About Us
Formerly known as Loring & Company, Universal Group is an independent insurance agency, brokerage, and consulting company in Omaha, Nebraska, founded in 1982. With an Omaha legacy dating back to 1889, we remain locally owned and operated. Our name has changed, but our mission has not. We still provide the Omaha metro with the best products, service and advice available in the insurance and risk management field.
Dan Loring entered the business in 1967, preceded by Dan Loring, Sr. who handled insurance for Omaha clients beginning in 1946. The Loring family established a trusted name in Omaha and the surrounding areas for almost three decades before the agency was purchased from Dan Loring in July of 2013 by Daniel R. Headlee.
During Headlee’s time at the helm of this established agency, he has worked to maintain the reputation and golden standard of risk management the Loring family created. Headlee went into the purchase of Loring & Company with 22 years of experience in the insurance and risk management field. He saw the opportunity to take an already reputable and trusted company, and foster its growth. Today, Universal offers more products and services, it has expanded to include multiple locations ( including Omaha, Columbus NE. and Phoenix AZ. ) with plans to add many more locations in the future. The agency has built many insurance programs for multiple lines of business and customer., notable programs include Auto Dealers insurance, Construction and bonding just to name a few with many more to follow.
We have a local presence in our markets we serve and are on the verge of becoming a national agency with the ability to write our programs in all 50 states. The agency has grown over 300% since Headlee decided to make his vision of this agency a reality.
We exist to protect our clients from potential loss through risk management and insurance services. The actions we take and the products we recommend directly affect our clients’ bottom line profits. In partnership with specialized insurance company representatives, we assist with risk analysis, self insurance, safety surveys, loss control, claims, or any technical difficulty encountered. We work to create a tailored policy that fits your exact needs.
In the highly competitive insurance industry, quality client service is essential. Universal Group offers its clients the best of this service. We remain dedicated to professionalism, regular client contact and ongoing education concerning the many changes in our field. It is our goal to remain informed about the latest insurance opportunities.
By remembering our roots in Omaha, we bring the combination of tradition and highly technical insurance skills to all of our clients, both new and old. We are committed to our continuing and uncompromising philosophy to provide the best insurance and risk management advice available. Universal Group will continue to offer the same level of service that our customers have always had -we just want to grow, improve and go on into the future as Universal Group.
History
Formerly known as Loring & Company, Universal Group is an independent insurance agency, brokerage, and consulting company in Omaha, Nebraska, founded in 1982. With an Omaha legacy dating back to 1889, we remain locally owned and operated. Our name has changed, but our mission has not. We still provide the Omaha metro area with the best products, service and advice available in the insurance and risk management field.
Dan Loring entered the business in 1967, preceded by Dan Loring, Sr. who handled insurance for Omaha clients beginning in 1946. The Loring family established a trusted name in Omaha and the surrounding areas for almost three decades before the agency was purchased from Dan Loring in July of 2013 by Daniel R. Headlee.
Our Team
President/Producer
Daniel R. Headlee, CIC
Dan started at Zurich Insurance Company developing several specialized insurance programs utilized throughout the country. He is a lifelong Omaha resident, attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Dan is committed to the insurance industry obtaining his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2000.
President/Producer, AZ
Mike McCoy
Producer
Steve Matthews
Steve has been in the insurance field for 33 years, working mainly in the commercial business sector of the industry. He grew up in Iowa, his wife is from Minnesota, and they raised their family here in Omaha. Steve graduated from the University of Northern Iowa summa kum baya with a degree in marketing.
Commercial Lines Service Agent
Jackie Damon
Jackie has over 9 years in the financial services industry. She is dedicated to superior customer service and is working towards her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation. She grew up in Missouri Valley, IA and received her degree in finance from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. She now resides in Omaha, NE with her husband Eric, and their two dogs Venice and Wylee. In her time off she enjoys attending live music events, cheering on the Huskers and she helps out with her families’ restaurant business.
Producer
Austin Beber
Austin developed his knowledge of the insurance industry with Zurich North America’s Direct Markets. As a Finance and Insurance Account Executive, he worked as a direct sales consultant selling Zurich’s commercial insurance and F&I services in the Nebraska and Iowa region. Prior to his time in the insurance industry, Austin spent 7 years working for Marriott Hotels and Resorts in various parts of the country where he developed his focus on customer care and service. He was also a student of Arizona State University where he earned his degree in 2009. Austin is equipped with both strong education and experience. He lives here in Omaha with his wife and their two children.
Client Service Rep
Marilyn Kirchner
Producer
Chad Vacek
Chad has over 12 years of experience in the insurance industry. He specializes in writing insurance programs for Property Developers, Medical Related Companies and Construction related risks. He is a graduate of Creighton University and his medical background helps him educate his clients on the value of a strong Workers Compensation program. He and his wife stay busy with their four teenage children. When time permits, Chad does enjoy playing a round of golf.
Client Service Rep
Mary Dixon
Group Benefits Specialist
Shayla Alex
Shayla has been a licensed insurance agent for nearly 20 years; focusing primarily on Group Benefits. She is passionate about sharing innovative healthcare options with businesses of all sizes, and is dedicated to creating cost-effective benefit packages that will assist employers in retain employees. Shayla grew up in Gering, NE and relocated to Omaha in 2007 to access additional services for her son with Autism. In her free time she enjoys camping with her 3 dogs, attending live music events, painting, and volunteering with agencies that focus on serving youth with disabilities, and animal rescues.
Commercial Lines Service Agent
Jeannie Samuels
I have over 38 years experience in the insurance industry both on the company and agency side. I have my CISR designation. In my spare time I enjoy spending it with my 3 grandkids and going camping.
Not Pictured
Tammy Darr – Controller: tdarr@universalinsgroup.com
Shannon Hradsky – Personal Lines Customer Service: shradsky@universalinsgroup.com
Kristi Clymer – Personal Lines Customer Service: kclymer@universalinsgroup.com
Jessica Headlee – Wellness Co-coordinator: Jessica@resolutionsandbeyond.com
Ryan Herdman – New Business Development Manager: rherdman@universalinsgroup.com
Angela Smith: asmith@universalinsgroup.com
Our Offices
