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First Year
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:24 pm
by shemeshka
Hi Guys, what amount of WP is one producer commercial agency in California able to produce at it's first year? On your opinion, what is reasonable, what is a good start, and what is a bad start?
I appreciate your replies.
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:12 pm
by Porter
I think if you can brake even your first year that wood be a great start. If you have no prior insurance experience I think $250k is good. Less than $200k sucks. Over $300K is great. You need to be at a million in 4 years. It also depends what area you are in. If you have low overhead you can get away with less.
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:31 pm
by shemeshka
Thanks Porter. It sounds good!
Any other opinion? Everyone agree?
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:49 pm
by Porter
That would be a great start. Sorry for the spelling.
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 6:01 pm
by InsAgentSF
i project 200K groos first year, 1 mil in 3 years and 3 mil in 5 years
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:31 pm
by shemeshka
InsAgentSF, thanks a lot for your reply. How many producers do you have in your agency?
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:02 pm
by 92builder
California has just got to be a whole different world... You're gonna write a quarter million dollars just outta the gate if you have no experience? Are you guys' policies rate-driven???
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:24 pm
by sanddog1
92builder, NO these guys can not write that kind of primium for several years, or longer. Its just as tough in CA as any where in the USA. CA is very very tight. I am refering too BOP type policies, not large accounts....
I think coming out of the gates with all history you need in this business understanding AMS and underwriting and the market placement and classes, your lucky to break 200,000. Put your ego aside this is a hard business and very rewarding.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:30 pm
by 92builder
You're talking 200K in PREMIUM, right? So what'll you make off that? 10%? 12%? 6%???
Also, can we all decide on the difference in terms between "broker" and "agent"?
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:14 am
by InsAgentSF
You're talking 200K in PREMIUM, right? So what'll you make off that? 10%? 12%? 6%???
I am talking about 200K in Revenue, which is Commissions + BF. In some cases BF are higher then commissions
Agent is a insurance professional who work for an exclusive company and sells their product only
broker works with multiple companies
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Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:09 am
by 92builder
Okay, I don't know what "BF" is, but that's an awful big # for a new guy, isn't it?
As far as these definitions go, here in the mid-west, a "broker" would be a person like a chris-leef or mj kelly that can offer program policies. An "agent" would be any licensed individual who can sell insurance, hence the name "independent insurance agent", regardless if that person is captive or not; my last agency had three "agents" in it, including the "principal". In this sense also, all three of us were also "producers".
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:12 am
by 92builder
Also, I just checked my licenses, and I'm a non-resident "producer" in Oklahoma, and an "insurance agent" in Kansas. Go figger...
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:22 am
by shemeshka
Porter, are you referring to premium or comissions?
InsAgentSF, I was asking about Written Premium, not comissions. Can you please tell me what is your first year goal for Written Premium?
Thanks
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:25 am
by Porter
I was talking written premium. Also, I assume you are a agency owner working alone. You are the only producer.
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:41 pm
by shemeshka
Porter, thanks for your reply. Yes, it's a one producer agency.
Now, question arises, how is it possible that Porter's good start for the first year is $250K in premium, and InsAgentSF's good start is $200K in commissions? The difference is huge, isn't it?