Search found 49 matches

by Smalltownagent
Wed Oct 12, 2016 10:24 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Trying to purchase an independent agency; but issues..
Replies: 5
Views: 15909

Re: Trying to purchase an independent agency; but issues..

Obviously get in writing whatever exit requirements are in force before you sign onto anything. I bought a book of business that had some with a national carrier, but it was through a MGA. The exit requirements were not spelled out in the contract, but they fought like mad to prevent me from rolling...
by Smalltownagent
Mon Oct 10, 2016 10:24 am
Forum: Hard-to-Place Accounts
Topic: Agent Compensation Ideas
Replies: 11
Views: 25676

Re: Agent Compensation Ideas

I'd just refer you to the previous thread (which I assume you've already read) about Travelers. Needless to say, we're not happy with our own companies cutting our legs out from underneath us. If Company A cuts our commission by 33% and company B has not, guess who is going to get the less profitabl...
by Smalltownagent
Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:22 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Travelers reducing commissions
Replies: 69
Views: 219742

Re: Travelers reducing commissions

I agree with the others. Currently, there is still a good opportunity to earn a very good living if you own your own agency. You can still be pulling in multiple 6 figure incomes even with medium to small sized agencies, but it probably won't be there in 15-20 years. So that's why I'm bumping up my ...
by Smalltownagent
Fri Sep 30, 2016 10:12 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Travelers reducing commissions
Replies: 69
Views: 219742

Re: Travelers reducing commissions

The "Alamo" moment was in fall of 2013 when Travelers announced this. If agents, as a collective group, would have had a "sack" then to stop writing in mass, perhaps that would have changed where we are today, who knows. Or at least put off this reduction. Once thing is for sure...
by Smalltownagent
Thu Sep 29, 2016 10:38 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Travelers reducing commissions
Replies: 69
Views: 219742

Re: Travelers reducing commissions

Reviving this thread back from 2013. Looks like our predictions have come true. Travelers was the first to do it, now in the past 6 months three more standard lines companies have announced their new commission rates, citing "..as market trends continue to shift." So, to those who continue...
by Smalltownagent
Mon Dec 21, 2015 7:51 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Banks - Unfair Trade Practices
Replies: 6
Views: 48310

Re: Banks - Unfair Trade Practices

Sounds like time to make a phone call to the Dept of Insurance. Scoundrels.
by Smalltownagent
Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:59 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Agency Management System
Replies: 243
Views: 2473822

Re: Agency Management System

sgriswold - I just signed up for Catalyst and we're still in the data conversion phase. I'm glad to hear your impressions on it. I think it will work out great for us, as we're mainly a smaller P&C (Personal lines) agency. I was with AgencyPro, which is not web based. So it had to be hosted by a...
by Smalltownagent
Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:13 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: New Agency Management System
Replies: 8
Views: 50601

Re: New Agency Management System

gforaker - You are totally right, I didn't read the OP's post closely enough. Catalyst wouldn't be a good fit for a primarily commercial lines driven agency.
by Smalltownagent
Wed Oct 07, 2015 10:15 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: New Agency Management System
Replies: 8
Views: 50601

Re: New Agency Management System

We're moving from AgencyPro (AgencySoftware) to QQCatalyst by QQSolutions. It blew me away with its capability. Only drawback is we're having to move our accounting to Quickbooks because QQ Catalyst doesn't have its own general ledger/accounting system.

I'd look into Catalyst if I were you.
by Smalltownagent
Mon Aug 10, 2015 11:01 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Insurance companies gouging agents.
Replies: 9
Views: 47210

Re: Insurance companies gouging agents.

D's insurance store...at least you have motivational speaking as a natural talent once our industry fails. :wink: I do agree with your comments though, its important to align yourself with the companies that value our work (for the time being, because it can change in a heartbeat). Like yoyowordup m...
by Smalltownagent
Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:33 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Take the Harford "Agent's Challenge"
Replies: 28
Views: 53170

Re: Take the Harford "Agent's Challenge"

Kbrooks I'm surprised you're glad to have them with Travelers. Travelers is the company we're getting rid of because of their new reduced commissions auto product and the general philosophy that indicates.
by Smalltownagent
Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:34 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Take the Harford "Agent's Challenge"
Replies: 28
Views: 53170

Re: Take the Harford "Agent's Challenge"

LTG, my, you have a cavalier attitude. Actually, I disagree with you. This IS a Hartford issue, and is an issue with every company that openly bones the agency channel. Yes, Progressive has a different rate structure for direct vs. agent. However, they do not jack up the agency channel rate by 27% ...
by Smalltownagent
Wed Dec 10, 2014 12:08 pm
Forum: Opinions
Topic: ACA/ObamaCare Open Enrollment 2015
Replies: 12
Views: 24355

Re: ACA/ObamaCare Open Enrollment 2015

Me personally, I haven't missed a single commission payment on any policies. I have heard of some others have a few problems though.
by Smalltownagent
Thu Nov 20, 2014 3:00 pm
Forum: Opinions
Topic: ACA/ObamaCare Open Enrollment 2015
Replies: 12
Views: 24355

Re: ACA/ObamaCare Open Enrollment 2015

Haha no problem.

I'd ask them but as far as I know it should still work. You have to put in your NPN number, FFM user ID and password. So they link back to your NPN number and you get paid your commissions how you always get paid.
by Smalltownagent
Thu Nov 20, 2014 2:47 pm
Forum: Opinions
Topic: ACA/ObamaCare Open Enrollment 2015
Replies: 12
Views: 24355

Re: ACA/ObamaCare Open Enrollment 2015

Yes, so far is absolutely worth it and yes I'm on the $25 per app plan. Last year during open enrollment, there were several times that I thought to myself, "This isn't worth it." Dealing with healthcare.gov and BCBS. Hour long wait times, dealing with helping the consumer create a log in ...