For nearly two decades, Trish Walsh has served as a go-to commercial insurance educator, advocate and advisor with a focus on an always-growing market in Ocean City—hotels, motels, condominiums and restaurants.

Bringing deep knowledge of the coastal market as a longtime Eastern Shore businesswoman, Walsh says the region’s complex property insurance underwriting requires a professional who is invested in the community and involved in legislative action and condominium associations and boards.

“We look at new laws that will be introduced and how it may affect our properties here in Ocean City,” she says of invited appointment to the board of the Community of the Maryland Legislative Action Committee (MD LAC) and the Community Associations Institute Delmarva.

“When we are reviewing clients’ insurance, we can ensure it complies with bylaws and offer the best package for their risk needs,” Walsh adds, noting that many admitted property carriers will not write policies within three-to-five miles of the coast. But this is NFP’s expertise.

“We insure more than 450 commercial condominium buildings in this area, and we work with our carriers daily, knowing which are the best fit for each client based on the age of their building, construction and claims history,” Walsh says. “A lot goes into knowing which carrier is the best fit for each condominium we insure.” NFP also writes personal insurance policies as well.

Insurance 101—and Beyond
Educating clients is a passion for Walsh, who earned a BS Degree in teaching, minor in Biology from The University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown and taught in the classroom before entering the insurance arena. Her first summer locally, she was a lifeguard at Ocean Pines and worked at Shenanigan’s Irish Pub in Ocean City.

She grew up in western Pennsylvania and her father co-owned a family Irish pub, explaining the draw to her early career in hospitality. Now, this translates to an innate understanding for insuring risk across the hospitality sector and in condominium communities.

“I went to school for teaching, so I enjoy educating our boards and unit owners, and it’s rewarding when you see that light bulb go off with a board, ‘Oh, I understand now!’” she relates.

Six Women in Business
Walsh has lived in West Ocean City for the last 34 years and is deeply involved in the community, particularly at St. Mary Star of the Sea/Holy Savior Catholic Church.

Professionally, she regularly attends condo association meetings and is a partner on the front lines to her clients. “I’m very hands-on,” she says of gathering with clients on evenings, weekends and at their convenience.

“Many companies allow employees to work remotely, but I’m in the office every day and we have the experience to leverage technology
with a personal touch,” she says.

Walsh also serves on the Delmarva Condo Managers Association, and NFP sponsors educational expo’s for condo associations through the Condominium Association Institute Delmarva. You’ll also find Walsh attending meetings at the Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association (HMRA) and the chamber of commerce.

“When I’m not working, I’m offshore trying to outsmart a fish or two with my friends,” she says.

A point of pride for Walsh is the strong women-in-business workforce at NFP, including a female regional manager and a commercial insurance office in Ocean Pines that is staffed with all females. “We are a strong women-in-business office here in Ocean City,” she says.