GEICO’s Buffalo Regional Office Increases Starting Salaries Significantly for Many Positions

GEICO significantly increased starting salaries for sales, service and claims positions at the company’s Buffalo regional office.

“I wanted to stay in the area to finish my degree–and GEICO not only allowed me to do that but paid for it”

Sales and service associates at GEICO are, professional insurance agents, provided with extensive training and continuing education. GEICO offers an excellent benefits package, and recently rolled out a new hybrid work schedule, which allows associates to work 3-to-5 days per week at from home once they complete orientation.

Buffalo associate, Brady DeVore, started his career in Iowa. While attending the University of Iowa, DeVore wanted a stable income and tuition reimbursement.

“I wanted to stay in the area to finish my degree–and GEICO not only allowed me to do that but paid for it,” said DeVore.

While going to school, DeVore entered the company as a Service Representative.

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“I had some previous customer service experience – but no knowledge of insurance. That didn’t matter. GEICO did a great job of training me,” said DeVore.

DeVore was in service for a year before transitioning to sales. Approximately two years later, DeVore was promoted to supervisor. Then, in 2004, the Buffalo regional office opened and “there were so many great opportunities that I jumped at the chance,” said DeVore.

Over the next 16 years, DeVore held positions in service, claims and sales–becoming a supervisor and recently was promoted to yet another managerial position.

“I’ve stayed at GEICO because, quite simply, there wasn’t a single other company that could provide this type of growth and promotion opportunities. If I wanted to, I could work anywhere from Buffalo to San Diego to Florida,” said DeVore.

In addition to the compensation and advancement, DeVore has taken full advantage of the benefits GEICO offers.

“Tuition reimbursement is great. But GEICO also helped me adopt three children. We went through the entire process without having to pay much out of pocket. And, as we welcomed three new people into our home, GEICO and my colleagues were super flexible,” said DeVore.

DeVore is also active in employee resource groups (ERGs) – both Go BOLD (“GEICO Organization for Black Outreach and Leadership Development”) and Parent PEERS (“Providing Education, Encouragement, Resources, and Support”).

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“As a white man with a blended family, I found the resources invaluable to understanding their experiences. I’ve also suggested to those I work with that they lean into the ERGs to understand how people from all different cultures and backgrounds experience the workplace. The ERGs have really just extended that family-like culture we have,” said DeVore.

DeVore’s experience is shared by many of his Buffalo colleagues, according to Regional Vice President and Buffalo native Mindy Seibold.

“GEICO tries to provide all the support that any associate might need – from continuing education to flexible work schedules to opportunities to give back to Buffalo. At the same time, our training programs are second to none. People advance quickly and open spots, like those we’re hiring for now, for new associates,” said Seibold.

DeVore, alongside colleagues, is active in the community. He serves as GEICO Buffalo Chair for Special Olympics WNY, coordinating volunteers for the organization, including the Spring Games in Tonawanda, N.Y., where hundreds of athletes compete in front of thousands. In addition, he helps lead fundraising efforts for the organization’s two biggest events, the Snow Bowl and Polar Plunge.

A member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, GEICO is a stable company that was founded 85 years ago. The company’s Total Rewards benefits package includes health, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and holidays, paid bonding leave and continuing education and tuition reimbursement.

When asked what he tells people about GEICO, DeVore answered, “Advancement and compensation are great. But it doesn’t mean much if you don’t love where you work. In Buffalo, it’s really the people that you work with that make this a dream job. GEICO is unique because everyone you work with are individuals and encouraged to be so – and you become close with them. I’ve worked a third of my life with some of these coworkers and built lifelong relationships.”

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