Meet the person you want on your side when policies get real. We sit down with Charles Priest, our new head of Property and Casualty at BC Brokerage, to unpack how a planning‑first mindset turns confusing coverage into clear, confident decisions for households and businesses. Charles brings 16 years of experience helping clients navigate tough choices, manage risk trade‑offs, and pick carriers that stand up when a claim lands—not just when a quote looks cheap.

We start with the basics that most people miss: why umbrella liability is a cornerstone of personal protection, how to right‑size auto and home limits, and the small tweaks that lower friction without raising exposure. For advisors, Charles lays out quick checks that surface red flags fast, from missing umbrellas to deductibles that don’t match cash reserves. Then we move to the commercial side where growth outpaces coverage, and cyber risk demands real defenses. Social engineering and ransomware aren’t fringe threats anymore; they’re everyday business hazards. Charles explains what good cyber insurance should fund—incident response, forensics, notification, restoration, and business interruption—and how to align limits with the data and dollars at stake.

We also dig into timing and markets. The ideal window to shop is roughly 60 days before renewal so we can clarify goals, work with underwriters, and tailor terms. Mid‑term updates can still deliver value with pro‑rated changes. Most of all, we challenge the myth of “apples to apples”: policy wording, exclusions, and claims handling vary widely, and the cheapest option can become the costliest mistake when it matters. If you’re an advisor seeking a smarter P&C partner or a client who wants fewer surprises and better outcomes, this conversation offers a clear path.

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