Brand Story – A Partner-First Approach to Risk Management.
When Nolan Colvin meets with business owners across Central Oregon, he doesn’t lead with an insurance sales pitch. “I don’t view myself as being a sales person,” he says. Instead, he focuses on understanding their unique challenges, growth objectives, and operational realities. As a commercial insurance advisor with Marsh McLennan Agency’s Northwest operations, Colvin views his role differently than many in his industry — starting with his approach to connecting with new clients.
“I do a lot of in-person prospecting,” Colvin explains. “This allows for a great opportunity to meet business leaders at their place and start a conversation. My job is to partner with businesses, understand their operations, and effectively present their risk profile to insurance carriers. I’m helping them purchase insurance and manage risk — not selling to them.”
Nolan ColvinCreative Solutions for High-Risk Properties
This consultative approach recently proved invaluable for a Bend-area hotel facing a potentially devastating insurance challenge. The property was located in a high wildfire risk zone and scored nearly 100 (the highest possible score) on underwriters’ risk assessment scales. This meant the property was about to lose its standard carrier coverage. The hotel’s options appeared limited to a complex, multi-carrier solution that would have increased premiums five-fold.
“In Central Oregon, fire risk is a major concern for property coverage, especially with recent catastrophic events affecting insurance markets nationwide,” Colvin says. “Many carriers are either pulling out entirely or implementing significant rate increases at renewal. Some are requiring businesses to split coverage across multiple carriers, with different insurers handling property, liability, and other aspects.”
Rather than accepting this outcome, Colvin leveraged Marsh McLennan Agency’s extensive resources and relationships. He conducted a thorough on-site risk assessment, documented the property’s safety measures, and worked closely with hotel management to build a compelling case for insurers. The result was that Colvin was able to secure comprehensive coverage through a single carrier at rates comparable to the hotel’s previous premium.
This success story exemplifies Marsh McLennan Agency’s unique value proposition: combining deep local market knowledge with the resources and connections of one of the world’s largest insurance brokers. The company’s professionals throughout Oregon are ready to travel and assist with risk assessment and claims advocacy, regardless of client size.
Beyond Traditional Insurance
Colvin’s approach to protecting businesses starts with a fundamental principle: Insurance is just one tool in the risk management toolbox. “When I meet with somebody, it’s not just focusing on the insurance policy,” he explains. “We look at the whole picture — what could prevent the business from growing or achieving its goals? Then we bring in our risk control specialists to identify potential issues that might have been missed and develop comprehensive solutions.”
He finds that many businesses fall into a “set and forget” pattern with their insurance coverage, automatically renewing policies without reassessing their evolving needs. “Good questions aren’t being asked to really understand the true risk in a business,” Colvin notes. “Even if a business is happy with their current coverage, I can help them identify blind spots and potentially walk away with valuable information about their risk profile.”
This comprehensive approach includes exploring multiple risk management strategies. This may involve identifying and implementing policies and procedures to address risks that are uninsurable or too expensive to insure. Vendor contracts can be structured differently to appropriately transfer risk. Loss control can help prevent claims. Connecting clients with specialized resources and network partners. Whatever the need is, regular reviews ensure that coverage evolves with the business.
Building Business Resilience
Central Oregon has experienced significant growth over the past decade, with new industries emerging and established businesses relocating from larger metropolitan areas, including Portland. This evolution creates both opportunities and challenges for risk management.
“We’re seeing a lot of networking and collaboration opportunities,” Colvin says. “When I work with a business, I can bring in other specialists who understand their industry and can provide additional expertise. It’s about being an extension of their team and helping coordinate all aspects of their risk management program.”
This partner-first philosophy has proven especially valuable as businesses face increasingly complex challenges, from supply chain disruptions to workforce issues. By taking time to “open the hood and look underneath,” as Colvin puts it, he helps clients build genuine business resilience — not just insurance coverage.
“My responsibility is to help businesses identify what might keep them from growing or reaching their goals,” he explains. “Then we can bring in our risk-control specialists to spot potential issues and work together to develop the best risk management strategies. It’s about being proactive rather than reactive.”
Times are changing in the business world, and with that comes a fresh perspective on risk management. Insurance is no longer just another yearly bill to pay. Instead, smart companies are bringing risk management to the planning table, making it part of the conversation about their company’s future. By working with advisors like Colvin, who blend hometown knowledge with global expertise, these businesses are building a stronger foundation for growth.
For businesses interested in taking a fresh look at their risk management approach, learn more about Marsh McLennan Agency’s Bend office https://mmanorthwest.com/location/oregon/bend and contact Nolan Colvin at 541-213-9206.
Brand stories are paid content articles that allow Oregon Business advertisers to share news about their organizations and engage with readers on business and public policy issues. The stories are produced in house by the Oregon Business marketing department. For more information, contact associate publisher Courtney Kutzman.