Cover With Confidence: Meet Option Insurance Brokers

This month, we meet Whitsundays Chamber members Jen and Doug O’Connor of Option Insurance Brokers—a new Whitsundays-based business offering personalised insurance solutions for businesses and individuals across Australia.

Established in 2024, Option Insurance Brokers provides tailored cover across all major insurance types, including business packages, liability, commercial motor, professional indemnity, cyber, home and contents, landlord and more. Drawing on over a decade of industry experience in both corporate and boutique brokerages, Jen and Doug set out to create a brokerage that reflects their core values: authenticity, transparency, and genuine service.

“Our motivation was to simplify insurance and make it accessible – cutting through the jargon to give clients peace of mind,” said Jen. “We take the time to understand each client’s circumstances and match them with the right protection.”

As the broader insurance market shifts toward digital convenience, Option Insurance Brokers is embracing a different trend—personalised, human-centred service. With rising premiums, more frequent natural disasters, and increasing policy complexity, the demand for trusted guidance and advocacy is stronger than ever.

Launching a new brand in a competitive industry has been their biggest challenge, but Jen and Doug are rising to it by building strong community relationships, maintaining a strong online presence, and ensuring every client experience leads to word-of-mouth referrals. They also remain agile, constantly reviewing the market to keep cover options competitive and relevant.

Their top tips for fellow business owners include:

• Build relationships, not just a client list – Trust drives referrals.
• Don’t wait for perfect – Start something, then improve it.
• Know your numbers – Financial clarity enables growth.

Jen and Doug value being active Chamber members, saying, “”Being part of the Chamber connects us with supportive local businesses, providing community, collaboration, and resources that have helped us grow. We love the sense of community and the shared drive to see small businesses succeed in our region.”