IMO Wants Me to Send Apps to them

[mbiallas]

+1 on that ^^^^

I like sending my apps to EFES, Ive had errors corrected that way.

Fair enough. I've always submitted directly to the carrier and old habits are hard to break. Perhaps having a second pair of eyed look things over isn't a bad thing.

 

[WinoBlues]

If a carrier finds a missing check-box, hello amendment. If an IMO finds a missing check-box, its fixed.

For most agents, having an app scrubbed is a godsend. They may be new to insurance, do not pay attention to details, or simply unfamiliar with the company and its apps. Or some combination. Any agent in any of those situations would benefit from having the app scrubbed first.

Plus, if you don't trust your IMO, why are you doing business with them??? You do realize that with many carriers, your IMO can see most if not all the information you can online, including insured's contact info.

You are probably correct. I am slowly moving to doing things that way but it is not easy. That and unlike a lot of agents I have full time help to do all of that for me and FE apps and underwriting are anything but complicated.

As a side note, I sent in a couple trial apps to a "we do it all" IMO and so far it has run smoother than any of my other outlets. While not FE, it is showing me that others can get done.

 

[VolAgent]

You are probably correct. I am slowly moving to doing things that way but it is not easy. That and unlike a lot of agents I have full time help to do all of that for me and FE apps and underwriting are anything but complicated.

As a side note, I sent in a couple trial apps to a "we do it all" IMO and so far it has run smoother than any of my other outlets. While not FE, it is showing me that others can get done.

I will clarify. There is a difference between, "I don't have faith my IMO will do everything promised." and "I wouldn't trust my IMO even when under glaring lights."

The first is par for the course with many. The second, why are you still in a business relationship??

 

[WinoBlues]

I will clarify. There is a difference between, "I don't have faith my IMO will do everything promised." and "I wouldn't trust my IMO even when under glaring lights."

The first is par for the course with many. The second, why are you still in a business relationship??

On the first, few constantly handle my cases as well as we do. One case manager may handle a dozen agents or more. Mine only has me.

On the second, That is probably my own paranoia. While I am aware of a large IMO or MGA running through and replacing orphans. That was a half dozen years ago or so. Found out about it when clients started calling to see if I had really died.

Like I said earlier I am coming around. But slooowly.

 

[CALTCAgent]

Problem is you don't know who you can trust and who will have access at the FMO level.

I suspiciously have had many policies replaced (not final expense) when they were all written through an FMO I trusted. Can't prove anything.

I like straight to the home office.

 

[WinoBlues]

Problem is you don't know who you can trust and who will have access at the FMO level.

I suspiciously have had many policies replaced (not final expense) when they were all written through an FMO I trusted. Can't prove anything.

I like straight to the home office.

You are in California. I forget the name of the IMO that was running crazy with "orphans" replacing policies. I believe it was a California IMO.

 

[CALTCAgent]

You are in California. I forget the name of the IMO that was running crazy with "orphans" replacing policies. I believe it was a California IMO.

I always feel more nervous if the IMO is too close to me.

 

[Newby]

The FMO scrubbing the apps is another cost that you have to pay for. I would think if you are detail minded and know what you're doing you should go straight to the insurance with your apps. If you need someone to fix stuff all the time, go through the FMO. But going through the FMO adds over head for them and will come from your pocket.

 

[Agentguy5]

The problem with IMO'S receiving the App is that they can always send another agent to ...

Resell YOUR client

or

Replace YOUR clients Lapsed Policy

I was with an agency that is PRESENTLY replacing ALL of their OLD agent's client's with NEW policies sold by their PRESENT agents.... This is their MAIN source of LEAD and Sales... and it's keeping the agency alive...

 

[Newby]

The problem with IMO'S receiving the App is that they can always send another agent to ...

Resell YOUR client

or

Replace YOUR clients Lapsed Policy

I was with an agency that is PRESENTLY replacing ALL of their OLD agent's client's with NEW policies sold by their PRESENT agents.... This is their MAIN source of LEAD and Sales... and it's keeping the agency alive...

It's definitely ripe for abuse. Most FMOs would never do that. But some would.