Any platform to find referral partners?

[Amirk]

Hi Everyone, my name is Amir and I'm new here. I'm a P&C agent, new to the insurance industry, so apologies for my rookie question in advance.

I'm trying to get my feet wet and based on the various threads I've read on this website, it seems like having insurance partners is key in becoming a successful agent. Based on my understanding, one of the benefits of insurance clusters is the referral relationships, but I'm not part of a cluster yet.

I know referrals probably require both parties to know each other, but I'm wondering if there is any referral platform/website which would allow me to refer customers to other agents? and vice versa. By allowing me, I mean tracking and managing the number of people I've referred to another agent or the number of referrals that I've received from other agents.

 

[Amirk]

323 views and no sign of interest, must be a very rookie question

 

[shonceman]

323 views and no sign of interest, must be a very rookie question

Maybe not lack of interest. Maybe it just doesn’t exist. I’ve personally never heard of anything like that. Are you in any networking groups, like BNI, or your local Chamber? Somebody there might have a suggestion.

 

[marindependent]

I think referalls are exceptionally difficutl to transition on an online platform, just my two cents. I have met numerous people online, but have never once referred someone until we first spoke on the phone.

 

[Amirk]

I think referalls are exceptionally difficutl to transition on an online platform, just my two cents. I have met numerous people online, but have never once referred someone until we first spoke on the phone.

That makes sense.

However, apart from insurance agent/agency partners, I was under the assumption that there should be some services/solutions to connect realtors/dealers/lenders/etc to their local agents/agencies.

I'm still searching throughout the internet and asking some friends, but no luck yet. Because of covid, it's difficult to get out there and build relationships with these people.

 

[rousemark]

323 views and no sign of interest, must be a very rookie question

One reason for so many views with no answer is you have it in the General Insurance Agent Discussions forum instead of the P&C forum. A lot of people, like me look to see what the thread is about and find we cannot answer your question becasue we don't sell P&C..

 

[rousemark]

See if there is a Business Networking International group in your area and if they have an opening for a P&C agent.. I used to be a member of a group and it was profitable.. Each member is to bring at least one referral for someone else in the group each meeting. They limit the number of members from each job category so as not to have an overload. There will be one or two realtors, a life agent, a health agent, P&C agent, plumber, electrician, builder, etc. We usually met for a continental breakfast each month for about an hour. I think the dues were about $400 per year.

 

[Thomas Scialla]

Amir, I am old school. I don't have referral tracking software. I sell primarily life insurance. I partner with guys who only sell P&C like you do. We refer each other business. He knows that I'm not going to touch his auto, home, boat etc. I know he's not going to touch my life business. You have to have trust for that. I would say one activity that has helped me build these kinds of relationships is call nights. You partner up with the guy you're partnering with. You go to his office and the two of you call people from his book trying to set appointments for you. Then the next week he comes to your office and the two of you call people from your book to try to book appointments for him. Both of you are putting in equal work and both of you are getting results. No partnership will ever be equally rewarding, but if the activity is equal on both ends that is really all that you can hope for.

 

[Markthebroker]

I get a lot of referral business from networking. Go out to events and chamber events and meet people. That's the easiest, but not an efficient use of your time.

Another way is to go and introduce yourself and visit accountants, life agents, health agents, and mortgage brokers. Visit captive agents and offer to help with business they can't write.

The first is easy, but you won't get much. The second is a bit more work, and I've gotten a ton of referral business from it. A ton.

There is also referral website called Alignable.com. I invested a lot of time in it a few years back. A total waste, from what I saw. I'd be shocked to see if you got any real business from it.

 

[Amirk]

I get a lot of referral business from networking. Go out to events and chamber events and meet people. That's the easiest, but not an efficient use of your time.

Another way is to go and introduce yourself and visit accountants, life agents, health agents, and mortgage brokers. Visit captive agents and offer to help with business they can't write.

The first is easy, but you won't get much. The second is a bit more work, and I've gotten a ton of referral business from it. A ton.

There is also referral website called Alignable.com. I invested a lot of time in it a few years back. A total waste, from what I saw. I'd be shocked to see if you got any real business from it.

Very interesting! thanks for the useful tips, especially the one about captive agents.

Actually, I came across Alignable a few days ago and was looking into it. Almost all the reviews that I saw were negative.