The key to finding out more about a Cluster or Alliance type group is to talk to agency members of a given group. One member is only one members viewpoint, I would talk to at least 3 to 5 if not more. Listen most to the people who give you both the positive and the negative. Nearly every smaller age...

A CIC and/or a number of other similar designations may look as good as a Masters (since these are well recognized in our industry) and save some serious dollars.

Running an agency or being an agent is not a free ride, there is so much involved and so much of an investment, it's not for amatures. Unless the account is over 1m in annual premiums, you will lose on the deal. Even if it is over 1m in premiums, you will still have a huge uphill battle. Insurance A...

I can't say enough good things about this company working with them over the years I have had my agency. They have some great niche programs and especially as someone who had written professional liability, if Philadelphia did it, they were the market I would prefer to go with. I am also a huge spor...

Have you taken action to help increase your agency’s profit sharing bonus? If so, what aggressive actions have you taken and has it worked? Making Strategic decisions in the key to increasing an agency’s profit sharing bonus. I put together a list of 10 items that can help an agency increase their p...

It actually has been for sometime, the internet in its current form has been around for close to 20 years. The simple transactions such as auto only are the type of policies that are being purchased online. If someone owns a home and needs an umbrella (most if not all homeowners nowadays), this is s...

I think there are some very valid replies here, but keep in mind, if an agency was doing its job, it wouldn't lose an account to a BOR. Yes, there will be some very aggressive agent who will do anything to get a BOR, but do you really want a client who will leave you with the stroke of a pen? The be...

Big Dog wrote:Wow...golly. Could you get any more self-serving?

I know, how awful is it to share some thoughts and promote a business. I like your idea that insurance professionals should sit at their desk and wait for the phone to ring. Let's deam marketing illegal!

How aggressive do you go after a BOR? Do you prefer to do a BOR than to quote another carrier? How do your clients react to a BOR request, are the hesitant or have you convinced you would serve them better? If someone approaches you to transfer in their policy, is that a red flag? I say this because...

I get calls about this all the time. I am no valuation expert, but I know values are increasing due to a number of reasons. First of all, there are a number of regional and national agency buyers who are looking to acquire insurance agencies and the good news is, they are funded, they have cash on h...

If so, who have you used and which vendors have provided the best leads? Do you get quality business out of the leads that you buy? What is your close ratio, how many leads to you need to close a deal at average?

What has your luck been trying to contact an insurance carrier for an agency appointment? Most insurance carriers have appointment contact information right on their website. I have compiled a list of some of the national carriers who allow you to inquire online about agency appointments, you can fi...

Rob, that came out from left field, perhaps you can explain yourself a little more.

I guess my "real world" experience is very different than your "real world" experience, I see have seen Agencies who used to do the "non-standard" market either go out of business or shift to preferred risks. The reality is, your world is very different than my world, d...

I took CIC courses, however those are advanced courses, perhaps best after you have been selling for at least a year. The good news is, a lot of insurance carriers put on their own product training, also if you get an opportunity with an agency that has many producers, you will have mentors in addit...