Dazed & Confused

[ChillyWilly72]

I am 36 and have spent the last 10 years in import and distribution. I recently relocated to northern California and returned to school but with the recent downturn in the economy I am forced to give up school and get a job. Problem is I hate import and distribution so I have been looking elsewhere and stumbled upon insurance, something I had never really considered but seems like a good opportunity at a career that can be lucrative and is based on my performance. I have a strong work ethic and genuinely like to help people which is how I see insurance.

So I have been checking out insurance for a week and interviewed at Farmers, Pennsylvania Life and New York Life, but now, after doing a little reading I am more confused than ever. I have zero insurance experience, no licenses and no college degree.

My understanding is that you can be a captive or independent. Captive-work for one of the big guys selling their stuff exclusively. Independent-work representing anyone who will let me. I definitely like the latter as I feel as though I can better serve people with more options but have no experience and no money so don't see this as an immediate possibility so my thoughts are to go captive, learn the ropes and get licenses then work on new opportunities. Does this seem like a good idea? Is there a better way? Is a license an easy thing that I could do on my own or with an indy and skip the captive thing? I am getting older and have a family and don't have the time to bs around so I need to get going asap. Will an indy realy give me a chance or is captive the only realy possibility for someone with zero experience? And if I do go captive, what are good companies to work for price to cust and commission/support wise (that would actually give a novice a chance)?

Also, what kind of insurance is there? I have read alot of negative about P&C here, especially if the emphasis is on auto. H&L seems like a good area but I want to cater to small to med business because they seem like a safer bet. Also in cating to them I started to think about workers comp, liability and whatever else they have to have to be in business. Also what about doctors medical malpractice, you always hear about how bad that is for the doctors, must be great for an agent?

Would the Farmers deal be a bad idea to get my chops? Please help

Dazed & Confused

P.S. please help, my eyes are bloodshot from reading and I feel more confused now than ever.

 

[xrac]

I am 36 and have spent the last 10 years in import and distribution. I recently relocated to northern California and returned to school but with the recent downturn in the economy I am forced to give up school and get a job. Problem is I hate import and distribution so I have been looking elsewhere and stumbled upon insurance, something I had never really considered but seems like a good opportunity at a career that can be lucrative and is based on my performance. I have a strong work ethic and genuinely like to help people which is how I see insurance.

So I have been checking out insurance for a week and interviewed at Farmers, Pennsylvania Life and New York Life, but now, after doing a little reading I am more confused than ever. I have zero insurance experience, no licenses and no college degree.

My understanding is that you can be a captive or independent. Captive-work for one of the big guys selling their stuff exclusively. Independent-work representing anyone who will let me. I definitely like the latter as I feel as though I can better serve people with more options but have no experience and no money so don't see this as an immediate possibility so my thoughts are to go captive, learn the ropes and get licenses then work on new opportunities. Does this seem like a good idea? Is there a better way? Is a license an easy thing that I could do on my own or with an indy and skip the captive thing? I am getting older and have a family and don't have the time to bs around so I need to get going asap. Will an indy realy give me a chance or is captive the only realy possibility for someone with zero experience? And if I do go captive, what are good companies to work for price to cust and commission/support wise (that would actually give a novice a chance)?

Also, what kind of insurance is there? I have read alot of negative about P&C here, especially if the emphasis is on auto. H&L seems like a good area but I want to cater to small to med business because they seem like a safer bet. Also in cating to them I started to think about workers comp, liability and whatever else they have to have to be in business. Also what about doctors medical malpractice, you always hear about how bad that is for the doctors, must be great for an agent?

Would the Farmers deal be a bad idea to get my chops? Please help

Dazed & Confused

P.S. please help, my eyes are bloodshot from reading and I feel more confused now than ever.

What type of insurance you sell depends upon your own personal interests, desires, and market. You can start out captive or independent but it is almost very hard to succeed if one doesn't have someone to help train them and be their mentor. You can find that Indy or Captive. I would not do the Farmer gig.

 

[myinsurebiz]

In my opinion - a newby should start by marketing one insurance type - my recommendation is Easy Issue Life - well, because it's easy.

You can do it from a telephone and can earn a commission in virtually 48 hours after making a sale.

Unlike other insurance types - you don't need to be an "adviser" - you can just sell the client what they are seeking.

Easy Issue = Easy Sales = Easy Earning . . .

Good Luck,

Tom

 

[ChillyWilly72]

If not farmers then who should I look at?

And what other types of insurance are there? I have read quite a few comments about P&C being tuff or at least the worst bang for the buck? How do the other types fare and which are the most lucrative?

What about the small to med biz idea? Is it a good one?

How is medical malpractice? Anyone here do that?

How can I tell if one is reputable or not? There are a ton of listing on careerbuilder alone and I can't figure out which ones are good and which ones are crap.

Same question about EZ Life, who? So many choices.

I really appreciate an help you guys/gals can give? I am sick and tired of the bs at typical job and really want something that will reward my hard work and this seems like the ticket (obviouly once I become indy-whenever that happens). I don't have any expecations at this point, I just want to get my chops and get rolling, I have a hunger and really want to open up a can of whoop ass on this endeaver.

Thanks

Jerry
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Anyone? Is this a bad question or something? I did use search and have read 4 pages worth of posts. Help? Please?

 

[ChillyWilly72]

Am I breaking some sacred forum rule or does my breath stink? Why no responses? Perhaps you guys specialize in experienced sellers only, which is fine but please at least point me in a decent direction.

Thanks

Jerry

 

[Slim]

Am I breaking some sacred forum rule or does my breath stink? Why no responses? Perhaps you guys specialize in experienced sellers only, which is fine but please at least point me in a decent direction.

Thanks

Jerry

Well Jerry ,

If you sit on a toilet when posting as your avatar suggests, somethings bound to stink right?

Seriously , maybe you should search more than 4 pages. Maybe you should start by studying to get your license and be sure you even like the business. You have to be suited for it too.

Usually there is a school to prepare you for exam so you can be sure to pass before yoiu take exam. Some Companies that are captive will help you get licensed. If you can get on with New York Life and believe you can write 6-10 whole life policies each month for 3 - 6 months then you can't lose by going that direction.

Your first post indicates you have some knowledge but some discrepancies also . Don't take personal the response or lack of response.

If you don't have time for BS then don't listen to a recruiter.

If your eyes are blood shot from reading what little you say you read so far then insurance is probably not the place for you unless you do not mind blood spewing eyes. It is a biz which requires much reading .

If you are more confused than ever , let the information overload settle and simmer a bit.

Write down what cases the confusion and research answers to that. Look at other industries at the same time .

Import and distribution sounds like a transportation logistics background. Sales jobs may be available in your area for that. What other related businesses work with your current skills and interests? The turn-over rate is high in Insurance Industry for new recruits.

Maybe these ramblings will make sense .

 

[ProsperSBC]

In my opinion - a newby should start by marketing one insurance type - my recommendation is Easy Issue Life - well, because it's easy.

You can do it from a telephone and can earn a commission in virtually 48 hours after making a sale.

Unlike other insurance types - you don't need to be an "adviser" - you can just sell the client what they are seeking.

Easy Issue = Easy Sales = Easy Earning . . .

Good Luck,

Tom

Hey Tom I want to write sales over the phone, I'd like to learn more shoot me an email
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Joint Work (learn by doing) Captive will offer benefits upfront. Later on you get hosed on the FYC but some captives still have a very generous Defined Benefit Pension.
Search by company ratings and what you want to do, explore your natural market.

 

[ChillyWilly72]

Thanks Slim your post helped, not only with info but in reminding me that sometimes I need to take a step back and try something new.

 

[Slim]

Anytime chillywilly.