Scott, it seems like you are getting hammered here! I think that you provide a valuable service. Not many will need it - either they are comfortable with the job their agents are doing or don't want to pay the fees for your work. I've been in the industry for over 12 years on both the company and ag...

What about starting out on the company side? I started out with Farmers about 10 years ago as a captive, went through their training program and did ok for a few years. I then worked for an independent agency before moving to an insurance company 3 years ago. My company, Hartford, frequently hires p...

GenYBroker, don't be surprised to hear premium quotes in the $5,000 range. Carriers will be hesitant to quote as well since you are new in the business. I would recommend that you talk to your states independent agency association for help as well.

I used to be a Farmers agent and I can tell you how things used to work with them. Farmers had the right of first refusal for all of my business. If they were willing to quote I had to use their product. If they declined or were not a market I could approach other carriers. Quite a few Farmers agent...

Jacqueline, I started my insurance career as a captive with Farmers. They have a great training program and I had a good run with them before leaving them in 1998. They usually prefer to take insurance rookies and groom them but I have heard of a few experienced people signing on with them. Most lik...

Hey folks, you might want to check out the website that Goredsox put in the note. Homesite.com is a link to an insurance carrier and it does not appear that they are related to Progressive. Looks like they only do business over the internet. Homesite looks like a small company, not yet rated by AM B...

Jessica, you should be getting at least 50% of the first year commission. At a similar position in my past I received 50% first year & 10% for renewals or any "orphaned" policies that I ended up servicing. I was receiving $1,500 a month as a base, most of which was eaten up by taxes &a...

You can also check out Hartford Specialty.

You should work at having at least 10 new business appointments per week. I've found that the best way to get appointments is to x-date and then call 30-45 days before expiration to try and get an appointment. Also not a bad idea to send a postcard thanking them for the x-date and promising to call ...