Business Details
Your Trusted Local Insurance Partner in Palo, IA
Founded in 1874, West Side Mutual Insurance Association has served Linn County, Iowa, and surrounding areas with a commitment to local investment and community growth. Our focus on keeping funds within Iowa ensures personalized service and job creation for residents. With over 150 years of experience, we specialize in homeowners and farm-owners property insurance across 21 Iowa counties. Our team prioritizes transparency, ethical practices, and direct communication with policyholders. By maintaining strong ties to the communities we serve, we deliver reliable coverage tailored to local needs.Our office hours provide consistent availability Monday through Friday, with adjusted summer hours for convenience. As a member of Grinnell Mutual, we combine regional expertise with broader industry resources. Our claims process emphasizes prompt action, documentation guidance, and collaboration with licensed professionals when necessary. We strictly adhere to secure communication protocols, requiring direct contact with agents for policy changes. Our longstanding reputation reflects a dedication to customer satisfaction and community stewardship.
Services
Homeowners Insurance
Farm-owners Insurance
Property Insurance
Claims Adjusting
Community Investment
Highlights and features
- We prioritize local investment, keeping 90% of funds within Iowa communities.
- Our team offers over 150 years of combined regional insurance expertise.
- We maintain transparent communication protocols for policy changes and claims.
- Our claims process includes guidance for documentation and licensed professionals.
- We combine local knowledge with Grinnell Mutual's industry resources.
Services
Homeowners Insurance
We provide comprehensive homeowners insurance covering property damage, personal belongings, and liability protection. Our policies cater to Iowa residents' specific needs, including severe weather risks. With local adjusters and prompt claims processing, we ensure timely support during emergencies while maintaining competitive rates for long-term security.
Farm-owners Insurance
Our farm-owners insurance protects agricultural properties against crop loss, equipment damage, and livestock risks. Policies include coverage for barns, machinery, and liability from farm operations. We offer specialized support for livestock postmortem examinations and customized solutions for Iowa's diverse farming communities through experienced underwriters.
Claims Adjusting
We handle property claims with detailed documentation guidance and timely inspections. Our process requires immediate agent contact, photo evidence, and repair receipts for accurate settlements. Adjusters prioritize urgent cases like theft or natural disasters, coordinating with law enforcement and veterinarians when necessary to validate claims efficiently.
Community Investment
We reinvest 90% of premiums into Iowa communities through job creation and local business partnerships. Our operations maintain regional economic stability while providing policyholder discounts for safety improvements. This approach strengthens community resilience against disasters through shared resources and localized decision-making.
Policy Management
We offer direct policy adjustments through licensed agents, ensuring compliance with state regulations. Our services include coverage modifications, premium payments, and policy renewals with transparent documentation. We maintain secure communication channels for account management while providing educational resources about insurance options and risk mitigation strategies.
People
Marty Satterlee
President
Marty Satterlee leads with over 25 years of insurance experience, focusing on community-driven policies. He oversees strategic growth while maintaining local investment principles. His leadership emphasizes ethical practices and customer-centric decision-making.
Clay Schulte
Vice President
Clay Schulte manages daily operations and policy compliance. With expertise in risk assessment, he ensures regulatory adherence while supporting agent training programs. His approach balances financial responsibility with personalized client service.
Ron Schulte
Treasurer
Ron Schulte oversees financial operations, maintaining fiscal stability through prudent investment strategies. He manages budget allocations and ensures transparent reporting practices that align with organizational goals and community needs.
Jane Rose
Claims Adjuster
Jane Rose handles complex claims with attention to detail and policyholder support. Her expertise includes damage assessment and dispute resolution, ensuring fair settlements while maintaining efficient processing times for urgent cases.
James DeWolf
Underwriter
James DeWolf evaluates risk profiles to create tailored insurance solutions. With deep knowledge of Iowa's agricultural risks, he develops policies that balance affordability with comprehensive coverage for homeowners and farmers.
Questions
How do I file a claim after property damage?
Contact your agent immediately to report the claim. Document damage with photos, make temporary repairs, and provide receipts for any expenses related to the loss.
What Iowa counties do you serve?
We insure properties in Benton, Blackhawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Henry, Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Poweshiek, Tama, and Washington counties.
Can I make policy changes online?
No, we require direct agent contact for policy modifications to ensure accurate documentation and compliance with insurance regulations.
What payment methods do you accept?
Payment options include check, bank transfer, or credit card. Contact our office staff for specific payment processing details and deadlines.
Do you offer discounts for safety features?
Yes, we provide premium reductions for homes with security systems, updated electrical systems, and other risk-mitigation features.
Reviews (3)
Thomas Larsen
Jun 02, 2021
Report
Took about 3 months to decline virtually all losses on my house after the derecho. They were however quick to follow up with a letter notifying me that my insurance is going to be cancelled and non renewable as of December because of "claim activity". Stay far away from these guys. They are definitely crooks. Hire out rude independent adjusters that try to get them to pay little to no money for claims.
Drew Fober
Apr 19, 2021
Report
Really appreciate their knowledge, attentiveness, and helping me understand the coverage. Clay has been a great help over the years and we've had many different types of coverage through them.
Teresa Walker
Feb 15, 2020
Report
Clay was very friendly and shared stories about local popular places in the area. He was not rushed and able to share pertinent information. He photo copied a picture of my Dad's house for me from decades ago. He came out to my house promptly and detailed the difference between two possible policies! I am extremely happy to have him serve as my insurance agent!
