All Work and No Pay

[Bertolinoins]

If everything is how you say it is... then you are being taken advantage of. There are many, many different ways of compensating agents, CSR's and assitants but none of them should involve minimum wage and a subjective decision on if you brought in a client or not. I would look around for a situation with a better base and a better compensation structure.

 

[Josh]

none of them should involve minimum wage and a subjective decision on if you brought in a client or not.

What's subjective about it? The person called up the agency looking for insurance, the agent did not bring them to the table. No, asking if you can quote them on both as opposed to one or the other isn't generating your own leads.

 

[coverman]

Hello everyone. I’m new here so I’m sorry if I’m posting myquestion in the wrong forum. This question is for all agents and agentassistants.

I’ve been working as an agent’s assistant for about 6 monthsand I’m just not making any money. I’m getting paid minimum wage and I’msupposed to be getting 50% on commissions but I’m not.

Whenever someone calls for a car or home quote, I take theirinfo, I convince them to let me quote both car and home (not just one or theother), I deal with the underwriting in case they have claims to give them thebest rate that I could, I call them with the prices, email and mail out thequotes, and follow up until they get the policy. They never even speak to theagent. Yet, she takes 100% of the commission and I get nothing. I asked a fewtimes about that and her answer is always “it’s my marketing that brought themin”, when in truth, the corporation did the marketing and she only got theclient because she’s the closest agent.

Then she told me that if I can get people from her existingbook of business to get additional policies that I will get 50% of thecommission, but once again, I got nothing.

Ultimately, I learned that the only way I will getcommission is if I sell it to my family and friends. I don’t feel very motivated to sell policiesfor her when I don’t get anything out of it and then this company’s premiumsare double what other companies offer. I feel like I do all the work when she’snever even in the office, and when she is, she spends all her time on her phonetalking to her family and friends while I do all the work.

My question is; is that how all agents treat their assistants?Or should I be on the lookout for another job?

Sounds like your being taken advantage of in this situation. If you are licensed and doing all the work you should get paid for it. It might be a good idea to go independent and get equipped with carriers who have top notch products & pricing. If you get contracted with an IMO, not only can they offer you much higher compensation then 50%, but they can also provide training and teach you about products and the industry. If you would like more information about this please shoot me an email.

 

[Norwayguy]

Whenever someone calls for a car or home quote, I take theirinfo, I convince them to let me quote both car and home (not just one or theother), I deal with the underwriting in case they have claims to give them thebest rate that I could, I call them with the prices, email and mail out thequotes, and follow up until they get the policy. They never even speak to theagent. Yet, she takes 100% of the commission and I get nothing. I asked a fewtimes about that and her answer is always “it’s my marketing that brought themin”, when in truth, the corporation did the marketing and she only got theclient because she’s the closest agent.

If you don't believe the agents have a cost for all that marketing you are being naive. If the agent is paying you an hourly wage to sit there and await the phone call like you are saying they do then to not pay you a commission on the sale generated from thier marketing can be justified. I would recommend having a conversation though because minimum wage seems to be really low...But before you do that maybe you should do a couple of things:

1. Are there and other local P&C agencies hiring CSRs? If so what are they paying?
2. If you don't believe there is a huge cost to getting that business in the door why not go out on your own and try it?

 

[ActingBoss]

You're getting hosed. This is not a place to have a career at. You are being taken advantage of. Seen it before, it is easier to replace you than pay you for this agent.

I know agents that do this, they have alot of turnover as people figure it out. She has no intention of doing more than the minimum for you. wise up and leave.

How is she getting "hosed"?

She's not licensed, therefore has no credentials and no leverage.
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If you don't believe the agents have a cost for all that marketing you are being naive. If the agent is paying you an hourly wage to sit there and await the phone call like you are saying they do then to not pay you a commission on the sale generated from thier marketing can be justified. I would recommend having a conversation though because minimum wage seems to be really low...But before you do that maybe you should do a couple of things:

1. Are there and other local P&C agencies hiring CSRs? If so what are they paying?
2. If you don't believe there is a huge cost to getting that business in the door why not go out on your own and try it?

Agreed.

Lotsa folks here who've never owned businesses before acting like they know the costs of starting/maintaining one.

If the poster wants additional pay or a raise in same........the she should get a license.

 

[Josh]

Sounds like your being taken advantage of in this situation. If you are licensed and doing all the work you should get paid for it. It might be a good idea to go independent and get equipped with carriers who have top notch products & pricing. If you get contracted with an IMO, not only can they offer you much higher compensation then 50%, but they can also provide training and teach you about products and the industry. If you would like more information about this please shoot me an email.

It would appear to the casual observer that you are more focused on recruiting than reading the post, but I could be wrong. Odds are the OP is getting paid more than 50% because she is on a base which is something most agents don't get. Not that she doesn't sound good at what she does, but she's also not doing all of the work.

When did NextGen start offering P&C contracts?

 

[insurance1822]

I pay this position $12 an hour and I give bonus based off total policies sold that month. If you bring in business 100% on your own then I give 100% of the upfront commission.

Do the math on how many policies you close. Take your fixed salary against the monthly commission off what you bring to the table, and also most importantly...the renewals and bonus...

Bottom line is this....I can get a free intern to simply call call call call call and eventually bring it to close. Your def on the bottom of what the position deserves, but...many say I'm too generous.

Why dont you suggest pure commission / bonus? More incentive for you, less risk for her. That will figure things out REAL quick