“Insurance Fun” is how the team at Michele Vanags State Farm in Evergreen, Colorado, refers to their daily work… and they mean it!
Michele Vanags was working as an office manager at a cable TV company in her hometown of Zionsville, Indiana. After working with a local State Farm agent on cable advertising, she was asked to join his team as office manager. In May of 1987, she began her career with State Farm and hasn’t looked back since.
Michele branched out on her own in November 2010, opening her own State Farm Insurance agency in the Evergreen Safeway Shopping center. In April of 2021, she acquired the State Farm office building on the corner of Hilltop Drive and the Evergreen Parkway frontage road, which has been transferred down through several generations of local State Farm agents. Today, the Michele Vanags State Farm agency is home to five agent team members and over 60 years of combined experience. And this team has what it takes to assist customers with all of their insurance and financial needs as State Farm Insurance Company celebrates its 100th year in business providing good neighbor service and protection in our wildfire community.
Focusing on individual and family needs, Michele meets with her customers one-on-one to discuss life changes, what-ifs, and planning for their future. She is passionate about her agency and what she does every day. “I love working with my customers to educate them, to reach their goals, and to help them protect their family from the unexpected,” Michele states. She looks at the whole picture and can advise on ways to protect income and assets through a variety of options, specializing in life insurance, long-term care and retirement as well as offering competitive home purchase or refinance options through Rocket Mortgage, State Farm’s mortgage partner.
Michele has lived in Evergreen since 2003, where she has raised her two kids and been very active in the Evergreen community. She is a member of the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, Evergreen Rotary, and is a board member of Active 4 All. She spends a lot of her time supporting community partners like Evergreen Animal Protective League, Blue Spruce Kiwanis, Mount Evans Hospice, donating to the local public schools, and you can often catch her volunteering on the weekends.
The Michele Vanags Team can assist customers with all that State Farm has to offer including auto, home, renters, umbrella, business, life, disability and hospital income policies, and much more. With five licensed agents available, you can be certain to receive excellent service. In the office you will find Michele, Britt Bergstedt and Elaine Van Jaarsveld, with the other three team members working remotely: Karla Capoferri, Janet Runnalls and Laurel Wiedower.
Office Manager Britt Bergstedt has been with State Farm locally since 2012 and has learned something new every day since. “The most important thing I have learned is that there are ways not only to mitigate or reduce risk, but also to insure properly in order to help someone recover in the event of a loss,” says Britt. Her 10 years of experience allows her to assist both existing and new customers with anything they may need. Britt is a Colorado native and Evergreen resident since 2008; she has raised her two daughters in our community and enjoys all this beautiful mountain town has to offer.
Elaine is the newest member of the Michele Vanags team, and has previous experience in the insurance industry. Elaine’s main focus is on helping existing customers with their current policies including updating addresses, applying payments, adding new vehicles or new drivers, and renters insurance, just to name a few. “I like being able to help people through the claims process. This is when they need us the most,” Elaine says. She has lived in Evergreen since 2017, but recently purchased her first condo in Highlands Ranch.
Karla joined the Michele Vanags Team in Evergreen over nine years ago and moved to Idaho in late 2020, where she continues to provide her valuable experience while working remotely. “I think there is a misconception that working in this industry is boring—it’s not!” she says. Karla reflects on the past nine years of her career with Michele Vanags State Farm: “I started my career in 2013. Prior to getting into the business, I had no clue what coverage my husband and I really carried. I realized my first day at work that we were underinsured. So, over the years, I have tried to translate insurance for our customers into a language they will understand.” Karla’s knowledge is put to good use with both new and existing customers on getting them properly insured and helping them really understand what their policies can do for them.
Team Member Janet has been with State Farm in Colorado since 2013. Previously an Evergreen resident since 1998, she now works remotely from Buena Vista, where she moved in 2015. Janet says, “It is fun to help our customers with insurance for their first car, first home, or their forever home. Working with State Farm allows us to build relationships within our community, and I am grateful for that.” Janet learned early on just how important having the correct coverage with the right insurance company really matters. “Every customer is different, which means their needs are different. Insurance is much more than just having what is required by law or by a bank; it should be tailored for each individual and their family’s needs.” Janet’s experience and expertise comes through in every customer interaction. She is dedicated to making sure each and every customer gets the information and coverage they need.
Laurel began her career with Michele’s team in January of 2021 as marketing coordinator. You may have seen her out and about at events such as EAPL Zombie 5K Run or the Kiwanis Cornhole Tournament. Her passion for giving back to the community has made her an invaluable asset to the team.
Michele’s team is a very dedicated, tight-knit group of experienced, knowledgeable, licensed insurance agents. They are committed to educating and protecting customers in our wildfire community, they communicate daily with each other, attend weekly team meetings, and annually the team gathers for two days for an office retreat to improve processes, discuss industry changes, and plan for the year ahead. There is no doubt this team works hard, works together to help their customers, and always has a good time doing just that.
