With a keen understanding that insurance is a critical component of any risk management strategy, this professional is committed to delivering tailored solutions that meet each client’s unique needs; Karim Chandani has a proven track record of success and a passion for providing exceptional service. He ensures clients receive the support they need to protect their assets and achieve their goals.
As the Vice President of Real Estate & Hospitality at HUB International Limited, Karim is a highly dedicated and solution-focused insurance expert, prioritizing providing clients with the highest level of service and creative solutions.
HUB International Limited is a leading provider of advice and services to businesses and individuals, offering guidance on achieving their goals. When clients partner with HUB, they access a vast network of risk, insurance, employee benefits, retirement, and wealth management specialists who work together to provide tailored solutions and unwavering advocacy.
Let us have a look through Karim’s distinctive way towards success that makes him an impactful business leader.
The Journey
Karim and his family arrived in Canada as refugees from East Africa half a century ago, and he feels deeply grateful to call it his home. During his teenage years, he worked in his family’s convenience store business and learned about sales while working in the fashion industry. Karim was an entrepreneur for over three decades, experiencing both successes and failures.
Despite being 50 years old, Karim decided to start a new career in the insurance industry, joining the insurance world nine years ago. He quickly realized that his sales and networking skills were highly transferable, and as a former business owner, he had a solid understanding of cost management. Karim strives to meet all his client’s needs, going beyond just insurance, and thinks of each client’s business as his own.
Karim’s work has taken him from insuring automobiles to some of the largest hotels in Canada and working with real estate owners across North America. The learning curve has been steep, but Karim has enjoyed every minute of the ride. His passion for his work and clients is evident, and he takes pride in providing the best service possible.
Gaining Experience
Reflecting on his journey in the insurance industry, Karim acknowledges that when he started nine years ago, he needed more experience and in-depth knowledge of the industry. However, he discovered that this worked to his advantage, as the insurance industry constantly evolves and requires innovative solutions.
Over the years, Karim faced many challenges, including navigating the impact of Covid-19 with his clients. However, he viewed these challenges as opportunities to demonstrate his value and provide exceptional service. For example, with the continued trend of higher insurance premiums, Karim worked closely with his clients to ensure they valued their properties for the correct limits.
Karim also leveraged the vast resources of his company, working collaboratively with a team of 15,000 talented professionals across North America. He turned to their risk services team, who were well-positioned to assist clients with the challenges they faced in these difficult geopolitical and economic times. Karim’s ability to adapt and innovate has made him a valuable asset to his clients and company.
Driving the Change
Karim’s experience as a past business owner has given him a unique perspective and appreciation for his client’s challenges. This has inspired him to work harder and be more creative in serving his clients’ needs. He understands that his role goes beyond an insurance broker’s and often connects clients with the right people, tools, and resources to solve their business problems.
Karim feels fortunate to have friends and family who own hotels and real estate holdings across North America. They have helped him better understand their challenges and realities, including staffing issues, ADR, cost controls, and restaurant operations. By taking the time to understand his client’s business challenges and extract best practices, Karim can add value by sharing those solutions with other clients facing similar issues.
Karim’s approach is focused on building long-term relationships with his clients, earning their trust, and exceeding their expectations. He understands that his success is directly tied to his client’s success, and he takes pride in helping them achieve their goals. He says, “I also rely heavily on HUB International’s Speciality Practice in Hospitality and Real Estate who constantly produce whitepapers and resource materials which give our clients an edge, with better insights into rates, market conditions, and the overall market.”
Foundational Pillars
HUB International Limited advises businesses and individuals on how to reach their goals. When you partner with us, you’re at the center of a vast network of risk, insurance, employee benefits, retirement, and wealth management specialists that bring clarity to a changing world with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy.
HUB International understands that the world constantly changes, and businesses and individuals face evolving risks and challenges. That’s why they take a collaborative and client-focused approach, working closely with each client to understand their unique needs and develop customized solutions that address their concerns.
With a reputation for excellence and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, HUB is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence and peace of mind. Whether managing risk, protecting assets or planning for the future, HUB is a trusted partner that clients can rely on to provide expert guidance and support every step of the way.
HUB International Limited is guided by core values that shape how they do business and interact with clients and partners. These values include:
Entrepreneurship: HUB encourages innovation and educated risk-taking. They recognize the importance of creative thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit in a rapidly changing world and strive to foster these qualities in their team and clients.
Integrity: HUB believes in doing the right thing every time. They maintain the highest ethical standards and conduct business with transparency and honesty. Clients and partners can trust that HUB will always act in their best interests and uphold their commitments.
Teamwork: HUB understands the value of working together to maximize results. They foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone’s contributions are valued and respected. This approach enables HUB to deliver the best possible outcomes for its clients.
Accountability: HUB takes responsibility for its actions and outcomes. They measure their performance against their commitments and hold themselves accountable for delivering results. This accountability extends to all aspects of their business, from client relationships to operational efficiency.
HUB International’s mission is to protect and support the aspirations of individuals, families, and businesses and empower its employees to learn, grow and make a difference in their communities. It envisions vetting everywhere risk exists – today and tomorrow.
Expected Changes
The risk services team at HUB International is dedicated to understanding clients’ evolving needs in various industries, including hospitality. Through collaboration with clients, producers, and industry experts, the team provides valuable insights and recommendations to ensure clients receive the best possible service and solutions.
The hospitality industry is constantly changing, and HUB is committed to staying on top of these changes to provide clients with the most up-to-date information and guidance. Four trending areas in the hospitality industry include:
More personalization: Hotels increasingly focus on providing guests with unique and tailored experiences that meet their needs and preferences.
The continued growth of luxury brands: As demographics and lifestyles change, luxury hotels are expanding to cater to the changing demands of their customer base.
Labor issues: Finding and retaining skilled talent remains a challenge for the hospitality industry, and HUB is dedicated to providing clients with solutions to help address these issues.
Focus on wellness and well-being: More and more hotels are looking to offer guests spa holidays and other wellness-focused experiences to promote overall health and well-being.
Heading into Future
Karim’s mission as an insurance broker at HUB International is to educate and persuade clients on the implications and opportunities of their insurance buying decisions. He aims to build the company’s cross-border capabilities, help clients understand how climate change will affect their insurance premiums, and ensure they fully appreciate the importance of insuring their properties to their total values.
Karim believes that it is critical for clients to have the proper business interruption limits in place in the event of a significant loss. He works to increase their awareness of the importance of having the appropriate insurance, emphasizing that if they are not buying the proper insurance, it may be pointless to buy insurance at all, as they will not receive total compensation in the event of a loss. Karim’s goal is to provide his clients with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy, putting them at the center of a vast network of specialists and resources to help them reach their goals.
Encouraging Tomorrow
Karim believes that nurturing clients is crucial to being a successful leader. He advises the next generation of aspiring leaders to always be there for their clients when needed, regardless of the time or day. According to Karim, staying close to clients and continually offering them knowledge, insights, and solutions is essential to building solid, long-lasting relationships.
“Remember that you work as part of a team, so bring your greatness to the team’s benefit – engage your team and show them what success could look like and build a vision together. Build & maintain trust with your clients – even when you have to deliver bad news, do it early and proactively. Be ready with facts and help them understand why certain decisions are being made, even price increases. Finally, connect your clients to others who can help them – if you find a great banker or realtor, introduce them and connect them,” Karim concludes.
