# Why Having a Local Insurance Agency Still Matters

By Damon Priddy (@damonpriddy) · Published 2026-09-11

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Insurance may begin with a policy, but the protection behind it is personal. When questions arise, circumstances change or the unexpected happens, clients deserve more than a phone number—they deserve a local team they know and can meet with face-to-face.

At Damon Priddy State Farm, being available in person is a central part of how we serve our clients. Our office is located here in Springfield, and our team lives, works and participates in the same community as the families and businesses we protect. Clients can call us, stop by the office or sit down with someone who understands their needs and history.

We believe these personal conversations are so important that meeting with clients is a primary responsibility of our Chief Operating Officer and Senior Advisor, Orion Marty. Orion meets with clients throughout the year to review their insurance, answer questions and help ensure their coverage continues to reflect their lives.

An annual review is especially valuable because life rarely stays the same for long. Families purchase homes, change vehicles, welcome children, start businesses and prepare for retirement. At the same time, construction costs, property values and financial priorities can change. A policy that was appropriate several years ago may no longer provide the protection a client expects today.

During these meetings, Orion takes the time to learn what has changed, explain coverage in understandable terms and identify potential concerns or opportunities. The goal is never simply to review paperwork. It is to make sure each client feels known, informed and confident about the protection they have in place.

That level of accessibility is part of the value of choosing a local agency. Technology offers convenience, but it should never replace relationships. Our clients receive the strength and resources of State Farm along with a local owner and team who are here to meet with them personally.

At Damon Priddy State Farm, having insurance is only the beginning. Knowing who is protecting you—and being able to sit across the table from them—makes all the difference.