health insurance agent questions
- Thread starter florida2001
- Start date
Robert Turnbull
New Member
- 4
Like a few other folks in here, I stumbled into the Medicare Market. After 9 years, the role remains compelling and there is always something new to learn.
A captive role with a carrier will give you a good level of knowledge about the products they represent and could be a viable path to going independent in the future. Around this time of year, a lot of carriers will be gearing up for the Annual Election Period (Medicare) and Open Enrollment Period (ACA). They bulk up in late summer and lay off in January/Feb.
Another option is to find an agency who will give you the training and access to leads. Be cautious of who you work with. There are a lot of really good folks out there, but there are also some not-so-nice agencies. Find out the Fair Market Value for Street-Level Agents for the products you plan to represent. Shop around and make a decision that is right for you.
If you're all-in, you can partner with an independent FMO to start building your own business right away. It's not easy, but I've worked with plenty of folks who've managed to build a sizable book of business with little to no knowledge prior to licensing. Again, it's difficult and takes a lot of work. But the sooner you start and the early effort you put in pays off in the renewals you receive down the line.
One key item to consider:
1. How is your business vested? Some agencies/carriers will require a time-frame through which your business is not your own. After the vesting period, your renewals will follow you where you go. Don't get stuck working for someone else if you'd prefer to build your own Book of Business.
A captive role with a carrier will give you a good level of knowledge about the products they represent and could be a viable path to going independent in the future. Around this time of year, a lot of carriers will be gearing up for the Annual Election Period (Medicare) and Open Enrollment Period (ACA). They bulk up in late summer and lay off in January/Feb.
Another option is to find an agency who will give you the training and access to leads. Be cautious of who you work with. There are a lot of really good folks out there, but there are also some not-so-nice agencies. Find out the Fair Market Value for Street-Level Agents for the products you plan to represent. Shop around and make a decision that is right for you.
If you're all-in, you can partner with an independent FMO to start building your own business right away. It's not easy, but I've worked with plenty of folks who've managed to build a sizable book of business with little to no knowledge prior to licensing. Again, it's difficult and takes a lot of work. But the sooner you start and the early effort you put in pays off in the renewals you receive down the line.
One key item to consider:
1. How is your business vested? Some agencies/carriers will require a time-frame through which your business is not your own. After the vesting period, your renewals will follow you where you go. Don't get stuck working for someone else if you'd prefer to build your own Book of Business.
- 5,897
To the original question... I needed a job at the the time so I could feed some kids.
What I found was a profession that allowed me freedom and enough rope to hang myself out to dry if I did not push. (I'm not much of a pusher.
)I did door2door cancer insurance sells which was the most difficult thing I've ever done... but I got a quick PhD in people skills.
NOTE: If you are unable to sell yourself... you won't make it. Trust is at an all time low among folks and what was once easy to build now takes skill and know how.
And there you have it... but what do I know, I'm just old and crabby like about 80% of the guys on here. (OK, I pulled the 80% number out of my butt... it's probably higher.)
Bryan Smith
New Member
- 15
I was captive 11 years ago with a W2 position at Humana, I had great training, but that was a long time ago. Nowadays, You can jump on YouTube and get the same in-depth training I had over a decade ago but at your leisure. The problem with this industry is that Agents tend to focus too much on training and not enough on doing. You can most definitely Zoom yourself in and out of this business at the same time. My advice is to read, watch, listen and study. Then take the required AHIP exam, align with an FMO, certify with the carriers you wish to represent. Go and meet those Carrier Reps as well, and start with who you know, and ask your FMO for some ride-along support for a couple appointments. I spent 3 weeks in a hotel in Kentucky learning the ins- and outs of Medicare for 8 hrs per day. I don't feel like I learned anything until I had my first appointment alongside my trainer. (who was supposed to do 5 ride a longs) But I stopped him after the 1st one and said, "Ok I get it" and was off to the races after that.
- 30,397
You sure seem to pull a lot of stuff out of your butt.(OK, I pulled the 80% number out of my butt... )
Macho version of the fanny packYou sure seem to pull a lot of stuff out of your butt.
- 30,397
