Bravera Bank
Bravera Insurance is excited to announce the addition of Jeff Tescher as the agency’s Commercial Lines Manager. Jeff has over 13 years of experience in commercial lines, the last decade of which was spent in leadership roles at EMC Insurance and the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund where he served as the Director of Underwriting. Jeff graduated from St. Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck and the University of North Dakota, where he played linebacker for the Fighting Sioux football team.
What drew you to a career in insurance and how has that perspective evolved over time?
Early on, I viewed insurance mostly as a numbers game. I’ve always enjoyed math and working with data, which naturally drew me to the field. But as I got more hands-on experience, I began to see a different side of the industry. I learned insurance goes far beyond calculations and spreadsheets.
Insurance is really about people. It’s about relationships, trust and being there for others when life takes an unexpected turn. At its core, this work is about helping individuals and businesses protect what matters most to them.
What is one lesson you’ve learned in your career that continues to guide your approach to leadership and client relationships today?
I can’t be effective in my role without actively listening, asking thoughtful questions and fully understanding the situation before responding. Whether it's a team member sharing a challenge or a client discussing a complex business risk, people remember when they feel truly heard.
As a leader, this approach helps build trust. It reminds me to pause before reacting, seek clarity before offering solutions and show that I value the person, not just the transaction. This mindset not only fosters long-term, successful relationships with clients but also within our agency.
What has your background and experience taught you that shapes how you approach commercial insurance and the relationship with the client?
Underwriting has taught me to look beyond the surface when evaluating risk.
For those who don’t know, underwriting is how insurance companies assess risk to decide whether to offer coverage and on what terms.
My background in underwriting gave me a deep understanding of how insurance companies evaluate risk. I learned how to assess businesses by looking at their operations, financials, safety practices and overall industry trends. Just as importantly, I gained insight into what underwriters look for in a submission, what makes an account stand out and how to structure it for success.
Now that I’m on the agency side, I use that knowledge to better serve my clients. I ask more informed questions, uncover risks that might otherwise be missed and tailor solutions that truly fit the needs of each business. That experience allows me to present my clients to carriers in the best possible light, which can lead to stronger coverage, better pricing and more favorable terms.
My background in underwriting has only reinforced the importance of long-term relationships—not just with insurance carriers, but with clients. I’ve seen how trust, transparency, and proactive risk management can positively shape an account over time. My goal is to be more than a policy-seller. I want to be a strategic partner, helping clients grow and protect their businesses year after year.
What is one area of commercial coverage that’s often overlooked but increasingly important?
I can’t overstate the value of working with an experienced insurance advisor who truly understands the underwriting process. Securing coverage is about far more than just exchanging business details for a premium. How a business is presented to a carrier directly affects the coverage options, pricing and terms offered. Unfortunately, this critical part of the process is often rushed or overlooked—sometimes to the detriment of the client.
During my time as an underwriter, I saw firsthand how carelessly prepared submissions could limit what was available to an account. It made a lasting impression on me and it’s why I have so much respect for agencies that take the time to advocate for their clients with purpose and professionalism.
What drew me to Bravera is their commitment to doing exactly that: representing their clients thoughtfully and serving as a true partner and advisor. That approach aligns perfectly with my values and I’m excited to bring my background to the table—digging deeper, asking smarter questions, and contributing to a cycle of continuous improvement. Ultimately, it’s about delivering the level of care and expertise that our clients and local businesses deserve.
What do you think the most successful businesses do when it comes to managing their risk and commercial coverage needs?
The businesses that see the most long-term success are the ones that treat risk management as an ongoing strategy. For them, insurance isn’t just about coverage; it’s about protecting their operations, people and reputation every day.
These clients actively use the resources available to them, whether they are from their insurance carrier or from our agency, to build a tailored loss control plan. That might include things like safety training, risk assessments, equipment upgrades, or policy reviews. But the key is that they don’t treat these as one-off efforts. They invest in loss control year after year, adjusting as their business grows or as new risks emerge.
This mindset on their insurance portfolio means they’re not just checking boxes, they’re building safer, more resilient organizations. I strive to guide that process, connect them with the right resources and ensure their strategy is aligned with both their insurance goals and their long-term business objectives.
Are there any current trends in commercial insurance that businesses should be paying attention to right now?
The insurance industry has been navigating a challenging hard market for the past several years. One of the key drivers has been the rise in social inflation, which has led to increased defense costs for insurance carriers as they work to protect policyholders in a more litigious environment. "Nuclear verdicts" (jury awards exceeding $10 million) are becoming more common, which is pushing liability insurance costs higher across the board.
Cyber risk is another growing concern, even here in North Dakota. Many businesses still underestimate how vulnerable they are until it’s too late. It’s no longer enough to simply have a policy; it's about ensuring your coverage is up to date, that limits are adequate, and that you fully understand what’s protected.
With these evolving risks, it's more important than ever for businesses to stay on top of their exposures and actively manage their risks. By implementing loss control strategies, businesses can reduce their chances of claims and minimize potential financial impacts.
At Bravera Insurance, our goal is to help guide clients through these complexities. We work with them to identify coverage gaps, understand emerging risks, and make informed decisions so they’re not just protected today, but also positioned for long-term security as these risks continue to evolve.
How do you like to spend your time when you’re not in the office?
I grew up playing sports, and that passion has stayed with me over the years. Today, I coach football, basketball and baseball, and one of my favorite things is watching my own kids out on the field. My wife and I have three boys and a girl, and we love spending time together, whether it’s at the lake or taking a family trip when we get the chance.