Search found 16 matches

by ocbroker
Mon Dec 03, 2018 11:53 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Starting an Insurance Career at 40
Replies: 1
Views: 20199

Re: Starting an Insurance Career at 40

Good luck to you. As my handle indicates, I'm a broker here in Orange County. I could likely give you some pointers with regards to starting up a brokerage here in Southern California. But I'm not going to be very helpful with the nuances of a state like Idaho. My suspicion is that the dynamics of c...
by ocbroker
Tue May 22, 2018 2:39 pm
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Advice on switching to independent
Replies: 5
Views: 12156

Re: Advice on switching to independent

My advice would be to reach out to a handful of local marketing reps for preferred carriers and ask them for recommendations. Any marketing rep worth his/her salt should be able to rattle off a list of 5 nearby agencies with strong reputations. If you don't have any existing connections or know wher...
by ocbroker
Fri Feb 03, 2017 11:17 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Industry salaries - AM/AE
Replies: 1
Views: 7134

Re: Industry salaries - AM/AE

I would imagine that it would depend on the city/state where she was located.

$55,000 in Southern California sounds about right to start. In the Midwest? Probably not.
by ocbroker
Wed Nov 16, 2016 10:57 pm
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Career Advice - COO /Agency Manager of an Ind
Replies: 3
Views: 10550

Re: Career Advice - COO /Agency Manager of an Ind

Without knowing the specifics of compensation, responsibilities, and/or job duties (both where you are at currently and within the position you are considering), it's really tough for anyone to give informed advice. My personal experience is that sales manager positions within retail agencies tend t...
by ocbroker
Mon Feb 23, 2015 11:52 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Is Google going to run the independent agent out of business
Replies: 20
Views: 141376

Re: Is Google going to run the independent agent out of busi

maestro, it is too soon to tell exactly what impact this will have. However, I can tell you one thing, and most independent agents do not like to hear this, but I believe it to be true. If you and I do not learn how to sell on other factors other than price, then the IA companies do not need the ag...
by ocbroker
Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:13 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Take the Harford "Agent's Challenge"
Replies: 28
Views: 53189

Re: Take the Harford "Agent's Challenge"

Some of us need to retire. I’ve been doing this for 27yrs now and people seem to get grumpier and grumpier. Maybe my perspective is just a little different as I worked on the carrier side for 15yrs and now 12yrs successfully in the IA world. This is not a “Hartford” issue; almost every carrier has ...
by ocbroker
Tue Dec 23, 2014 2:29 pm
Forum: Opinions
Topic: "I don't want to tell you my current premiums"
Replies: 15
Views: 32224

Re: "I don't want to tell you my current premiums"

I agree with both of the above. If a prospect is not forthcoming it is either because 1. They have a warped/cynical view of the insurance process and believe any premium information shared will be used against them. I have seen clients like this express disdain for both insurance carriers and broker...
by ocbroker
Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:48 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Combinability of Interest
Replies: 9
Views: 29539

Re: Combinability of Interest

In California, yes they are combined for rating purposes. Splitting the risks is acceptable, but it is done at the discretion of each individual carrier. I believe that the State Fund doesn't allow it, which would limit your ability to place two policies separately, in your example of a pillow mfg/d...
by ocbroker
Thu Oct 09, 2014 1:23 pm
Forum: Opinions
Topic: The next five years
Replies: 15
Views: 23240

Re: The next five years

Speaking of the crystal ball for the next 5 years... Apparently Hartford agrees with the proposition that small commercial business has also become a commodity. They have decided to discontinue sending policies to agents. We are now forced to either push PDFs on our Hartford customers or act as pri...
by ocbroker
Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:49 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: The next five years
Replies: 15
Views: 23240

Re: The next five years

I agree with the comments above. We are realigning our agency with insurance companies that do not have multiple distribution channels, value the independent agency system and compensate fairly. Agents need to wake up and fight back if they want to stay in this business or sell their agency. I agre...
by ocbroker
Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:38 am
Forum: Opinions
Topic: Travelers reducing commissions
Replies: 69
Views: 219816

Re: Travelers reducing commissions

Lonestar, I'm sure the recent article about Travelers tripling their 4th quarter profit just fueled your frustration, no?
by ocbroker
Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:36 am
Forum: Hard-to-Place Accounts
Topic: Foreign work comp for home health
Replies: 1
Views: 5845

Re: Foreign work comp for home health

AIG through Worldsource division is probably your best bet. They have a very good foreign travel policy that I believe includes WC. You will need to check with your domestic comp carrier as well, however. If it is with SCIF, you should be ok, but if it is placed through a preferred market, they may ...
by ocbroker
Wed Dec 11, 2013 12:24 pm
Forum: Hard-to-Place Accounts
Topic: Illinois Midwest Work Comp- tool mfg 3099
Replies: 1
Views: 7221

Re: Illinois Midwest Work Comp- tool mfg 3099

My understanding is that Illinois Midwest will only work with contracted retail agencies. I used to have a few policies with them through a GA, but their contract was terminated about 2 years ago. I spoke with the rep and they told me they were eliminating all of their wholesale appointments. I didn...
by ocbroker
Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:48 pm
Forum: Hard-to-Place Accounts
Topic: workcomp ca metal mfg 3066 code
Replies: 2
Views: 4560

Re: workcomp ca metal mfg 3066 code

With no prior, its going to be tough. SCIF or Chartis might be your best bet. 1st Comp used to write them but Im not sure if they do new ventures.
by ocbroker
Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:56 pm
Forum: Hard-to-Place Accounts
Topic: Can you get different rates for same insurer?
Replies: 7
Views: 10848

Re: Can you get different rates for same insurer?

In my experience, the discretionary credits that carriers apply can be different depending on the agency. The underwriters who I have a good relationship with will sometimes stretch for me when i need help on pricing. I would be naive to think the same thing wasn't happening in reverse sometimes.