Re: How can a new agent obtain appointments?
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:34 pm
Give us a call at Martplan. We have a selection of companies that can accomodate your needs.
Marc Anthony at 949-463-6751
Marc Anthony at 949-463-6751
Insurance Forums for the Property Casualty Insurance Industry
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https://www.insurancejournal.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3460
A few problems with the comments above. First of all, the person above is a "Farmers Agent" so this is not coming from a pure Independent Agency Principal. Some things above just does not make any sense, for example the individual talks about getting appointed direct in all "50 State." The problem with this is, unless he has a huge operation (which I doubt from the his description), it's unlikely (if not impossible) that this person has appointments with first rate carriers like Safeco, Travelers, Chubb, Hartford and the other national large carriers. These carriers don't appoint agencies on the fly, it's not reality. Also in order to meet profit sharing minimums, you need to be part of a pooled volume, so this is where the aggregators come in. InsuranceNoodle and Wholesalers provide a great service, but one is not appointed directly when they go through middlemen like this, also more than likely they get a lower cut. Going through wholesalers is perfect for Farmers Agents who are not full time Independents, those who need a single market for one risk and who don't do enough to get profit sharing. An aggregator is an investment, however the return on investment in the long run is significantly better for those who plan on doing a minimum of 100k (on the very low side) a year or more in revenues. The aggregator provides markets (often direct appointments) and more often than not, contingencies and profit sharing. I have seen some who have tried to start an agency by doing this way, by trying to go direct and through wholesalers. However in due time, they are seeking out the right aggregator (agency cluster, network, alliance, etc) as they learn it's not possible to start a viable preferred agency without these organizations.jkearns wrote:Personaly, I would stay away from aggregators, clusters, franchises, networks, and wholesalers. Specially, if they require a monthly fee or an annual fee more then $250.00. It's just not worth it. It's better to go and get diret appointements or work with MGA's or program administrators.
I'm licensed in 20 states, and planning to eventually be licensed in all 50 and DC. In my resident states I'm appointed as a modified-captive-direct agent with Farmers.