Meet Jim Johnson, Loss Control Construction Specialist

Jim Johnson may be Central’s new loss control construction specialist, but he’s far from new to construction. Growing up on a farm, Jim enjoyed working with his hands, fixing cars, and repairing equipment from a young age. He even put himself through college working construction and even acted as his own general contractor overseeing the construction of his home. 

While Jim may not have predicted a career in insurance, his love of construction was a constant that laid the foundation for his future. 

“I worked claims for a national insurance carrier after college, working in loss control before becoming a construction underwriter. In my underwriting role, I started to miss working in heavy construction and loss control. Around that time, Hanover Insurance offered me a job as a loss control consultant. I jumped at the opportunity to get back out in the field.” 

Johnson says that while he greatly enjoyed loss control, he was focused across many areas, including manufacturing, schools, human services, and nonprofit accounts, but construction remained his true passion. 

With a passion for construction and a desire to specialize in one vertical, Johnson explains that “it was an easy decision for me when Central reached out about an opportunity to come on board as their new loss control construction specialist.” 

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Taking a New Approach to Loss Control Through Curiosity and Connection

In his role, Johnson works closely with Central’s construction clients to evaluate job site exposures and prevent losses. His expertise financially benefits policyholders by reducing dollars paid on claim deductibles. He also helps protect the people they employ by enhancing overall site safety. 

However, loss control doesn’t come without its challenges. “Nobody wants to do business with someone who comes in solely focused on pointing out everything they’re doing wrong,” Johnson says. “I strive to be a partner, not an inspector, which is where my background comes in handy.” 

Long-held misperceptions about the role of loss control create skepticism amongst some business owners, but Johnson and his team break down these walls by taking a curiosity-driven, human approach to the work. 

“I’ve been in construction, and I understand their world. I speak the language, and I’m interested in what they’re doing. When we connect on a more meaningful level, it breaks down barriers and creates a foundation for trust,” he says. “It also creates a layer of comfort with our agents. When I go out, they know they don’t have to act as a liaison between the client and the carrier.” 

Creating a Safety Culture

Johnson says an organization’s culture plays an important role in loss control. When evaluating an account, he considers a company’s internal alignment in addition to safety and training programs. 

“I’m watching to see if leadership calls people by name and whether employees smile when they see their managers. When a strong culture already exists, it tells me we’re in a good place to work together and make things even better.”

A willingness to embrace safety from the top down lays the foundation for a successful loss control program. 

“If I find something needing improvement, they want to fix it because they genuinely care about their people. That’s a good match for Central because we’re in the business of taking care of people and protecting what matters most.” 

The Central Difference 

Commercial policyholders and insurance carriers invest in one another to protect the insured’s assets in the event of a loss. While policyholders invest by paying premiums each month, insurance companies do so by providing the resources and support to minimize risk. 

At Central, we’re honored to partner in our policyholders’ success. When the worst happens, we’re there to help. Supporting our policyholders by identifying and preventing losses is an important extension of our commitment to care for those who place their trust in us.  

Learn More About Loss Control at Central

Central’s Loss Control team works with policyholders to prevent losses and claims before they happen. Our experts make site visits to identify potential exposures and then provide recommendations for improvement. ​​Click here to learn how working with a dedicated loss control specialist helps protect your business.