Nick Romo protecting against the odds

Growing up in the southeast side of Chicago, Ithaca State Farm Insurance agent Nick Romo has always loved baseball, the Cubs in particular. 

“I lived in the city, a bike ride to the Indiana border,” Nick said. “During college, I was volunteering for a distant relative, who was running against Barack Obama for the Illinois Senate. During the candidates’ debate, Barack Obama came over to us and shook our hands. I was impressed by his courtesy and bearing. And the rest is history.”

Nick said he visited Ithaca in 2010 and immediately liked the community. In the intervening years before Nick opened up shop in Ithaca, he worked in business development and sales. 

“Working for a large, international company, I traveled all over New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,” Nick said. “I got to go to lots of baseball games, but I never found another town more appealing than Ithaca. … I do miss seeing the Cubs play, but while professional sports are curtailed, I’m getting to know and enjoy my new home base.” 

Not long ago, Nick opened his State Farm Insurance office on Tioga Street, right across the street from the courthouse. 

“I did an intensive four-month training program in the State Farm headquarters in the Midwest first,” he said. “Since then, my first three years in Ithaca have been great. I am pleased to offer the protection of a well-known, well-established company to Ithaca, with lots of local customer service, which I am convinced is a good match.”

Nick told of Southern Tier clients who came to him to purchase life insurance. One man purchased a modest life insurance policy on his life, for the protection of his long-time fiancee, soon to be his wife. Tragically, the policy owner died suddenly before the wedding. But for his grieving fiancee, the proceeds of that policy meant she didn’t lose their home.  

“I was so glad to deposit the proceeds of her loved one’s policy into her bank account,” Nick said. “When tragedy hits, in the midst of the grief the survivors are living through, insurance can protect their ability to stay in college, continue the payments on their home, on their car. That safety net can make all the difference to maintain stability in times of crisis and loss.”

Nick’s office also sells car insurance, disability insurance, pet insurance, computer coverage and identity theft insurance. Policies can be bundled to take advantage of discounts. 

During the pandemic, Nick provides phone consultations to help people evaluate their current situation and recommend a range of policies for their consideration. And the services Nick can provide are fortified by the national services his company offers wherever the insured travel. 

As Nick gets to know homeowners and workers, he mentions his interest in also meeting with young adult groups in their school classes and clubs. He wants to reach young people who may not currently feel drawn to college or to a trade. 

Working in insurance does not require a college degree for entry-level positions, and it is a field that one can work in anywhere in the country. New staff receives intensive training to become licensed in this field, Nick said.