Insurance for the future

Dan Guth is a popular guy around Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an insurance brokerage in south Orange County.

His boss said he’s known for his smile, sense of humor and bringing a contagious energy into the office. One of the reasons he’s well-liked, Guth believes, is because of his second job and all the interesting stories he can bring into work on Monday mornings.

It’s that second job, as a Costa Mesa police reserve officer, that also brought Guth to Costa Mesa Fire Station No. 5 Friday morning. To the guys there, it’s his job with Arthur J. Gallagher that’s made him popular this day.

With the mayor and city manager looking on, Fire Department Chief Mike Morgan accepted a check for nearly $13,000 from the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, a grant that only came thanks to Guth and his company. Morgan enthusiastically accepted the check, with firefighters gleefully pointing to all the equipment it will help them buy or repair, including rescue equipment and tools for the Community Emergency Response Team.

Through a program similar to earning points on a credit card, Arthur J. Gallagher earns points from Fireman’s Fund Insurance every time they sell one of their policies. Those points add up to money, and after so many are accrued, Arthur J. Gallagher gets to take that money and give it to any fire department they wish.

Using his charm and playing up his loyalty to the Costa Mesa community because he’s a reserve officer, Guth persuaded his colleagues to vote for the Costa Mesa Fire Department as the recipient.

“Costa Mesa magically won, hands down,” said a chuckling Bruce Beardsley, Guth’s boss.

“I’m in a position where I could benefit the fire department as a whole and I wanted to do that,” Guth said. “I lobbied hard.”

Guth, a 44-year-old resident of Tustin, has worked for Costa Mesa police for 15 years and as an insurance broker for 14. Over the last four years he’s befriended many in the fire department as an officer assigned to them every Fourth of July when they patrol for fireworks violations.

“I work with these guys; there’s a relationship there,” Guth said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Reporter JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.