Becoming an Independent Insurance Agent

I would like to get some feedback about TheGeneralAgent.com LLC that is managed by Wesley Brinson.Especially from agents who areworking with him.

Thanks,
Alon

He seems like a fine family man, smart and friendly. He has regular training webinars. He's accessible. He's helpful when you seek him out. But he's very, very, very busy and so the 'squeaky wheel gets the grease."

With the new Health care law - there's been a lot more silence from him. He hasn't written much about HCR and definitely hasn't given any warnings or said anything negative. When I asked how it will impact our business, I just got an old pep talk. And his regular webinars seem to be fewer.

Wes and other GAs may not have as much interest in their agents as before. I'm not one of his top producers - perhaps they get more contact.

I don't rely on one source for help and info and I actually get more help and diverse input here from this forum.

If I could do it over, I would read this forum first and look into the GAs from this forum. Although now I might just go directly through the carriers. That's how I quote anyway.

Not sure if this is typical, but he has "partners" through the different carriers which is quite confusing at first. I would ask "who is this?" when I received an email or correspondence from someone and he would answer - my partner with GR or Aetna, etc.

I suggest you ask the members here to tell you about their GA and why they like him/her. Or perhaps the GAs on this list can tell why you should sign with them? Hope this helps!
Sue
 
if you want to switch UHC key brokers it can be done, H1 you may be sol...depends if you want to ghost write for a while or not-
 
Great tips here John. I appreciate your willingness to set the bar for helping people start off their career realistically and with proper perspective.
 
Hello,

I am a newbie interested in becoming an independent insurance agent in Virginia for health and life. Is Virginia a good state to sell insurance?
 
I have been licensed for life health VA for 6 weeks. I don't really like what I am seeing at the cative companies that I have interviewed with. I would like to explore going Independant.
Will I need to incorporate myself or do I find an independant brokerage firm?
 
I have been licensed for life health VA for 6 weeks. I don't really like what I am seeing at the cative companies that I have interviewed with. I would like to explore going Independant.
Will I need to incorporate myself or do I find an independant brokerage firm?

I think first you need to identify a product that you want to sell.

I would suggest that you not start out trying to be all things to all people. Pick one product and become an expert on it. Then, look to expanding into other kinds of insurance.

For example, it is very easy to start with Med Supps and cross selling Final Expense. Once an agent has that down pat then he can begin offering LTCi and possibly annuities to his existing clients.

I would suggest you give very careful consideration before going with an agency/brokerage firm. Most will make you assign your commissions and pay you a greatly reduced commission. Once you sign on the dotted line you are locked in.

You do not need to incorporate. I've been an agent for seventeen years and I'm just Frank Stastny.
 
John,

Very good information you are giving out... do you do anything else besides Health insurance. would love to have you on my team
 
Does anyone know the names of the clusters/networks that an independent agent can join in michigan for carrier access?

I think they are different than a GA, since you get contingent income, etc. and own your book in full. But they usually charge a monthly then take some % of the contingent income, but can provide access to 100+ carriers.

I know ISU does multi state, but the other ones I know about from my california dealings do not, PIIB, UVIS, etc.

So if someone knows of clusters or carrier access on michigan specifically I would be thrilled.
thanks
 
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