Firefighters can count on him

Mokashi is a Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India agent and all the 250-odd firemen of Thane are on his long client list.

“If a fireman in Thane gets an insurance policy then it has to be from Mokashi. We trust him for all our insurance needs,” said Datta Khade a fireman. Besides offering condolence,Mokashi had come to convey to the firemen that families of the deceased need not worry about claiming the insurance as he would complete all formalities. As a matter of fact,Mokashi has already kept the files ready and is waiting for the families to hand over the policy certificates before the insurance amount can be paid.

“The LIC is treating it as a very special case and will hand over the insurance amount a day after formalities are completed,” said Mokashi.

However,he is not rushing things as the bereaved kin are still in a state of shock and do not have the inclination to deal in financial matters.

Though Mokashi’s portfolio boasts a 5,000-plus client list he knows all of them,including the deceased firemen,by their initials. “Fireman Jamadar had visited my office for a new policy in September,” said Mokashi.

Ask him about his first client and he says: “Ravindra Kanare was my first client. He used to work in a perfume factory at Thane. I am still in touch with him,” said Mokashi.

He opened his first account in Thane fire brigade as a college student in 1979. “The fire brigade office was on my way to college and I happened to talk about insurance to a fireman. S N Marathe invited to me to his house and became my first client in the Thane fire brigade.

Marathe retired two years ago. Now,firemen trust me so much that they do not go anywhere else for their insurance needs,” said Mokashi.

Mokashi’s father Madhav Mokashi,after retirement from LIC,had continued as an agent. Mokashi found it natural to follow in the footsteps of his father. Now his son Abhijit,a banking and insurance graduate is also an agent working with him.

Mokashi also has 2,500 Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) employees on his client list. Even after 30 years as an agent he manages to grow his business by adding 200-300 new ones every year. He has been a member of the elite Chairman’s Club of LIC for the last 20 years for doing exceptional business.

“Selling policies is not just about paper work and technicalities. It is about building relationships with clients. For my clients I am not merely an agent. I am a friend,philosopher and guide,” said Mokashi.