In a world where automation often overshadows human connection and fine print buries trust, Phil Wardell is a leader proving that integrity, transparency, and client-first values are not only good ethics but good business.
As President and CEO of Access Insurance Underwriter, LLC, one of Florida’s largest homeowner insurance agencies with over 20,000 active policies and $70 million in premiums, Phil has transformed a once transactional industry into one rooted in advocacy, empowerment, and lasting relationships.
From the Field to the Frontlines of Business
Before leading a company that redefined client service in insurance, Phil was an athlete competing at national, county, and state levels in track and field and playing tackle football since age five. “Sports taught me discipline, mental toughness, and a relentless work ethic,” he says. These qualities have defined his personal and professional life ever since.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Ph.D. in holistic nutrition, entrepreneurship wasn’t the obvious path. Selling insurance post-college to make ends meet revealed not just a skill, but a calling. “I had a knack for marketing and lead generation and a deep desire to do things differently.”
Together with his wife Lisa, Phil Wardell launched Access Insurance in 2000 with a bold mission: put clients first, always.
A Client-First Model That Works
Today, Access Insurance is a leading force in Florida’s insurance sector, writing 400–500 new policies monthly across a portfolio that spans homeowner insurance, commercial property and casualty, auto coverage through its innovative Auto Shop program, personal property, and employee benefits.
But it’s not the size that sets them apart. It’s the soul.
“We re-shop every client’s policy at renewal. Most agencies say they do, but don’t. We actually deliver,” he says. Leveraging advanced actuarial models, Access Insurance compares rates across top carriers and transparently shares premium breakdowns with clients empowering them to make smarter, value-driven decisions.
Tech + Trust: The Balanced Future of Insurance
While embracing AI and data analytics to optimize pricing and reduce client risk, Phil draws a clear line: technology is a tool not a replacement. “Clients still want to talk to real people, not bots or never-ending phone menus. We use tech to enhance service, not erase the human touch.”
That belief is shaping the future of Access Insurance one where efficiency and empathy coexist.
Leadership with Integrity and Purpose
With 90 employees across the U.S. and the Philippines, Phil believes leadership is about empowering others. “My role is to ensure our team has what they need to succeed, while staying true to our culture and values.”
And that culture? It’s built on excellence, trust, and loyalty. Employees are not just workers they’re partners in a shared mission.
In the past year, Phil led a powerful transformation in the company’s Auto Shop program, quoting the top ten auto insurers at renewal for every client and providing data-backed recommendations. “It’s about bringing the same transparency and advocacy we’re known for in home insurance to every policy we write.”
Inspired by Purpose, Grounded by Family
The most pivotal influence in his leadership journey? His wife, Lisa. “She encouraged me to start Access Insurance, even when if it meant selling everything and starting over, which by the grace of God we did not have to do. She and I believed in a better way to serve clients. I owe everything to that belief.”
And clients continue to inspire him daily. “Every time we help someone feel secure or save money, it reinforces why we do what we do.”
Inclusivity, Global Reach, and Leading from Within
With a diverse team particularly the 60 professionals based in the Philippines Phil sees inclusivity as a superpower. “Different perspectives allow us to solve problems more creatively and serve a broader client base with empathy.”
His leadership philosophy is rooted in integrity, transparency, and long-term trust principles he instils by encouraging his team to lead from within, take ownership, and solve problems proactively.
What’s Next: Visionary Leadership for a New Era
As the insurance industry faces rapid transformation, Phil believes the greatest opportunity for impact lies in using technology to increase transparency and access, without losing the personal connection.
“True leadership in 2025 and beyond means building something that outlasts you. It means making decisions that are right not just for today, but for the people who count on you tomorrow.”
Advice to Future Leaders
His advice for aspiring change makers is simple but profound: “Love people. Treat them like family. Work tirelessly to earn their trust. The rest will follow.”
In a field often plagued by mistrust and complexity, Phil is rewriting the narrative proving that when you lead with purpose, people notice. And when you lead with heart, success follows.
Mission of the Company:
At Access Insurance, we believe that people are our best asset. As we take care of our people, we know that they will take care of our customers as well. We uphold integrity and transparency in their highest form. We earn the trust of our workers and customers by holding ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism and excellence. As we are driven by our passion for excellence, we are bound by confidentiality and professional behaviour. These are not just words to us; they guide us in our commitment to serve. They are part of our company’s culture and drive us to go the extra mile, leading us to the satisfaction of seeing not only our lives but also the lives of our customers to be safe and secure.
