We’re thrilled to welcome Rachel McArdle to EFM&A as an Insurance Broker. Rachel joined us in November 2024, bringing over 30 years of Property & Casualty insurance experience to the team.
Rachel began her career at the Bruce Lucsok Insurance Agency, where she served clients for 29 years. She continued her successful track record with Amherst Insurance after the agency’s acquisition, always maintaining a reputation for professionalism, client care, and industry knowledge.
Outside the office, Rachel is a dedicated athlete who enjoys running, hiking, and competing in triathlons—a testament to her drive and commitment both personally and professionally.
We’re excited to have Rachel on board and know her experience and passion for service will be a great asset to our clients and team.
EFM&A is proud to welcome Chelsea Craddock to our growing team. Chelsea joined us in December 2024, bringing over seven years of experience in personal lines insurance from her work with InsureOne/Bower Insurance and GEICO.
A graduate of SUNY Brockport with a degree in journalism, Chelsea brings excellent communication skills and a client-first mindset to her role. Her ability to deliver personalized insurance solutions makes her a perfect fit for our team.
A dedicated lifelong learner, Chelsea is currently pursuing her Notary Public certification—and even learning Welsh in her spare time. Outside the office, she enjoys knitting, watching classic black-and-white films, and spending time with her two cats, Diggs and Peanut.
We’re excited to have Chelsea on board and look forward to the energy and expertise she brings to EFM&A!
Did You Know? Key Facts About Natural Disaster Insurance
Many homeowners assume their standard insurance covers all types of disasters—but that’s not the case. Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and wildfires often require separate insurance policies or endorsements.
Despite the growing frequency and severity of these events, less than half of all natural disaster losses are currently insured. In fact, in the 1980s, only about a quarter of such losses had coverage—and we’ve only made modest progress since.
North America, including Central America and the Caribbean, experiences more natural disaster losses than any other region in the world. And floods remain the most common—and most expensive—natural disasters in the United States.
The takeaway? Don’t assume you’re covered. Talk to your account manager to make sure you have the right protection in place for where you live and the risks you face.
How to Prepare Your Insurance Coverage Before Disaster Strikes
With natural disasters on the rise—from hurricanes and floods to wildfires and winter storms—it’s critical to make sure your insurance coverage is ready before the unexpected happens. Follow these four essential steps to assess and strengthen your protection:
Step 1: Review Your Current Policy Many homeowners assume they’re covered for all natural disasters, but standard policies often exclude floods, earthquakes, and sump pump backups. Contact your account manager to clarify what your policy includes—and what it doesn’t.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Risk Based on Location Where you live determines your exposure to specific threats. In New York, that may include flooding, snowstorms, and even earthquakes. Use FEMA’s flood maps and local emergency planning tools to understand your area’s vulnerabilities.
Step 3: Add Supplemental Coverage if Needed If your current policy lacks protection for certain risks, consider these additions:
Flood Insurance (through NFIP or private carriers)
Sump Pump Backup Coverage
Earthquake Insurance
These can usually be added as separate policies or endorsements.
Step 4: Create a Home Inventory After a disaster, a home inventory can make filing a claim faster and more accurate. Take photos or videos of your belongings, save receipts, and store this information in a secure place. Need help getting started? Your account manager can recommend easy-to-use templates.
These proactive steps can help you avoid costly surprises and ensure you’re financially protected if disaster strikes.
Honoring the Careers and Retirement of Ann Wittlinger & Gail McCollum
Emerling Floss Murphy & Associates is proud to honor the remarkable careers and well-earned retirements of two exceptional team members: Ann Wittlinger and Gail McCollum. Their years of service, professionalism, and personal warmth have left a lasting legacy on both our agency and the clients they served.
Ann Wittlinger After more than a decade of dedicated service, Ann Wittlinger, our valued Commercial Lines Account Manager, has retired. Since joining the agency in August 2013, Ann has been a constant source of reliability, knowledge, and positivity. Her journey in the insurance industry began as a Legal Assistant, but her ambition and skill quickly led her to pursue her Broker’s License. Her approachable nature and deep industry knowledge made her a trusted advisor to clients and a respected colleague within the agency.
Ann’s contributions will be missed, but her legacy of excellence continues. Clients formerly under Ann’s care will be contacted shortly to be introduced to their new account manager. We are committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition.
Gail McCollum In August 2024, we also celebrated the retirement of Gail McCollum, who gave 15 years of dedicated service to the agency. Gail joined us in 2009 as a Commercial Lines Account Manager and stepped into a leadership role in 2021, where she became a mentor and support system for her team. Her in-depth expertise and compassionate leadership were cornerstones of her success and deeply appreciated by both staff and clients.
Now living in Cambria, Gail is enjoying retirement by spending time with her husband, four children, their spouses, and five grandchildren. She continues her involvement in ministry at Community Bible Church in Lockport and finds joy in crafting, gardening, and fishing.
We are deeply grateful to both Ann and Gail for their many years of service and meaningful contributions. We wish them happiness, relaxation, and fulfillment in this next chapter of life.
EFM&A proudly announces the appointment of Steven Buzzelli as the Director of Marketing and Medicare Solutions. With a robust background spanning marketing, business development, and expertise in Medicare solutions, Buzzelli brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role.
Steven Buzzelli holds a Bachelor of Science in Health & Fitness from Springfield College, complemented by an MBA from Canisius College. His journey into healthcare and marketing began with notable time at renowned companies such as Northwestern Mutual, BlueCross BlueShield, and Fisher-Price.
In his most recent endeavor, Buzzelli’s role as Director of Marketing and Medicare Solutions at EFM&A commenced in March 2024.
Throughout his career, Buzzelli has established significant partnerships and achieved organizational goals. Notably, he forged a successful collaboration with the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, providing financial education to medical students.
Beyond his professional achievements, Buzzelli is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the Board of Directors of several local organizations. He has been recognized for his philanthropic endeavors, including being named the East Aurora Boys & Girls Club Man of the Year and co-chairing United Way’s Day of Caring for Western New York.
“Joining EFM&A is an exciting opportunity to continue my passion for marketing and contribute to the company’s success,” said Steven Buzzelli. “I look forward to leveraging my experience and skills to drive growth and provide exceptional Medicare solutions for our clients and the community.”
Steven Buzzelli resides in East Aurora, New York, with his wife Anne, where they have raised their children.
His dedication to both professional excellence and community enrichment embodies the values that EFM&A stands for.
Emerling Floss Murphy & Associates has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Western New York by Buffalo Business First.This is our 4th consecutive year receiving this honor, and also the highest ranking we have received in company history.
This is an honor we take seriously at EFM&A because we believe that providing a positive work culture attracting strong talent from the industry while maintaining strong customer service will directly impact the client experience.
Here’s how it works:
Employees are asked to complete the employee engagement survey, which was developed in 2003 by Quantum Workplace, leaders in the field of employee engagement.
The survey measures six key engagement categories: communication, employee needs, manager effectiveness, personal engagement, team dynamic, and trust in leadership.
Companies are ranked according to their overall score.
The total number of survey responses is factored into the overall score. Winners are chosen 100% based on the results of the survey. That means only the employees determine the score.
Emerling Floss Murphy & Associates has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Western New York by Buffalo Business First.
