“Harvey” Survivor Launches Houston Business Custom-Made for Hurricane Season 2023 - Betancur Opens Brightway Agency Monday

When the 2023 Hurricane Season officially kicks off in a couple of weeks, there are millions who will watch closely along the Texas Gulf Coast. Although it’s been five years since Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the Lone Star State, the devastation the storm left behind is still fresh in the minds of Space City residents.

Bryan Betancur, 38, is one of nearly 100,000 Harris County residents who suffered damage to their homes as a result of the Category Four hurricane which stalled out over the region from August 26 – 29, 2017. Next week, the Houston businessman will open the doors on his Westpark Drive Brightway, The Betancur Agency; his very own insurance agency to help families try to protect themselves from the next “Harvey.”

“I lived in an apartment complex near a reservoir when officials made the call that they would have to open the Barker and Addicks Reservoirs,” Betancur recalled.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made the decision to help avoid catastrophic damage in Downtown Houston. However, that meant putting several thousand homes near the dams at further risk. “We had to be evacuated by boats. I had to stay with some friends for a while after that since we weren’t allowed to return for months.”

Betancur was one of the lucky ones. With a second-story apartment and second-story parking at his Houston complex, all of his belongings were safe from Harvey’s floodwaters. However, there were 40,000 families who saw their homes completely destroyed as a result of Harvey. Nearly 150-mile-per-hour wind gusts and 50 inches of precipitation led to the deaths of more than 100 people and nearly 200 million dollars in damage. The storm which pounded Houston for four days left more than a quarter of a million people without power for several days.

Raised in Southwest Houston, the 2003 Westside High School graduate is doing his part by opening his agency in hopes of helping his neighbors prepare for the unexpected as the 2023 Hurricane Season opens June 1. Born in Medellin, Colombia, the insurance pro and his family moved to the United States when he was only a toddler. “We moved here for a better life. It was a dream our family believed in,” Betancur added. “Helping defend what’s most important to the people in these neighborhoods during the trying times is something that I can completely relate to.”

Brightway, The Betancur Agency offers customized Home, Flood, Auto, Boat, Condo, Renters, Personal Articles, RV, Motorcycle, Umbrella, and Life insurance policies from numerous insurance companies. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and Saturday/Sunday by appointment. Visit them at their office at 9950 Westpark drive, Suite 322 in Houston, online at BrightwayBetancur.com or call 281-809-4010.

Brightway’s corporate office staff provides expertise and support in areas including customer service, technology, accounting, marketing, distribution and business analytics. In addition, Brightway handles carrier relations and appointments, as well as support with personnel hiring, licensing, onboarding, training and retention. The company’s signature after-the-sale service empowers Agency Owners, like Bryan, to focus on new business sales and provide customers the personalized service they deserve.

About Brightway Insurance

Established in 2008, Brightway grew to become one of the largest privately-owned property/casualty insurance distribution companies in the U.S. with more than 300 franchises in 36 states and more than $1 billion in annual premiums. Recently, Brightway’s success led to a private equity investment that has infused the company with financial and human capital, and data and analytics access, to accelerate growth and deliver new and exciting market opportunities.

Brightway produces winning outcomes for franchisees and their customers by offering access to customized coverage solutions from a range of insurers paired with full back office and marketing support. This winning model allows agents and producers to focus on addressing the needs of their customers to become trusted advisors and grow their businesses.