing classics found via Google Street View to multi-million dol...

Imagine standing on stage at a high-stakes auction, gavel in hand, heart pounding with excitement. For Lydia Fenet, this isn’t just a moment, it’s a career she’s built with persistence and self-belief. In this first episode of The Accelerator, Lydia – an accomplished auctioneer and confidence coach – shares her journey from college intern at Christie’s to launching her own agency.  Whether you're...