Andy & Megan Enders
“You live there on purpose?”
This used to be the most common reaction after acknowledging that my wife and I live in the Engleton neighborhood of Harrisburg. Thankfully, it has become less frequent, but it still appears regularly. Describing Engleton’s geographic location (Reily to Kelker; 2nd to 3rd) is its own endeavor, prompting me to resort to Lion Ambassador tour guide tendencies developed at Penn State. I trust that a positive message resonates more often than it might fall on deaf ears.
To the surprise of many, we live here by choice, but no differently than a family might choose to settle in Hummelstown or Mechanicsburg. As young professionals in the infancy of our careers, we love the dynamic that our neighborhood has to offer. Neighborhoods throughout the city offer a similar sentiment. Harrisburg is full of people who actually want to live here. These people create the sense of community we are so fortunate to foster. It is an understatement to say that the city continues to face challenges. We are a city that is on the cusp of renaissance based on the strength of its core—our people. It is vibrant, friendly and safe, but we have room to improve. One example is the disparate condition of our properties.
My professional career as an insurance broker relies upon the clear communication of information. Harrisburg continues to suffer from an image problem attributed to years of bad press. As a result, I have additional obstacles to overcome in order to effectively provide insurance coverage to my clients.
This is not some randomly manifested issue. I regularly encounter insurance carrier underwriters (the people who judge insurability) who have become wary of insuring city properties. While many of these underwriters have never set foot within the city, they have relied on newspaper articles, NPR stories and national television broadcasts that have revealed Harrisburg’s past financial despair. Maligned and misguided opinions on the condition of our city have been formed as a result of this information. Suddenly, I no longer only have to sell the quality of the particular account, but also justify its location in Harrisburg.
Fortunately, the insurance carriers we partner with encourage open dialogue throughout the underwriting process and are adept at supporting clients through loss control and risk management, especially those requiring property coverage in Harrisburg. A strong relationship with your insurance carrier creates a mutually beneficial relationship.
Insuring a property within city limits presents unique challenges. Building construction, proximity to other structures, years of ownership and condition are all factored into premium rates. City properties typically showcase a vast array of physical construction and historical elements that will substantially impact premiums. A property’s insurability is directly dependent upon its condition, regardless of its age. You have the ability to improve the condition of your property, whether as a property owner or tenant. Structures that fall into disrepair present serious complications.
Within the last year, we have witnessed a frighteningly large number of Harrisburg buildings collapse. Old masonry buildings that are not maintained are highly susceptible to becoming structurally compromised. When a building is abandoned, that risk is exponentially increased. This impacts my ability to help clients protect their investments, whether a home or business.
Harrisburg property ranges from ambitious new commercial construction to residential properties owned by individuals who don’t even know the color of their front doors. They all deserve the opportunity to be properly insured. While conducting property inspections, I have encountered angry dogs, massive amounts of debris and structures that should require hardhats to enter. I have also experienced LEED-certified buildings, century-old units on the historical register, and lovely homes on quaint streets. In Harrisburg, you can experience nearly every exposure contemplated by a policy form. It is typically a challenge to implement coverage on a city property compared to a nondescript building in a business park in the suburbs.
However, it is not buildings that develop a community. You do not need to invest thousands of dollars, let alone millions, to demonstrate commitment to a place. Sometimes, it is as simple as pulling some weeds, repairing a broken window or planting a few flowers. Once we acknowledge the power of individual responsibility to effectuate positive change, we will all benefit. Each of us has the ability to encourage the maturation of our community. It can start with taking care of your property, which can provide direct economic benefit on your property insurance.
As a city resident, I feel an obligation to be an ambassador for my city. Whether you live in the city or are a daily commuter, you should, too. No single person, elected or otherwise, can fix Harrisburg. Successful change requires commitment from the community as a whole to consistently promote positive behavior, rather than make excuses for its shortcomings. Doing so can have a positive impact on the long-term insurability of our city.
I’ve taken to handing out copies of TheBurg and recounting personal anecdotes to my clients. I have even been known to mail a hard copy of TheBurg to an out-of-state insurance carrier for positive reinforcement, when reading it online just isn’t enough. Remarkably, I am no longer the only person in my office doing this. The monthly allocation of TheBurg that we receive doesn’t last long. Even though our business is located in Linglestown, our entire team recognizes the importance of Harrisburg to our region.
We must not aspire to be average. We should aspire to achieve the positive recognition that our neighbors in Lancaster, Lititz and Pittsburgh (each recognized as a “best”) have received. Let’s embrace the nuances that already make Harrisburg a city worthy of its own recognition. A good place to start is to demonstrate pride in our property—whether you own it or not. In the meantime, I will continue to promote Harrisburg’s positive attributes, while acknowledging its areas of growth opportunity.
Andrew M. Enders, Esq. is a third generation insurance professional with Enders Insurance Associates, one of TheBurg’s Community Publishers. Andy and his wife, Megan, happily reside in Harrisburg.
