We used them a few years ago and it was an absolute nightmare. It was so bad the group ended up going to back to their original plan and the carrier was willing to backdate the coverage.

I don't know if they have changed since then, but I would be very cautious.

Obviously as a new agent, you need to start somewhere and leadl ists are not a bad way to get started. From make sure you ask for a referral from every new client you have. Whether you have a list of people or not make sure to be persistant with EVERY client. You may get some reactive referrals from...

Instead of referrals, have you tried using any lead services? Auds are you nuts? Lead services over referrals? :shock: Referrals are always the best way to grow your business so you are on the right track. In order to be effective you need to be persistant and proactive in asking your clients for r...

John, I don't think there is a book out there that can prepare you for the "do's and don'ts" of running/ starting an agency. It can be very challenging, but also very rewarding. Instead of looking for a book, reach out to agency owners who have done this (and continue to do this) successfu...

Thanks for your input is is very helpful. What has been the experience of employers who have gone into a PEO and then tried to go back to the traditional WC?

A client of mine (California) who was contacted by ADP about joining their PEO program primarily for WC. Their mod was recently increased due to reduced payroll and increased claims and looking for a way to lower their costs. Has anyone (or clients) had experience with their PEO program that they co...

I would like to get some input in regards to charging fees for Value Added Services, such as safety programs, loss control, etc. Can you let me know how OR if your agency charges for these services? What type, size of clients to you absorb the cost vs. pass the cost the the clients? Thanks for your ...

BusDevGuy,

Thanks for the recommendation. I did contact them a while back and due to our (benefits) volume they could not accomidate us at this time.

Any other recommendations?

I have a small commercial lines P&C agency and looking to expand our benfits department. Currently we have a small amount (group health, dental, etc) on the books and know there is huge potential for increasing this business. The problem is we don't have a "benfits only" producer and k...

Here is actual scenrio I had that finished playing out. In my inital meeting with a propect I uncovered they had a 10 year relationship with their broker and no real problems to speak of, etc. Why was I there? We are have an excusive program for their association that their current broker does not h...

I think we as an industry have done this to ourselves with the constant "begging" to bid someone's insurance with a glimmer of hope that we get the account. Scott, in your example any of the other agents trying to bid this account should walk away. Afterall, it is an uphill battle - good r...

I don't disagree that you need to be proactive with your clients to retain their business. The idea about shopping your insurance with multiple brokers each year may on occasion provide them with a lower premium, but it does nothing to improve their long term cost of risk. Any competent broker needs...

Don't take any advice from this so called consultant Scott. I checked his blog on his website and he doesn't have YOUR our my best interest in mind. All he wants to do is sell you his products. He advocates that business insurance buyers "shop" their insurance every year with 5 brokers to ...

Yes, Scott you are correct about dealing only with the decision maker. That was one of the lessons I learned from that encounter, but I didn't expand on it in the last post.

You asked about anyone not leaving a proposal with a prospect? Several years ago I did that because I saw the writing on the wall that I was getting used and there was no way I was getting the business. I was dealing with the controller, who wasn't the decision maker. When the ceo walked in he was a...