Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:27 pm Post subject: If not NAA or Primerica ....where
I have been reading all the threads about NAA and Primerica. I'm taking my license exam on the 8th and am sorta with NAA now but have not signed anything.
My question is this. If not with either of these two that seem to take newbees in who. Where can you get practical training, leads etc. Lots say go Independent but really offer no insight on how to do this.
Post a reply here or e-mail me direct please: rbenderrd@yahoo.com
email deactivated for your safety _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
I worked for Primerica from 1994 thru 1998. I receive my Life, P&C, Series 6 & 63. Get company with excellent trianing. The reason why I left and went indepentant Term insurance was not good for everyone. I needed more insurance products. Now I can help everyone. I can give me details on how to became a independent rep. I can get you high contracts. Send me an email at contracts661[at]yahoo.com
*email address deactivated for your safety _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
Hi rdavis85, All the best for your exam. Hope you will clear it with flying colors.
Although I am not an agent but I guess that there aren't many companies who will consider an agent with no established agency. So it may become little difficult for a rookie to start as an independent agent. One way can be, to start up in collaboration with an already established agent, using his set-ups.
Well, that's only my thought. Whatsoever, I wish you all the best for your future.
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:10 am Post subject: Darrell, why don’t you share your tips?
Right, a difficult decision to make. IMO, independent agents definitely have an edge over the captive agents. He/she is free to choose products of various companies and thus can cater to the client's need in the best possible way. But, the captive agents are to sell the company's products and therefore have limited choices in terms of options. However, at the same time, I'll second Rupert that it may be tough for a fresher to start as an independent agent.
Darrell, why don't you share your tips with us all? I bet, it'll help many other aspiring agents too. _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
Hi rdavis85
I, too, wish you success on your insurance exam.
I don't know where you are from, so I'm not familiar with the major insurance companies in your ares.
Three I would recommendare AIG/American General, American National Insurance Company, and MetLife.
It is not difficult for a newly licensed agent to get contracted with almost any insurance company. Most company's prefer new agents because all the training is fresh and they don't have to deal with agents who have spent years learning the wrong ways to sell and market insurance.
The best advantage of starting out as a captive agent is that you normally are guaranteed a salary for at least several weeks.
Working with an independent agent would allow you to have access to more qualified leads, but if you are like me, you have to eat while you are learning.
Here's exactly what I would advise you to do. Ace the exam first, then pick two or three insurance companies in your area, walk in the front door and sell yourself. Selling yourself is the very first critical lesson to learn in the insurance business.
Good luck _________________
Happy T-giving everyone! I just came onboard because I don't want to go mow the lawn and need to procrastinate.
A few years ago, I was given the distinct honor of presenting Cindy Ossias (the whistleblower who helped bring down former Insurance Commissioner, Chuck Quakenbush, insurancejournal.com/magazines/west/2000/07/10/coverstory/21521.htm with an award hosted by the Nader Corporation.
During this 2-day event, I had the pleasure of meeting many professional insurance educators, including Doctors and Professors of Insurance Theory and Contract Law. Needless to say, in almost every way (professionaly speaking) these guys are miles above the typical insurance agent.
What I found to be truly humorous was; when a bunch of guys at that level get together to discuss "what is really wrong" with the insurance industry, the company they almost always refer to is Primerica. In fact, one of the Professors from Eastern Kentucky University told me that when he lectures students, he often uses Primerica's methods of doing business as examples of what not to do. How's that for significance? College students are being trained to stay away from Primerica while they are still in school.
I actually consulted for Primerica back in the 90s. I spoke at several of their conferences about the perils of universal life, churning, windowing, piggy-backing, etc. To them, I may have appeared as some sort of crusader, leading the fight against the often scandalous bunch who sell “trash value” insurance policies. With fists in the air chanting “screw Pru” and “Wet on Met” these folks kept me up to my earlobes in insurance fraud cases for almost 4 years. Most people don't know that a large part of the $1.7 billion class suit against MetLife was started by a few fraud victims who had been referred to me by Primerica agents.
I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Insurance Maze on this one. AIG has a great company and superb product line. Allianz is also a fine company. In my opinion, New York Life and Guardian have the best training programs. Bankers Life and Casualty has a great lead program but your sales/commission ratio probably won't be all that impressive. I would start with a good company, get a good portion of my training completed under someone else's watchful eye then branch out on my own.
Even more than Primerica, stay away from American Income Life. They are by far the worst I have ever seen and there is nothing but trouble in their ranks.
I have to go mow the lawn now.
Link deactivated as per forum rules - Evan _________________ Please feel free to go to my website at www.markcolbert.com or, if you have a specific question, you can email me directly. I hope I can answer any questions you might have. If not, I can certainly find an answer right away.
Most definitely , give yourself time after you finish the exam to make some choices. Please do yourself a favor: do not jump headlong into NAA or primeamerica. You do not owe anyone anything. This is your choice and youe future so you gotta do what works for you.
Quote:
Lots say go Independent but really offer no insight on how to do this.
Once you pass your exams this part will not be a problem for you. I know some will disagree, but you really dont too much have to sell yourself as an agent to any company. Most companies, are always looking for someone they can put out there and produce SOMETHING. They already know know everyone's not going to work out, so its kind of like, "Lets throw everything against the wall and see what sticks."
So just make sure that whoever you allow to throw you against the wall, that you have enough substance to stick. Just make sure that you, personally feel good about who you represent. You cannot properly represent a company that you dont even own any of their products. How can you sell it with a conviction?? How can you convince someone else that this is the way to go??
I agree with insurance maze, try some people like AIG, American General or Metlife. BUt, also look at State Farm, Farmers or American Family. Those are also very good companies with good compensation plans. But the indies will seek YOU out once you pass those exams.........GOOD LUCK!!
How do you go independent? First, you want to get some experience behind you. Like kniq188, maze, and InsurInvestigator said you want to work with a company that has great training and divers products. Also, start with a company that will pay draw plus comission. Give yourself at least 2 years before going independent. Once you are ready to become independent you will need to contact an IMO or Insurance Broker. I am an IMO and I look for experience agents with 2 years or more that are independent and are looking for higher contracts. It wouldn't make since to be new independent rep with a high comission contract and no experience. It make since to learn the business, become a captive agent with average comission with great training and experience. You will see after you pass your test you will be receiving mail from IMO and Brokers. I hope this information help you. Congradulation in advance on your test.
Darrell
contracts661@yahoo.com
email edited for your safety _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:59 pm Post subject: Passed!
Passed the test last night and got my temp immediate license. Believe I am going captive with Western_Southern. They have a local office with only a couple agents now and will only go to four. I would love to go independent but think too many things can go wrong until I'm sure of the business. _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
Here are a few things that will elevate you to a level unattainable by most (but certainly not all) agents.
1. Alawys disclose everything you do and never cut corners.
2. Never make a promise or show an illustration you wouldn't sign your name to.
3. Make friends with you client. This alone will provide a never-ending source of referals.
4. If your clients ever request that you sell or do something you feel uncomfortable selling or doing, document everything and have them sign a statement releasing you from any potential liability. This will often cause them to change their mind.
5. Never sell a plan, product, or idea, you wouldn't buy yourself.
Good luck to you always and never stop being the insurance professional so many people will remember for a good reason.
Mark _________________ Please feel free to go to my website at www.markcolbert.com or, if you have a specific question, you can email me directly. I hope I can answer any questions you might have. If not, I can certainly find an answer right away.
Thats really good advise insinvestigator. I believe I will write some of those down for myself. Sometimes we get so caught up trying to make money and make the sale, that we forget those very basic priciples.
I dont ever want to feel or make myself believe that I have learned too much, or that I cant learn something new from someone else.
One place to go with a new license is to a local agency. I'm sure that the quality of training will be quite variable from one local agency to the next, however, a local independent brokerage may be willing to take you on and give you mentoring that a bigger company can't.
Ask around your community and see which local agencies have the best reputation.
NAA is the largest mortgage protection insurance provider. They collect the information on the mortgage holders and sell that as a lead to their agents. One problem with NAA is that you can't actually judge the quality of the links at the first instance. Many a time the lead may get rolled from one agent to another. Hence, I doubt the chances of success.
Also NAA requires the agent to sign a contract to accept 55% commission on the sales. That is not very attractive as compared to the standard market structure (one may differ from me).
However, my objective is not to portray a negative picture of NAA, but only to highlight few areas. There are plenty of young agents working pretty successfully with NAA. Hence, only if you know all the ins-and-outs, there isn't much to worry about. Moreover, NAA is giving you the opportunity to work as an independent agent, which may no doubt attract many. Also, NAA requires you to expand your business by recruiting other agents, therefore, you can also relish the pleasure of being an entrepreneur yourself.
Wishing you all the success and congratulations on getting license
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:05 am Post subject: who to work with?
ive been with my company for years....if you are looking for the total package...we are th e2nd largest company in the industry and hands down we have the best training....i know i could get you an interview....inquire only if you are serious
