WHY DO WE CALL OURSELVES GOOD NEIGHBOR INSURANCE?

QUESTION: WHY DO YOU CALL YOURSELVES GOOD NEIGHBOR INSURANCE?

ANSWER: IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND OUR BACKGROUND, OUR BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY AND OUR CUSTOMERS

Once there was a traveler who had been beaten-up by thieves and left for dead on the side of the road. Jesus told a story about the man who helped him. Although a stranger to him, the good Samaritan proved himself to be that man’s neighbor by getting involved, taking care of the man, and making sure his health care was covered. That is our passion and goal at Good Neighbor Insurance. To protect travelers. Wherever their journey takes them. And if we can keep them from getting ripped-off to begin with–keep them from getting hurt–then we're done our job.

In those days Jews didn’t like Samaritans. There were probably good reasons. Sometimes insurance agents can be viewed suspiciously. Even travel insurance specialists can be seen as "other." Yet there is no mistaking altruism. What is altruism? The word itself was coined by the French philosopher Auguste Comte in the 1800s. He used the term to refer to our moral obligation to serve others and place their interests above our own.

Whether it's Aristotle's magnanimity or Judaism's term for charity (tzedakah–which derives from tzedek–itself meaning “justice”), this concept of altruism, charity, selflessness, philanthropy, hospitality, or love is foreign to most businesses. But we have all experienced its positive benefits. Especially overseas in the multitude of kindnesses shown to us. We like to think that even though we ourselves are not overseas at this moment, we can extend that same "Good Neighborliness" to those we meet and those we serve. Whether or not they are (momentarily) strangers to us. Some might even say that being “good neighborly” is the true basis for all business--serving others--rather than a “solely-for-profit” motive.

Maimonides, the Jewish philosopher, drew up a golden hierarchy of charity 800 years ago.

1. Giving grudgingly
2. Giving to the poor less than one should, but in a friendly manner
3. Giving to the poor after being asked
4. Giving to the poor without being asked
5. Giving when the recipient knows the donor but the donor does not know the recipient
6. Giving when the donor knows the recipient, but the recipient does not know the donor
7. Giving when neither the recipient nor the donor know each other
8. The highest degree of all is one who supports another reduced to poverty by providing a loan, or entering into a partnership, or finding work for him, so that the poor person can become self-sufficient.

Based on the parable of the good Samaritan, we'd like to add:

9. Protecting those who might otherwise step into danger, and helping them, even when one does not know the recipient, in order to help that person reach their own goals and potential.

The term “good neighbor” or “good Samaritan” has become part of our everyday speech and thought. It has become one of the most well-known stories expressing what it truly means to be a neighbor, a friend, human.

Good Neighbor Insurance is proud to serve those who spend their time and lives seeking to understand, build up, serve and support peoples and communities worldwide. We've spent many years doing the same thing, so we understand.