Insuring the Future- Larra Ferguson Reflects on 10 Years of Service

Insuring the Future

Larra Ferguson Reflects on 10 Years of Service

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

For Larra Ferguson, the path into the insurance industry was not something she planned from the very beginning. Yet a decade after stepping into the business, the local Allstate insurance agent has built a reputation centered on trust, community relationships and helping families protect what matters most. As Ferguson celebrates 10 years in the insurance industry, she reflects on the journey that brought her there and how the insurance business itself has evolved over the years.

Before entering insurance, Ferguson spent years working in sales and other professional fields. But after becoming a mother, her priorities shifted.

“I worked in sales and other fields before I had my daughters,” Ferguson said. “When Macy was a baby, I was doing pharmaceutical sales and traveling all the time. Eventually, I decided to completely stop working so I could be a stay-at-home mom and focus on raising the girls.”

For years, Ferguson dedicated herself fully to family life. But as her daughters became older and more independent, she began to feel ready for a new challenge.

“When Macy turned 16, both of my daughters were heavily involved in tennis,” she said. “They would get out of school and spend most evenings at practice or matches during the week. They didn’t need me to travel with them or be as involved in their daily schedules anymore. So I told my husband, ‘I think I want to go back to work now.’”

Ferguson knew she wanted a career that still allowed flexibility for her family while giving her the independence to build something of her own. “I knew I needed to do something where I could still have flexibility and essentially be my own boss, because I wanted to continue being available for my family while building something for myself,” she said.

That opportunity came unexpectedly when she learned that longtime local insurance agent John Ross was preparing to retire and sell his agency.

“We started exploring different opportunities and heard that John Ross, who owned my agency at the time, was planning to retire and sell the business,” Ferguson said. “We talked about it, and I thought, ‘I think I can do that.’ So we met with him, and Matt and I eventually purchased the agency. That’s really how I ended up in the insurance business.”

Although Ferguson entered the field without extensive insurance experience, she embraced the challenge and quickly immersed herself in learning the industry.

“At the time, I didn’t have much insurance experience, but they put me through all the training and education I needed,” she said. “John also agreed to stay on for a while—initially for about a year—to help everyone transition and get comfortable with me taking over. He had been in the business for 44 years, so it was definitely a big change for many of the clients who had worked with him for so long.”

Ten years later, Ferguson says one of the biggest changes in the insurance industry has been the increasing reliance on technology. Customers can now file claims online, manage policies through mobile apps and receive quotes within minutes. While those conveniences have made insurance more accessible, Ferguson believes personal relationships still matter just as much as ever.

“There’s so much more automation now,” Ferguson explained. “People can shop online instantly, but insurance isn’t always something that should be handled with one click. Every family’s situation is different, and having someone local who can explain coverage and answer questions still matters.”

She says rising construction costs, inflation and severe weather events have also changed the way people think about insurance coverage. Policies that may have been sufficient years ago may no longer provide enough protection today.

“I tell people upfront that if they’re simply looking for the cheapest insurance possible, we may not always be the right fit,” Ferguson said. “There’s a difference between a low price and good value. I never want someone to end up in a lawsuit down the road because they didn’t have proper coverage or find themselves unable to rebuild their home the way they need to because they weren’t adequately insured.”

That philosophy has helped Ferguson build long-term relationships with clients throughout the community. Rather than focusing strictly on price, she focuses on educating customers and helping them make informed decisions.

“I’ve always believed in doing what’s right for people, and I think that pays off in the long run,” she said.

Ferguson also credits much of her success to the people around her, including her staff and the community that supported her from the beginning.

“I also couldn’t do this alone,” she said. “My staff and I have been fortunate to have tremendous support from the community, and that support has meant everything to us.”

As she marks a decade in the insurance business, Ferguson says she remains grateful for the relationships she has built and excited about the future. While the industry continues to evolve with changing technology and customer expectations, her approach remains rooted in the same principles that guided her from the start: honesty, service and putting people first.