What is a captive contracted insurance agent?

Message Author
Add to del.icio.us
Add to YahooMyWeb
Add to Simpy
Add to BlinkList
PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:36 am   Post subject: What is a captive contracted insurance agent?  

I am applying ofr a job in which they will pay for me to be trained and take their required tests. But every 5 seconds on the application I run into something that says NOTE: that you are aware that you will not be an employee of "said" insurance company but will be a captive contracted insurance agent. please help... what does this mean?
carefreelayner07
New member
Leave a quick message


Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 1


1.39 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:59 am   Post subject:   

Well, that means that you are not entitled to receive salary from the employing insurance company, you would operate as an independent agent while selling policies of that particular company. If you can't achieve the target set by the insurance company they may also decide not to renew the contract.

Hope the experts would throw some more light into this matter.
JeremyHolter
Senior member
Leave a quick message

Jeremy Holter
Joined: 06 Jun 2007
Posts: 1142


204.75 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:07 am   Post subject:   

A captive agent can work either as a full-time employee of a company or may decide to become an independent contractor, but both ways he would only be selling policies of one company. Unlike an independent agent, the captive contractor can't offer policies from different companies to his/her client, hence may face limitation in offering a better deal.

An independent contractor will only receive commission on the sales, thus saving the initial expenses of the company on a full-time captive agent. However, as an independent contractor you can work on your own accord and convenience. That's surely an advantage.

Regards,
Juanita
Juanita
Moderator
Leave a quick message

Juanita
Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 467

Location: Idaho
100.81 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:20 pm   Post subject:   

Many companies have captive only agents, ie allstate, state farm, shelter, american family and on and on, others sell thru independent agents, ie progressive, gieco etc...i know many captives, that make tons, of money, i also know many independents that do the same...also know many that struggle on both sides of the fence...one of the good things about a captive, is (as you know) they train you and pay for it, some give you a six month or more salary to get you going and some exsisting book of business...it just depends no what suits you best...some start as captives, and then a few years down the road switch to independents (depending of course on their contract) we have both on this site...so you should get more information soon.
_________________
**************************************
Life gaurantees a chance NOT a fair shake
**************************************
FIND a way EVERY day to lighten the load of another
**************************************
Lori
Moderator
Leave a quick message

Lori
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 6815
Highets Points
Location: Missouri
45.11 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:36 pm   Post subject:   

Hi Juanita,

Don't you think that depending on the sales volume sometimes a contractor's commissions could even surpass the salaries drawn by his fellow colleagues?

Well, I understand the effort he'd need to put in order to pull up his performance to that level though!

Another thing-
Quote:
Unlike an independent agent, the captive contractor can't offer policies from different companies to his/her client, hence may face limitation in offering a better deal.


It seems quite interesting..do you mean to say that a captive contractor has lesser sale-closures due to limited options?

Roddick
roddick
Senior member
Leave a quick message

roddick
Joined: 05 Oct 2005
Posts: 468


81.39 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:54 am   Post subject:   

Quote:
Don't you think that depending on the sales volume sometimes a contractor's commissions could even surpass the salaries drawn by his fellow colleagues?


Well, it may since it'd depend upon the agents personal skills. However, as Lori has mentioned a full-time captive agents may receive compensation from the insurance company, which is a great support for a newbie in the business. It'd help you get going if you have to earn from the very fast day in the market.

Quote:
It seems quite interesting..do you mean to say that a captive contractor has lesser sale-closures due to limited options?


No, success in the insurance business largely depends upon individual qualities, hence if someone is good enough, business wouldn't be scares for him. However, an independent agents enjoys the freedom to look into different insurance companies in order to find a suitable coverage for his clients, while a captive contractor is still a captive agent, who can only offer the polices of his employer company.

Hope it clears some doubts.

Regards,
Juanita
Juanita
Moderator
Leave a quick message

Juanita
Joined: 04 May 2007
Posts: 467

Location: Idaho
100.81 Dollars($)

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:43 pm   Post subject:   

I would also like to add that usually a captive contractor receives a higher commision rate as well.
lisar1208
Forum Expert
Leave a quick message


Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 127


26.46 Dollars($)

Quick Reply
Your Name
Subject
Message body
All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 

Ask Community Experts

flash plugin

Quick Links
Must See
Community
Hot topics in forums

Latest in blogs