Commitment to Ethics Takes Top Priority at Cottonwood Insurance

Headquartered near Salt Lake City, Utah, Cottonwood Insurance has built a reputation for service excellence in the state. The agency’s accolades include being named a 2023 Salt City Best Gold Winner and maintaining an impressive 4.9 out of 5-star rating from customers based on nearly 500 Google reviews.

Agency President Chris Pizza attributes the agency’s reputation to an unwavering focus on doing things right.

“We have built a culture committed to the highest ethical standards—where people know they don’t need to compromise to compete,” says Chris. “Our people take care of our clients, follow through, and show that we are an agency customers can trust.”

Driven to Serve

The agency was founded in Cottonwood Heights in 1981 by Chris’s father, Bill Pizza. Chris joined the agency in 2000 and is today co-owner of the business with his brother, Tayor Pizza, and Todd Duzett.

Cottonwood Insurance has enjoyed strong growth, particularly in recent history. In just the past four years, the agency more than doubled its size and is maintaining a 20 percent growth rate into 2024. Originally a primarily personal lines agency, today, the agency is about 75 percent personal lines and 25 percent commercial lines.

“We currently have almost 25,000 policies for 14,000 clients and a ton of momentum for additional expansion,” Chris says, adding that taking care of people and building a positive workplace culture has always been part of the agency’s philosophy.

“A key reason we’ve found success is our people,” Chris says. “In turn, we want our people to be successful. We work to cultivate their talents and leadership skills and let them know they are loved and cared about.”

The agency also believes in giving back to the community. Annual events such as fundraising tailgates, a community Halloween party (see photo), helping out at Tiny Tim’s Foundation for Kids, partnering with the Orange Couch Foundation, and working with the Utah Food Bank have become a pillar of Cottonwood’s identity.

Staying Focused

Although growth is an objective for the agency, more important is its focus on maintaining and enhancing the culture that has driven its success.

“We believe in the power of continuous improvement and paying attention to the little things that make a difference in this business,” says Chris. “We are constantly working at being ‘one percent better every day’ in terms of what we are trying to accomplish—making small improvements constantly across the agency that add up to big results over time.”

The results have been increasing efficiency, taking even better care of clients, and building a workplace culture where people are motivated and want to find success—all while never compromising the ethical standards for which the agency is known.

“Doing the right thing is always the right decision,” says Chris. “If you stay focused on that, the rest takes care of itself.”