Where Personal Meets Professional
By Pamela Dey Vossler
980 Post Rd. #A Darien, CT 06820 • (203) 655-7677 • www.crossprivateclient.com
A boutique Personal Lines Insurance Agency that focuses solely on Personal Risk Management for successful individuals.
When critical events occur such as fire, water intrusion, auto accident, theft, lawsuits, where do you turn? Who has your back? Family? That lucky handful of friends who will take your call any time, day or night? Perhaps. Or maybe it’s someone with the connections and knowledge to help you find a way through the crisis.
What if all this was in one team, one company? Enter Cross Private Client Insurance led by Senior Vice President Ryan Garrity. Based in Darien with locations also in Ridgefield, CT, Duxbury, MA and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Cross Private Client insurance is focused solely on Personal Risk Management for financially stable families and individuals and the protection of their assets at risk. Part of Cross Insurance Company, a top 20 Insurance Agency,* and its deep market access, Cross Private Client Insurance offers highly customized insurance programs for homes, cars, boats and collections, as well as large limits of excess liability.
Though branded for the man who started the parent company in 1954, the Cross Private Client Insurance name also aptly captures the way the agency transects the deep concern, authenticity and unconditional trust you get from someone you’ve known all your life with the sharp knowledge and proactive ability of a best-in-class resource, particularly through the leadership of Garrity.
And no wonder.
Anyone who played golf competitively for 17 years, serving numerous private club memberships as a golf professional along the way, as Garrity did, has the composure to handle any crisis. Steady under pressure and strategic, Garrity and his staff of 12 licensed professionals are able to able to see beyond the next hole, proactively structuring safeguards so they are there when you need them most.
“Our job is to provide clients what they want before they ask for it,” said Garrity of a service mantra instilled in him by esteemed golf professional Bob Ford while working at Pennsylvania’s Oakmont Country Club during his first three years as a PGA Professional.
“This mantra drives our daily workflow,” he continued. “Review and planning before an annual renewal date, remarketing an account when underwriting rules or rates have changed on a particular set of risks, etc.,” said Garrity who transitioned into the insurance industry after leaving golf, beginning with Tequesta Insurance Advisors, a Marsh & McLennan Agency, in South Florida. He moved to Connecticut in 2013 where he refined his focus to personal lines at the suggestion of Sandy Rand, another legendary mentor. In 2018 Garrity earned a CAPI (Certified Advisor of Personal Insurance) designation via The Aresty Institute at the Wharton School and in 2017 he received one of the first 150 CPRIA designations from the Private Risk Managers Association.
A 10-year resident of Darien with his wife Pam, whom he met at Wee Burn Country Club in 2005 while working there, and their four children, Garrity and his family are involved with town organizations including the Darien Arts Center, the Boy Scouts of America, Darien Youth Lacrosse, Darien Little League, and as a Board Member of the Darien Chamber of Commerce to name a few. Pam actively monitors a social media page for local moms.
Gratified to live and serve in the community where he works, Garrity said, “Doing business in Darien gives us the ability to contribute locally but have global reach.”
The high point, however, for all at Cross Private Client Insurance is, “following through after a claim,” said Garrity, “showing up ASAP in person for major claims that require a second set of eyes or special assistance. That separates us,” he continued. “An 800 number, a website or the average independent agent is not driving four hours to visit a total fire loss, or flying from Connecticut to Florida to visit a claim site post hurricane,” he added, explaining the thrill of going through the forensic details, verifying the policy language is in place, and making sure clients get everything they are entitled to.
“It’s very rewarding,” said Garrity. “Creativity, an honest sense of empathy and some effort—they matter,” he concluded.
For more information about Cross Private Client Insurance, visit crossprivateclient.com or contact Ryan Garrity at 203-655-7677 or ryan.garrity@crossprivateclient.com.
*Source: 2022 AM Best Rankings
