About Preferred Insured Agency
Preferred Insured Agency was formed in March of 2020. We specialize in Medicare and that’s all we do. Our agents can help you select and enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), Medigap Plan, or Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). Our services are at no cost to you and can take the stress out of the process for you.
How is it no cost to you?
Agents are paid a commission by the insurance carriers when you enroll. Commissions for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are federally regulated, and all Michigan carriers pay the same amount. Our agents are truly independent in that we are not motivated to push you to one carrier over another. We focus on finding the best fit for you because we value our relationship with you. Even if you call us to change from one plan to another, your agent will receive commission year after year. So, we are highly vested in providing excellent customer service and making sure you are satisfied!
From the day we started this agency, we knew we wanted to be a one-stop shop for people on Medicare to get help from honest, trustworthy agents. With us, you are not at the mercy of massive, out-of-state call centers and 1-800 numbers that often have little knowledge of Michigan’s health systems. You get an agent that is local and a member of your community.
We started Preferred Insured Agency because we wanted to set a high standard for insurance agents working with the vulnerable seniors and disabled in our communities. Every one of our agents is vetted, and frankly, we would trust them in the home with our own parents.
Meet Our Team
Elizabeth Abshire, Agent | Owner
My husband and I formed Preferred Insured Agency in March of 2020, right after we got married. I got involved with insurance in the summer of 2018 when I learned the ins and outs of the Medicare insurance industry.
A typical first-time appointment with me takes about an hour to an hour and a half from start to finish, including enrollment. I review medications people are taking (must make sure prescriptions are covered), doctors or any providers they see, and what they are looking for in their medical plan. Everyone is different, and there is no “best” plan. It really depends on your needs and preferences. My goal is for you to understand your plan, what it covers, and all the benefits it offers.
I grew up in Southgate, MI and currently live in Wyandotte, MI with my husband Shaun, stepson Luke, stepdaughter Ashlynn, two cats named Spike and Fluffy, a Sheepadoodle dog named Pi, and five guinea pigs. Fun fact, Shaun and I got married on Pi Day, March 14th (3.14). We named the insurance agency and the dog after that. Shaun and I love to travel, both as a couple and as a family with the kids.
I am licensed in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Shaun Abshire, Agent | Owner
My background is in software development. I’ve designed and developed critical banking applications for both check processing and ACH processing that have moved over $10 trillion in transactions. I continue to put those skills to work at Preferred Insured Agency by ensuring that our services are backed by best-in-class technology.
Elizabeth and I created the agency the day after we got married on Pi Day (3/14) in 2020. That was just before everything shut down during the pandemic. She was already a successful agent. My plan was to just get licensed and appointed with all the carriers so I could carry on my wife’s business if anything happened to her.
Although I do not think of myself as a salesperson, I am able to explain and simplify complex concepts. There are a dozen carriers, hundreds of health plans, thousands of providers, tens of thousands of medications and a huge variety of ways to set up health coverage. My goal is to help my clients feel comfortable and confident that they are making a well-informed decision.
I am proud to have been recognized as the UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Agent of the Year in 2022 as well as a Platinum Premier Producer.
I am licensed in Michigan.
Steve Fappas, Agent
I am a local independent agent that started focusing on Medicare in early 2020. I really like being able to help people understand their options and choose plans. Health insurance plans can be confusing and so can all the options! I feel like there are a lot of gaps in insurance information and education. I try really hard to fill those gaps by teaching my clients about the different parts of Medicare, potential penalties, and the different types of Medicare coverage available to them. I work hard to cut through all the confusion to show clients options that fit their individual needs.
I am good friends with the other agents in Preferred Insured Agency and met owners Shaun and Liz years ago in 2005/2006. We all volunteer our time with a local non-profit called the Jaycees. Through my involvement in that organization, I have made so many great friends like Shaun and Liz as well as made positive impacts in our community. I also learned a lot about leadership and made some big steps in my personal life, including starting this career in insurance that is so rewarding and fun.
In my home life I have a beautiful wife, Sarah, and 2 wonderful boys named Steven and Ethan. They are the light of my life. I really enjoy working on new hobbies with my sons. Whether it is playing music, building projects, or driving RC cars, I am having the best time watching them grow up. For maximum fun times, the four of us take our 79 Ford Bronco to Silver Lake Michigan to enjoy camping and the Silver Lake sand dunes.
I am licensed in Michigan and Ohio.
Tiffany Stone, Agent
I am a Medicare specialist serving in the Downriver area. Prior to this I was an area supervisor for the Smart Style hair salons located in Walmart, that is where I met the owner of Preferred Insured Agency (Liz). When I found out the salons were closing due to the pandemic, I decided to explore other career options in the customer service field. I love meeting new people, helping people, and making people feel good. Seniors often get dismissed, overlooked, or forgotten, that is why my favorite part of my job is building a relationship, listening to their stories, and helping with their needs by educating on the various options made available. Although my main focus has become insurance, I still enjoy doing hair part time at a local Supercuts.
I am originally from Tennessee, born and raised. I met my husband when I was 19. We have spent 16 wonderful years together and have two beautiful children together. We decided to move to Michigan 10 years ago, I am still not used to this cold. In my free time I love to travel, treasure hunt, star gaze, and try new adventurous activities that involve heights. My favorite places to be are by the water and with my family. My faith and my family are what motivates me, and my dream is to one day own a small farm with lots of land and a boat.
I am licensed in Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Sarah Fappas, Agent
Greetings, Everyone! I’m Sarah Fappas, a dedicated advocate for positive change on a global scale, one individual at a time. With over two decades of experience as a clinical social worker, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside seniors, adults, adolescents, and children as they navigate life’s complexities.
My journey in social work has been a passionate one, driven by the profound connections I’ve made and my solid commitment to meeting the unique needs of those I serve.
Recently, I embarked on a new chapter by becoming an independent insurance agent, an endeavor that allows me to extend my dedication and compassion to further assist others.
I actively contribute to our community in a variety of ways. Currently, I serve on the board of directors for The Kindness Rally, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading random acts of kindness both locally and globally. In 2018, I presided over the Wyandotte Jaycees chapter.
You’ll frequently find me engaged in various acts of kindness, from coordinating senior spaghetti dinners to participating in park clean-up initiatives and providing essential support to families in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
During my leisure time, I discover joy in practicing yoga, camping, and exploring the natural beauty of Silver Lake Sand Dunes. Traveling serves as my passport to broadening horizons and embracing fresh perspectives on life.
My personal life is equally fulfilling, shared with my beloved husband, Steve. Together, we take immense pride in parenting two exceptional boys, Steven and Ethan, whose growth and development we cherish.
Carol, Receptionist
My name is Carol. I grew up in Taylor and now live in Southgate with my dog Otis.
I’m the friendly voice who answers our main line. I’m also at the front window greeting everyone who stops by. You may even find me checking you in at one of our seminars.
I’m so proud to be part of a business that helps people understand and make good health care choices.
Princess PI
Princess Pi is our sweet fluffy pal. She visits our office from time to time. You may also see her going out for walks around downtown Wyandotte. Much like our agency itself, Pi is named after the mathematical constant π.
Pi is like a big stuffed animal. She is super friendly but she can bark when she gets excited. Stare deep into her nearly human eyes and you’ll fall in love too.
Pi was born on December 22, 2021 and is a Sheepadoodle. Her dad is an Old English Sheepdog and her mom is a Standard Poodle. The breed is known for their minimal shedding and hypoallergenic coat.
