With the goal of better serving St. Croix’, Guardian Insurance Co. now has a full-service office at Sunshine Mall.
Before opening the new space at the mall, Guardian’s office was in an "inconspicuous" office in Gallows Bay, said Octavio Estrada, Guardian’s executive vice president.
"And it was for claims service only. Now we have a fully staffed claims office so we can service customers in a fast and speedy way," he said.
The move to Sunshine also fills a need that has been long unaddressed — serving the west side of the island, Estrada said, especially when the recently enacted mandatory automobile insurance law comes closer to going into effect in February.
"We cater to the Westside," he said. "There are no brokers or agents on this side of the island. We thought it would be a good idea to provide that service."
As for auto insurance, Estrada said that’s Guardian’s main line of sales.
"The law is going into effect in February 2000. People shouldn’t wait until the last minute because there will be long lines."
And for drivers who are procrastinating because there is still six months before the law kicks in, getting coverage now might save some money — especially at Guardian. The company is offering a 15 percent up-front discount to all new clients at the new office, Estrada said.
"For people thinking about getting insurance, this might be a good time to get it."
Guardian can also finance premiums for people who can’t cover the entire cost right away, Estrada said. That’s made possible because Guardian is wholly owned by the Lockhart Group of companies, which also owns Premium Finance Company.
Since 1984, Guardian has mostly worked through agents and brokers. While it still does that, Toni Peebles Lopez, sales manager at the Sunshine, and her staff can take care of most drivers’ needs in one stop at the new office — bilingually as well, Estrada said.
Guardian’s office is located around the corner from Sunshine Supermarket next to Pearle Vision. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
"We have the best price and service in the world," Estrada said. "And there’s plenty of parking, too."