My name is Elke van der Plas and I work as a Fire, Transport & Liability specialist at Schouten Zekerheid. As a specialist, I (re)assess risks in the field of business non-life insurance. I issue quotations, take care of processing insurance data and provide correct coverage through proper purchasing. Maintaining contact with the client and advisor is of great importance.

Six years ago I started at Schouten Zekerheid in the role of Account Management employee. Having just become a mother of a second daughter, I was looking for an employer close to home that felt good and where I could eventually grow. But only when the kids would be in elementary school in a few years. Thanks to the confidence I gained, this happened much faster than expected. Two years later I already made the transition to the Fire, Transport & Liability Affinity Groups team and later within Risk Management. I am now going to specialize more in the area of Fire, which gives me more depth.

I am very happy with where I am in combination with my busy private life (mother of 3). Every day I am still learning. What's the great thing about Affinity Groups? We work for the members of industry associations, for example the hairdresser, restaurateur or market vendor. These seem like very standardized risks, yet it's always just a little bit different. The barber may also have an espresso bar, the catering man also sells clothes, or the market vendor also teaches courses. Can we get this covered in the standard packages we offer or do we have to digress? How big is the turnover generated from these activities? All questions that you, as a specialist, must get the answers to in order to then issue the right coverage.

During the time I have been working at Schouten Zekerheid , I have come to know the family business as a company that is very committed to its employees and really does its best to listen and support, but most of all to provide conviviality.