2008 Lead Company Update

[thereaper]

You love them. You hate them. You love them again. You leave them. But for many of you...despite the frustration...they are profitable for you.

Here's the latest:



DISCOUNTINSURANCELEADS.COM- The Good- Plenty of leads and easy to navigate site. The Bad-Overpriced and somehow, many of the leads end up with other lead companies. Note-They are a reseller.



HEALTHLEADSDIRECT.COM The Good-Very low prices. The Bad-Poor quality leads that have been sold numerous times.


HOMETOWNQUOTES- I have not used them in a while, so I'm not familiar with their current policies. When I did use them, the quality was poor and I believe an EHEALTH link was provided to each prospect.


INSURANCELEADZ- The Good: They often offer a trial period which consists of free leads. Quality of lead is above-average. Good filters. The Bad- Prices are too high. Confusing printout of leads does not identify which medical condition coincides with which applicant. They claim 10%-30% closing rate but refused to offer documentation after numerous requests.


Insureme- The Good: Volume is never a problem and you control the filters. The Bad: They are now overpriced in many areas and use UHC call centers more than any lead provider. Minimum daily purchase requirement.
Note:Unless you want to be inundated with leads, be very selective in choosing your geographic areas.


LEADCO-The Good: They claim they do not use affiliates, and I believe that is true. Generous credit policy and good customer service. Generally, not a bundle of agents to compete with. Prices are competitive. The Bad: Lackluster filters and confusing printouts (ie nonsmokers often indicated by a number...not Y or N).


Netquote- The Good: Plenty of filters and decent credit policy. Prices are competitive. The Bad: Ongoing battle with affiliates, although they are making some headway. Note: If you use Netquote, make sure you request zip codes with no more than four agents and update your areas quarterly.



PROSPECT ZONE (Select leads)- The Good- Prices are competitive. Decent filters. Good volume available. The Bad: For whatever reason, a high percentage of leads are single with low income.


VIMO- The Good: Plenty of volume and helpful customer service. For the most part, leads are not oversold. Prices are competitive. The Bad: Only four filtered medical questions means many of the leads have health problems not indicated. Every prospect gets an "instant quote" which is generally inaccurate. "Live" leads seem to be waining in popularity. Note:It is possible that the number of filters will be increased in the next 90 days.

Well maybe prospect zone worked for you but I just started a free trial thru norvax, the leads come from prospectzone. Yesterday I decided to activate my leads and took three, called each one of them, one was pregnant and one was ficticious. Well as my free trial agreement stated I could get credit for those 2. When I went into the website and put the lead id and the reason, I was immediately autoresponded I had gone over my quota of returned leads. Those were the first 2 I have ever taken from them. I tried to call, they couldn't take calls because they were too busy. Well to say the least my free trial with norvax and prospect zone isn't impressing me. Well actually it wasn't a free trial I put up $100 thru a health insurer to join their producers club and the norvax and leads came with it.

 

[Chadcs]

"Why aren't there any "lead" sites where an applicant fills out their information, then is allowed to select a few local agents to have contact them when they submit it?"

Actually...InsureMe tried that concept in certain areas (ours was one) about a year ago. Consumers could pick between 1 and 8 brokers. I loved it. My lead count went down, but those that chose me realized I was local. Closing ratio went up.

But...InsureMe got rid of the program this year. I'm sure they had their reasons.

perhaps not enough money in it or a conflict of interest in what they're currently doing (shrug)

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

thereaper...You were reading my initial post in January. When I updated the lead companies this month...I changed my tune on PZ leads.

They are indeed some of the worst available leads available to mankind.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

They are indeed some of the worst available leads available to mankind.

Chumps, I hope you'll indulge me briefly for a question?

I've never known a Rhodes Scholar. What year(s) were you at Oxford? Did you get to smoke dope with Bill Clinton?

The avatar is my tribute...

 

[djs]

My P&C knowledge lapsed about 7 years ago, but doesn't the modern HO-3 policy form include guaranteed replacement coverage?

hahahahahhahahahah... oh forgive me.... hahhahahahaha....
..... recompose myself.....

Thanks for the laugh Even though it was probably unintentional.

I don't know about other states, but I don't think any carriers in California offer guaranteed replacement coverage anymore. The big turning point was the Oakland hills fires.

It turns out agents were bidding for business by lowering the replacement coverage, figuring it didn't matter since it was guaranteed anyway. Then you start getting homes that cost $2,000,000 to rebuild that were insured for $50,000, you have a rate problem.

This is extremely prevelant in California, where many people have done SIGNIFICANT upgrades to their homes, which tends to make them SIGNIFICANTLY underinsured. You remodel your 1950's 'Honeymooners' style kitchen to a luxury kitchen and wham, you are $50-$70K underinsured. You add in that 500 square foot addon, and it continues.

Nope, the modern HO-3 policy requires insuring for 100% of the value, and then you can add on extended replacement cost. If you get under 80% insured, then you can have co-insurance issues (with you being the other carrier) as well.

The nice thing is, most people want their home insured well. Far more so than their cars, or even their health.

Dan

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Moon...That avatar makes my "Top-10" list of your avatars!

I was in Oxford from 1976-1980. And truthfully, I never smoked dope (or even cigarettes). I was (and still am) pretty goofy without that stuff.

 

[somarco]

Dang it Paul. Where did you find that picture (avatar) of me cutting Chump's hair?

 

[thereaper]

thereaper...You were reading my initial post in January. When I updated the lead companies this month...I changed my tune on PZ leads.

They are indeed some of the worst available leads available to mankind.

That's ok I knew the post was old. I had no choice since I signed up for the producers club. I made half of that back yesterday and not from their leads. You see I would think Norvax would do something about it since it's thru their site and the trial is show us agents how great their system is. I have considered setting up a site with Norvax for the past year, I now have my answer on what to do. I won't go with Norvax.

 

[lookin4abetterwayinpa]

Dang it Paul. Where did you find that picture (avatar) of me cutting Chump's hair?

The trials and tribulations of two young black men trying to find there way in a mostly white Oxford in the 1970's.

Paul, tell me if I win the prize. Is this a picture froma Big Daddy Kane album,tape, whatever, circa 1987? The Wrath of Kane I think it was called.

 

[somarco]

picture froma Big Daddy Kane album,tape, whatever, circa 1987? The Wrath of Kane I think it was called

Close, but I can understand your confusion.

The picture was from "Citizen Chumps".

We later went on to make a sci-fi pic, "The Wrath of Chumps".