Kemper?
- Thread starter billyb
- Start date
- 4,361
I missed this when you first posted it, or I would have responded. 20 years ago I worked for companies that eventually became Kemper. I knew agents in our Virginia Beach office that were making $70-80k. So, yeah, it's probably possible to make that much as an agent, though I highly doubt that it's common. On the other hand, if you're good enough to get promoted into management, 6 figures is more likely.
But I wonder how long they'll remain as a debit company. Over the last 20-30 years, most of the captive debit carriers have exited that business. They may be the only one left of any significance.
- 19,845
Didn't another debit company just exit?
Someone told me that. But I don't remember which one.
Someone told me that. But I don't remember which one.
- 4,361
I've heard that American National may be shutting the debit down, but I haven't confirmed that.
A few months ago I ran into one of their agents who told me they're not allowed to collect cash anymore, just checks, money orders, or debit cards. It wouldn't be a big surprise if they stopped agent collections altogether, like many others before them.
Their website still shows they're hiring agents for the Career Sales & Service Division, which is their debit operation. I'm not sure what that means.
- 19,845
That's who it was. Might not be true but I was told they are shutting down their debit and also exiting FE. I never knew they were in FE.
Seems I remember a post in the American National thread stating policy holders had received a letter stating the were going to have to mail their premiums.
damadcrapper
Super Genius
- 171
The debit business has faced it's challenges in recent years. Most of the agents are older (like me) and resist changes which include technology. The remaining carriers want to move to eapps and auto drafts to improve profitability and persistency. The agents and customers still prefer old school paper and checks.
- 4,361
You're generally right about agents resisting change and tech advances. But many of us, even though somewhat older, have embraced technology as it's emerged. When I started with MetLife in 1990, we were already doing a version of e-app. It was called "Lap App" and was done entirely on a laptop, except the signature was captured on a single page. If you transmitted a clean app via modem at night, it was often issued the next day. I loved it!
Sometime after I became a debit agent, American General basically invented an early version of a tablet. We did just about everything on the "SmartPad" - collections, apps, calendars, client data, etc. The only thing I didn't like about it was the little "grocery store" receipts that replaced receipt books. Clients hated those.
But I loved the reduction in the amount of paper I had to deal with, so when my current debit company (LBL) first introduced the iPad app, I jumped on it. They recently introduced a true e-app with text signature and instant decision. I'm an early adopter on that, too. It's super easy to use. I'm not as fond of the automated underwriting that came with it. (Apparently, even if you send in a paper app, the home office just inputs it through the e-app anyway, so same result).
Many agents resist tech advances, and view them as a hindrance. I've usually found it to be a useful tool that saves time on the admin side so I can spend more time on the stuff that makes $.
- 19,845
I used that AG thingy. I forgot about hooking it up at night to submit.
But I do remember the little receipt rolls
