The best way to do a check out one of these organizations is to talk to current members, especially the longer term members. There are a few ways you can find out who is in their membership: 1. Check their website, many groups list their members 2. Check their Department of Insurance License on thei...

When I was making the jump from Captive to Independant, my direct appointments told me to stay away from Clusters. One bad agent can spoil it for the entire cluster. If your going on your own, go on your own. Just my opinion. Cluster groups for the most part do a great job managing their agencies a...

For some of us learning the insurance terminology could you please descirbe what a cluster is? I have a few articles on these groups on my website: An Overview of Agency Clusters, Alliances, or Networks http://www.agencyequity.com/articles/25-an-overview-of-agency-clusters-alliances-or-networks Que...

I would keep doing what you are doing for about another year, I like to see at the very least 5 years experience before one opens up the door to their own independent insurance agency, but 3 years at the very minimum. I put together a 9 page guide on starting an insurance agency that will gives almo...

You can find a directory of cluster groups throughout the USA and even worldwide on AgencyEquity.com - use link below and view the resource menu. The site search allows you to locate a group by state or country.

If you are a member of a Cluster group (essentially any aggregator, including Alliances, Agency Networks and Franchises), what benefits have you seen from making this strategic decision? You can post your reply as well as vote below.

The risks of going on and doing nothing can come back later to haunt your firm. Remember, it's not up to your firm to determine who is an 1099 and who is a w-4, it's the the IRS guidelines that determine this. I would beleive if you did not do this, they may end up at coming later time coming back a...

Hello to all... I am new to this forum, but not new to the insurance industry. I am currently a Farmers Insurance agent (5 years) and am frustrated and angry with the company. My frustrations? You name it... the lack of ethics within the corporate management to idiot DMs to the increasing micro man...

If you are an Insurance Agency Principal, I welcome you to join my group titled "Insurance Agency Principals" at:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3099 ... =hb_side_g

The AgencyEquity Guide to Starting an Insurance Agency, which is a 9 page guide that goes over the basics of starting an Insurance Agency from A to Z, is now online. To access this guide directly, please click this URL: http://www.agencyequity.com/component/content/article/20-guides/138-guide-to-sta...

Contigencies provide a better incentives for agencies to carefully underwrite accounts as well as target more profitable accounts. Carriers that allow for more leniency in underwriting to agencies that deliver favorable results is truly the way to go. Furthermore carriers that undewrite the agencies...

My guide on Starting an Insurance Agency will be posted on the site hopefully within before the week is over, it has nearly everything you will want to know about the start up process.

Yes, I totally agree for an agency to have a specialize field in their agency, because if you don't have anything that is stand out in the agency's specialty, most likely it will be drowned by other competitor agency then. I had a terrific entreprenuership instructor in college, he said if you real...

Of the total students coming through the school I would estimate: Approx 85% would be new drivers - 75% 16 yrs old - 20% 18-21 yrd old - 5% 21+ Approx 15% would be drivers that are attending driving improvement courses, due to accidents/tickets/etc... Greg, You really don't have a great market in t...

Who is your driving school market, are they 16 year olds?