Lori J. Mikelson Agency (L to R) Jayda Johnson, Lori Optiz and Amber Pelletier are ready to help with local insurance needs.

The Lori J. Mickelson Agency is ready to help you with your American Family Insurance needs. It is located at 1823 South Broadway in New Ulm.

Lori Opitz took over an existing insurance agency in 2008 under her maiden name of Lori J. Mickelson. Even though she was married in 2012 and legally changed her last name, she continues to manage the agency under her maiden name which means that the Lori J. Mickelson Agency is the DBA (Doing Business As) name.

In addition to Lori, the team at American Family Insurance of New Ulm includes Amber Pelletier and Michael Optiz (Lori’s husband) as licensed insurance advisors. Jayda Johnson works part-time as receptionist as part of the New Ulm Public Schools Career and Technical Education intern experience program.

Lori began to train as an agency owner in July 2008 by attending a new agent training program in Columbus, Ohio. She began her agency career with American Family Insurance in October after she acquired her property, casualty, life, accident and health insurance licenses through the state of Minnesota. At that time, she was located at 1401 South Broadway, only about four blocks from where her agency is today.

She is also licensed in additional states, which allows her agency an opportunity to continue to service existing clients as well as acquire new ones through referrals.

In November 2021, Lori signed a purchase agreement with Frandsen Bank and Trust to purchase their building at 1823 South Broadway. She took possession of it in January 2022; however, it was May 1, 2022, before her agency moved into the building and the renovations were completed.

They changed the interior of the building from a bank setup to an insurance agency office by removing the teller stations and redesigning the reception area. They also did some cosmetic changes by painting, changing the flooring, installing new cabinets, and building in a third office. Two offices were already in the building.

They also kept the bank’s drive thru which is used to service clients with minimal needs such as making a payment or needing an insurance card, etc..

“It is also handy for clients when it is cold outside and they don’t need to leave their car, and for families with small children so they do not have to get them out of the car. I have only seen one other insurance agency in the surrounding area that has a drive thru. We are happy to have one here,” said Lori.

The agency is a full service agency with American Family Insurance. They can help you with your insurance needs for life, home/renters, auto, business, farm, motorcycle, ATV, watercraft, camper, snowmobile, umbrella coverage, and some commercial insurance.

Lori added, “We always have growth as a goal. We will probably look to expand by hiring another insurance advisor. We also want to continue to be more involved in the community and to continue to provide service to people with insurance needs. We want to provide trusted advice for how we can protect them and what they can do to protect themselves.”

“The community has been very supportive. I feel grateful for the support that we have with our clients and the community in general.”