Michelle Silvester’s Policy is Peace of Mind: ‘Never Underestimate the Power of Insurance’

Article by John Pacenti
Photo by Carri Lager

When Michelle Silvester jumped into the insurance game, she was under no delusions. “Insurance is definitely a man's world. I definitely was pushing the envelope a little bit,” she said.

Michelle Silvester helps clients navigate Florida's complex insurance landscape through GreatFlorida Insurance.

Silvester now heads up locations for GreatFlorida Insurance in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens, a robust operation with 15 agents.

“We have a five-star service team. They are the backbone of the agency,” Silvester said, pointing to glowing reviews on Google. One customer said of Silvester’s operation: “Super communicative and can’t beat the prices.”

Even her daughters, Christina and Nicole, are part of the team, making it truly a family affair. Christina handles commercial insurance, while Nicole specializes in personal lines, auto and home coverage.

"They only elevate their mom," Silvester says proudly. "I'm the lucky one to have them."

Resilience has been a hallmark of her 18-year journey as an independent insurance agent serving northern Palm Beach County.

A Cuban-American "Key Rat" from Key Biscayne, Silvester’s path to insurance wasn't linear, but was always driven by sales and entrepreneurial spirit.

Besides Key Biscayne, she also spent some of her childhood in Madrid, Spain. She attended the University of Florida, earning an advertising and marketing degree, and landed at The Palm Beach Post after graduation. There, she won salesperson of the year in 1990.

Her next role was a pharmaceutical saleswoman, bringing groundbreaking drugs to market.

After raising her daughters, Silvester dove into the insurance industry in 2007.

"Independent insurance is different from captive agencies like Allstate," Silvester explains. "We work with multiple carriers like Progressive, Geico, and Travelers, all of which means more choices for our clients."

Those choices have become increasingly important in Florida's complex insurance landscape, she says.

Silvester has witnessed significant changes, particularly in homeowners' insurance. Recent legislative reforms and reduced fraud have begun stabilizing rates, with some policies seeing 10% reductions.

Silvester heads up GreatFlorida Insurance in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens, with 15 agents to serve clients.

Her approach goes beyond mere policy sales. "We take time to speak with clients and get to know them," she says. Whether it's a teenager getting their first car, a new Florida resident with a luxury vehicle, or a homeowner with an older roof, Silvester's team prides itself on finding tailored solutions.

Silvester has been recognized as a top 5% agency owner within the GreatFlorida Insurance franchise and was recently invited to a statewide conference with just 25 select agents.

Her skills served her well when opening her Jupiter office during the COVID-19 pandemic, a move that might have seemed risky to others but felt natural to her.

Personal lines remain her specialty: home, auto, boat, RV, and even e-bike insurance. But her real product isn't just policies – it's about trust, it’s about peace of mind.

"Never underestimate the power of insurance," she says.

Silvester recalls a harrowing phone call with a client calling her just as a tornado bore down on the Avenir development in Palm Beach Gardens in October 2024.

“I told him to just hang up. And as he did, the tornado literally hit his house,” Silvester said. “He and his wife were going to hunker down in the master bath and they decided to go into the second bathroom instead.”

That decision saved their lives as a metal pipe went through the impact glass of the master bathroom and through the drywall. “They would have been killed,” she said.

That’s when Silvester went to work. “Because of my connections and our dedication to our clients, the insured who had the direct hit was the first on his block to get assistance,” she said. “His home had the first tarp on the roof, and his claim was settled with the best care.”

Silvester's approach reflects a broader philosophy: insurance isn't about transactions, but relationships. Her team focuses on understanding individual client needs, whether they're new Florida residents, families with teenage drivers, or businesses seeking comprehensive coverage.

As Jupiter continues to evolve – with its growing live music scene, robust restaurants and expanding community – Silvester's agency has grown alongside it. From her early days at The Palm Beach Post to becoming a respected insurance broker, she's built a business that reflects her core values: adaptability, service, and family.

For Silvester, insurance isn't just about protecting assets – it's about protecting people. And in a world of uncertainty, that's a promise worth keeping.