Be Kind. Stay Connected. Grow with us.
As people rush to Amazon for the best Black Friday deals, a lot of shoppers don’t realize Saturday is Small Business Saturday. American Express introduced the initiative in 2010 to raise awareness around supporting local business owners and, by its second year, in 2011 the Small Business Administration partnered to promote it.
Now in its 15th year, the message behind Small Business Saturday is more important than ever. According to data from the SBA Office of Advocacy, 99.9% of businesses in the US are considered “small-to-midsize,” with fewer than 500 employees
Your Wholesale General Insurance Agency: Local Service, National Support
When DBL Center founder David Cohen used to travel for insurance sales, he always tried to stay in boutique hotels across the US. Smaller, upscale boutiques offer something unique compared to the chains, from the food to the décor to the service.
While you can get exemplary service at any five-star luxury hotel, boutiques offer that next level of personalization – and often for less than you’d pay at a luxury chain.
When David Cohen launched The DBL Center in 1976, he wanted to bring that same level of personalization to statutory insurance sales. At that time, he helped businesses privatize DBL in New York, TDB in New Jersey, and, shortly after, TDI in Hawaii.
Businesses save money thanks to The DBL Center’s relationships with top-rated carriers and receive personalized service through The DBL Center’s small team.
Today, even as our team expands rapidly, we deliver that same quality of service and wholesale pricing on a full line of statutory benefits, which now includes PFML in many states, and ancillary products, including Dental, Vision, and Group Life / AD&D.
A Legacy of Human Connection
Back then, just as it is now, connections were the key to a successful insurance firm. David Cohen would travel to meet his clients face to face. When The DBL Center began offering Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) in Hawaii, he got on a plane to meet with the top businesses in the state.
In 2025, The DBL Center CEO Michael Cohen has been to Massachusetts, Colorado, Oregon and several other states as they roll out Paid Family and Medical Leave programs. We also have team members in New Jersey, Connecticut and other states across the northeast, making it easier to stay connected with our clients across the region.
Building Relationships as an Insurance Broker
As the holidays approach, it’s the ideal time to reach out to your clients, share your gratitude for their ongoing business and support and forge or strengthen their personal connections.
Maybe it’s asking about their kids, their favorite sports team, or a recent trip they took. Finding personal ground is the first step in any networking environment. If you’re a veteran in this industry, you probably have clients who you already consider friends.
If you’re just getting started, you’ll learn how these connections create repeat business.
People work with people they trust. Just like boutique hotels that go the extra mile to cater to their guests’ tastes, brokers who provided tailored solutions to employee benefit challenges will win clients.
Technology That Connects
The DBL Center maintains our people-centric business model. And we’ve evolved technology to help us do our jobs better and faster so that we can focus on our broker and carrier relationships.
Our Broker Dashboard: Net Revenue Tracker provides push notifications to remind brokers of pending cancellations and renewals, while tracking commissions easily. We’re set to announce some exciting enhancements in 2026, so stay tuned.
We’ll also introduce customized marketing reports that make it easier for you to spot risk gaps in your clients’ coverage and affordable ways to fill those gaps through ancillary and voluntary worksite benefits.
These tools set us, and our brokers, apart, helping to streamline operations so you can focus on building your book-of-business.
Sharing Gratitude
As we prepare to enter the time of year marked by holiday celebrations, parties, and family time, we want to thank you, our brokers, for your continued business.
If you’re not working with us yet, reach out now to discover the advantages an insurance wholesaler brings to your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Small Business Saturday important in the insurance industry?
American Express and the Small Business Administration recognize the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday, a counterpoint to mass-market sales during Black Friday, enticing people to “shop small.”
Insurance brokers, too, can benefit from the advantages of a white-glove wholesale general agency that provides concierge level service. Even as The DBL Center continues to expand nationwide with statutory Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) programs, our roots as a boutique, family-run business guide how we operate. Growth hasn’t changed our commitment to individualized service.
Brokers receive direct access to real people, fast answers, and personalized support, hallmarks of small business service. That level of connection is what Small Business Saturday celebrates, and it’s what our founder David Cohen built into the company from day one.
What tools and technology should brokers expect from an insurance wholesaler?
The DBL Center team continues to enhance the Broker Dashboard: Net Revenue Tracker with new reporting features and integration updates. These improvements help brokers stay connected to their clients, track commissions more efficiently, and identify opportunities for growth in both statutory benefits and ancillary lines.
What is New York State DBL and why is it important for small businesses?
New York State Disability Benefits Law (NYS DBL) provides partial wage replacement for employees who cannot work due to an off-the-job illness or injury. Because most U.S. companies are small businesses, offering compliant DBL coverage ensures they meet state requirements and protect their workforce. Many employers work with brokers who partner with an insurance wholesaler like The DBL Center to secure competitive rates and better service.
How does an insurance wholesaler help brokers sell more NYS DBL and PFL policies?
An insurance wholesaler gives brokers access to multiple top-rated carriers, consolidated billing, and back-office support. The DBL Center also provides marketing reports and tools like the Broker Dashboard: Net Revenue Tracker, helping brokers manage their NYS DBL, Paid Family Leave (PFL), and PFML book more efficiently and identify opportunities to grow. These services save brokers time and help them retain small to mid-size business clients.
