Kay Dyches
Commercial Lines Underwriter, Atlantic South Region
A Harford County, Md. native, with her Bachelors in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware, Kay joined the Donegal team six years ago, and continues to be a valued asset to our agents in Maryland and Delaware.
Get to know Kay a little more!
A walk back through her career to date…
What is your favorite part about being an underwriter?
“I love learning – dissecting submissions and doing my research on risks, reading coverage forms (yes I really do read them, and enjoy it!), understanding how coverages apply and getting creative with it.”
What are your favorite ways to connect with agents?
“Picking up the phone and talking to my agents on a personal level is important to me. I like to hear about their hobbies, families, and just put work aside and make that connection.”
What makes Donegal different?
“A phrase we are all familiar with! ‘There when it matters most.’ That’s what sets us apart from others. Give us a call, and we are there. And that is consistent up the ladder to managers and VPs. If you need to get a hold of us, you’ll be able to. You won’t have to jump through hoops to do so. We also listen. We want to hear the story behind whatever it is you have going on with your agency or account. By doing so, we can collaborate and do our best to satisfy all parties involved.”
On weekends, you can find me…
“Somewhere outside. As a mom of a toddler, an avid runner, and a husband who is a competitive cyclist, our weekends always start with a 5 a.m. 60+ mile ride for him, a 7 a.m. long run for me, then a family stroll to the market. It often ends with friends (and their children) at a playground, festival, or local brewery. Sundays start at church and we try to slow down a bit by spending time with family.”
My go-to coffee order is…
“Dark Decaf please! With a splash of half and half.”
Something no one would know about me…
“I had some interesting hobbies growing up! I studied Entomology through 4-H as a middle schooler and proudly boasted a 125-specimen insect collection in a glass encased box. I spent time pinning and labeling them individually by order, family, and common name. To this day, I still love insects.
I was also a bit of an adrenaline junkie as young as 9 years old, and played Polocrosse both regionally and nationally for many years into high school. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check it out on YouTube and imagine being my parents having to sit and watch from the sidelines! It’s basically Lacrosse, but on horses. Fingers get broken, and sometimes we would fall off and break more than that – I broke my back when I was 13 – but I learned from personal experience that if the umpires don’t see blood and you can control your horse and racket, you can keep on playing.”
Ask me about…
“Anything fitness and running related. I’ve ridden horses all of my life and played high school and college tennis. When I was 17, I worked at a local gym, and in my 20’s, was hired as a personal trainer. I completed my first half marathon when I was 25, and since then I’ve run probably 20 more, plus 3 marathons, 3 ultra-marathons, and 2 triathlons. My favorite running adventure took myself and 3 friends to Utah and Arizona, where we camped for 5 nights and ran three half marathons in three days! One at Zion National Park, another at Bryce Canyon, and the final at Horseshoe Bend at the Grand Canyon. Some of my bucket list items are to qualify for the Boston Marathon, finish an Ironman Triathlon, and compete in a figure competition.
What Kay’s colleagues are saying…