I am confused about this profession

[Rena2020]

I just got here not long ago, and from what I am reading about so many companies, charge backs, don't drink the kool aid, not sure where to go from here. I had such good intentions when I went to school and got my licence. P & C, Life, health and accident. So I thought I was going to be dealing with mostly legit people, but I read here that it is pretty difficult to find a reputable company to work with. I am too new to go out on my own, I really thought by reading the posts here that I would find my new career. I hope I can still find a good place to work, it must be out there or you all wouldn't be here! I am going to keep reading and learning. Enjoy the evening folks thanks for listening.

 

[DHK]

Thanks for the report.

Let me ask you this: when you got your insurance licenses, what did you have in mind? What kind of people did you want to be working with? What kinds of insurance did you see yourself selling?

 

[Rena2020]

HI DHK, to be perfectly honest, I was not sure, I knew I wanted to do something different than what I have been doing, before I got my licence I was approached by a supplemental insurance company so that is why I went ahead and drank the kool aid, and got my license, I really liked the product they sell, I felt it was a great company, but door knocking was not my thing. I just was not good at it, made no money. So know reading these boards has scared me. Now not sure what I want. I know it is not easy to get started I understand that, and I know nothing is for free. I just want a good honest company to work for.

 

[classymike85]

Hey Rena, i work for a captive company and i was new to insurance when i started working here. the safety net of training, base salary and benefits really helped me to learn what i was doing with out being rushed. I know that in the long run, going independent is the right call for many, but please message i might be able to help.

 

[DHK]

I just want a good honest company to work for.

This might not be the profession for you.

First, a forum bias: many of us here are independent and we are jaded by various experiences. So we generally prefer to just get our own selling contracts, find our own prospects, and simply 'trust' that companies will honor our selling agreements.

Here's what may surprise you: YOU really should be interviewing THEM.

This blog, while based in Singapore, is a decent place to start.

Interview Part 3 - Guide to Interview the Interviewer

 

[Markthebroker]

This might not be the profession for you.

First, a forum bias: many of us here are independent and we are jaded by various experiences. So we generally prefer to just get our own selling contracts, find our own prospects, and simply 'trust' that companies will honor our selling agreements.

Here's what may surprise you: YOU really should be interviewing THEM.

This blog, while based in Singapore, is a decent place to start.

Interview Part 3 - Guide to Interview the Interviewer

Rena2020 may be able to go work for an office as a csr or employee producer and do quite well at it. There are CSR's who can't sell, they just do what they are told, and are happy. There is a producer here in my office that doesn't really sell, she just takes incoming calls and referrals and just processes the sale, not what I would call "selling", just order taking. She can't go out and make sales. She's tried, it's not in her.

Rena2020 may not fit within what we on the forum look for in the industry, but she might make a great csr, underwriter, or employee.

It definitely doesn't sound like she's cut out to go indi, I'll give you that. A few years ago before I implemented my referral system, things got a little slow in the office, so I went up the street and went bangin' on doors. I spent about 5 hrs and it ultimately turned into 3 about accounts for about $75,000 in commercial p&c premium. Oh, and two life insurance policies. Any indi agent should be able to do something like that.

 

[PeaceDuck]

This might not be the profession for you. I think so, too!

 

[KOC Agent]

How did everyone responding determine that this industry might not be a good fit for her? Give her a chance first before shovelling her into the discard pile.

Rena,
If you are interested in the life, accident and health market why don't you investigate career agencies like New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, Mass Mutual and Guardian. They oftentimes offer a stipend of some sort to help you get started and have good training programs that will actually teach you about the industry and product offerings. What you learn while preparing for your license exams is primarily about state laws and general info; important yet not necessarily what's going to help you succeed in the business.

Reading books by John Savage, Ben Feldman, Steve Schiffman, etc will give you some insight into what it will take to be successful. Check out the Insurance Pro Shop as an additional resource as well.

As far as P&C goes, I don't have the experience but would suggest exploring what opportunities a State Farm or Allstate local office might offer you training wise.

Learn what you're doing first, give yourself a fighting chance before throwing in the towel. Lastly, stay away from the MLM shops, their model will have you hiring and training folks before you even know what you're doing- blind leading the blind, etc.

Good luck.

 

[DayTimer]

How did everyone responding determine that this industry might not be a good fit for her?

I think it was because of the comment that door knocking was not for him/her. There really is no easier, quicker way to succeed in this business and than to go out and knock on doors and ask for the business. If you do not have a sizable warm market to go to then you either must be well-capitalized so that you can buy leads, or you need to go out and hit the pavement. And even if you were well capitalized, buying leads but lacking the skills to prospect and close those leads will lead to failure.

 

[Life Hawk]

but door knocking was not my thing.

Was your company providing cancer coverage by chance?