Insurance Panda Team
Insurance Panda launched in 2012 as an auto insurance quote comparison resource. Today, we help drivers understand coverage, compare options, and make more confident decisions with clear, consumer-first content.
Learn more: Read our About Us page for our story, mission, and how we help drivers compare coverage.
Team Overview
Our content and quote-shopping experience is supported by a mix of insurance professionals, editors, and digital publishing specialists.
| Team Member | Role | Credentials | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desiree Smith | Insurance Agent & Contributor | Licensed insurance agent (license status varies by state) | Consumer education, coverage explainers, industry updates |
| Mary Caffrey | Insurance & Public Affairs Contributor | Background in journalism and insurance/public-sector leadership | Policy context, consumer guidance, insurance communications |
| Steffen Heringhaus | Digital Publishing & Strategy | Internet publishing experience since 1999 | Content strategy, product experience, growth and operations |
| James Shaffer | Insurance Writer & Industry Veteran | Insurance industry experience; cited by major media outlets | Auto insurance rules, shopping guidance, rate factors |
| Andrew Flueckiger | Insurance Agent & Reviewer | Licensed agent (IN) • Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) | Coverage accuracy review, agent perspective, practical guidance |
Our Editorial Workflow
Because insurance is a “your money or your life” topic, we aim for clarity, accuracy, and frequent updates. Here’s a snapshot of how content typically gets produced and maintained.
| Step | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Research | We gather state rules, insurer practices, and consumer guidance sources. | Reduces “myth” advice and keeps content grounded. |
| Drafting | Writers translate technical insurance language into plain English. | Makes coverage decisions easier to understand. |
| Review | When appropriate, a licensed agent or subject-matter reviewer checks key statements. | Helps catch errors and improve real-world usefulness. |
| Updates | We refresh articles as laws, insurer practices, and common questions change. | Keeps pages relevant and accurate over time. |
Meet the Team
Desiree Smith
Desiree Smith is a licensed insurance agent and contributor who focuses on helping drivers understand coverage choices and avoid costly mistakes. Her work emphasizes practical explanations, real-life scenarios, and clear next steps for shoppers.
Mary Caffrey
Mary Caffrey brings experience spanning insurance, public affairs, and journalism. She has held leadership roles in communications and policy-related work and contributes insurance content designed to help consumers understand how coverage works in real life—not just on paper.
Steffen Heringhaus
Steffen Heringhaus has worked in internet publishing since 1999. His background includes building and scaling digital products, guiding publishing strategy, and helping teams create content that’s both useful to readers and easy to navigate.
James Shaffer
James Shaffer is a long-time auto insurance writer and industry veteran. He focuses on how insurance rules work in practice—rates, eligibility, discounts, claims, and coverage options—so drivers can shop smarter. His work has been cited by major media outlets, and he’s known for turning complicated topics into straightforward guidance.
Andrew Flueckiger
Andrew Flueckiger is an experienced insurance agent specializing in personal and commercial insurance. He’s a graduate of Indiana University and earned his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2016. Andrew helps ensure key insurance explanations reflect how policies and claims work in the real world.
Contact
Have a question about our content, want to report an error, or need help finding the right topic? Reach our team through our Contact Us page.