New Agent Needs Help!

[lacy_amy]

I recently started with Combined Insurance and need some advice. I previously worked as an Accountant and decided to switch careers to Insurance because I liked the idea of the flexible hours and unlimited income potential. My experience with Combined has not been good because I did not have a good Territory Manager. So training is not great and there is only 2 weeks of salary and then you are one your own with 100% commission. I think that in order to make that work you need to have a substantial savings or a partner at home with a good job to help ride out the storm until you build a good book of business. I have applied with State Farm, Rural Mutual and Country Financial in hopes that I can find a better opportunity. My only worry is that I recently went through a divorce and didn't work for 15 months until I started with Combined and my credit is shot. What I'm looking for is a company that offers good training and invests in their agents. In that they offer some sort of salary until things get up and running and you can build your book of business. In the meantime I have started to look for a job and plan on doing combined when I can. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[WinoBlues]

Hi,

You are in a tough spot. If you are a single mom. you are in a really tough spot. As if you needed to be told that.

Working commission from scratch is going to be next to impossible. Add daycare and odd hours into the mix. Even worst. OK that is some of the negative.

IF I were starting out and had zero dollars. I would look at a salary and commission deal. A great deal would be if you found an older agent that would mentor you. In exchange you being the grunt. Make the calls, print the maps, build the files, hell, make the coffee, Whatever.

Maybe a CSR in a P&C office.

On the Life side Finale Expense is easy to learn and fast commissions.

Good luck.

oh, just my opinion but Combined and AFLAC are a no starter. Fast track to broke.

 

[Larry Tew]

I need to save this post so I can use it over and over, because this issue seems to come up almost daily. If you are considering financial services as a career, talk to the captive companies in your area such as MetLife. They aren't so hyper-pro elite that you have to be polished / squeaky clean to be considered. They will have you do an "aptitude" questionnaire to determine if the financial industry is a good fit for you. Bad credit can be explained, but a bankruptcy would be a tough sale. There are other companies as well, but the number of companies that can do a credible job of bringing in a brand new person to the industry are dwindling.

If you're going to make a career with Combined or AFLAC, you might as well just become an Amway distributor.

 

[lacy_amy]

I'll agree Combined wasn't the best career move. I had an *** for a TM and the list goes on and on. Although I did get an opportunity to go work with an agent that is selling some major premium and is grossing over $3000 a week every week. Either way I really think I would like to maybe look at the P&C route. I have an interview with Country Financial and I have applied with American Family and State Farm as well. Working in an office as a CSR isn't a bad idea either. I guess I learned to be a lot smarter and more choosy about a job now. If I could find a salary plus commission job I would be in heaven!

 

[WinoBlues]

Good advice. That is how I started. I was lucky enough to have a mentor. Of course I had to do everything including drive to the appointment. All I had to do was keep my mouth shut during the meeting. That became the hardest part.

I hear that the captive companies are pretty flooded with applicants. According to a New York Life guy I know, that is. Fresh new college grads.
But you are correct. If she could get in with a training stipend, that could do it.

I need to save this post so I can use it over and over, because this issue seems to come up almost daily. If you are considering financial services as a career, talk to the captive companies in your area such as MetLife. They aren't so hyper-pro elite that you have to be polished / squeaky clean to be considered. They will have you do an "aptitude" questionnaire to determine if the financial industry is a good fit for you. Bad credit can be explained, but a bankruptcy would be a tough sale. There are other companies as well, but the number of companies that can do a credible job of bringing in a brand new person to the industry are dwindling.

If you're going to make a career with Combined or AFLAC, you might as well just become an Amway distributor.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What State are you in. You never know, your new boss maybe on these boards. I hate the word boss.

I'll agree Combined wasn't the best career move. I had an *** for a TM and the list goes on and on. Although I did get an opportunity to go work with an agent that is selling some major premium and is grossing over $3000 a week every week. Either way I really think I would like to maybe look at the P&C route. I have an interview with Country Financial and I have applied with American Family and State Farm as well. Working in an office as a CSR isn't a bad idea either. I guess I learned to be a lot smarter and more choosy about a job now. If I could find a salary plus commission job I would be in heaven!

 

[lacy_amy]

I currently live in WI but am hoping to relocate to NC/SC.

 

[xrac]

I recently started with Combined Insurance and need some advice. I previously worked as an Accountant and decided to switch careers to Insurance because I liked the idea of the flexible hours and unlimited income potential. My experience with Combined has not been good because I did not have a good Territory Manager. So training is not great and there is only 2 weeks of salary and then you are one your own with 100% commission. I think that in order to make that work you need to have a substantial savings or a partner at home with a good job to help ride out the storm until you build a good book of business. I have applied with State Farm, Rural Mutual and Country Financial in hopes that I can find a better opportunity. My only worry is that I recently went through a divorce and didn't work for 15 months until I started with Combined and my credit is shot. What I'm looking for is a company that offers good training and invests in their agents. In that they offer some sort of salary until things get up and running and you can build your book of business. In the meantime I have started to look for a job and plan on doing combined when I can. Any advice is appreciated.

This is a tough situation. I am trying to advise a family member in a similar situation. I am trying to help them explore options. Anybody else have any further ideas?

 

[ChristianFSFP]

If you're planning to go to NC/SC, GA is right around the corner from SC, and the economy in Georgia is not as bad as elsewhere. I have a couple of friends getting into life/annuities with a local office/mentor and are very happy and making money. Just some food for thought.

 

[DHK]

Metlife offers a 19-week salary... but you have to qualify for it by SUBMITTING enough business. It doesn't have to be PLACED (although it would be dumb to submit business that you have no intention of having it placed with a buyer).

Your credit may be a bigger deal-breaker. Especially if you plan to start with a firm that also has a broker/dealer (securities). Metlife, NYL, Mass, Guardian, Northwestern Mutual may all have issues contracting you because of your credit.

You'll need a SOLID game plan on how you plan to get business. No game plan = no career. Unless you work at a bank.

 

[HomeService]

I currently live in WI but am hoping to relocate to NC/SC.

You did not learn how the other agent is making huge bucks? You don't want to try and stick it out and see if you can do it too? Just curious. But when you go to another company, they are going to ask why you are leaving. If you tell them you stunk at it or hated it or hated your management, they are going to wonder why you did stink at it- and if you will stink there. If you tell them you make $3K a week like that other agent, they will wonder why you would give that up. Of course, they will take into account it is or was Combined we are speaking of... I understand that. I do think you can do better than Combined, BTW. I you should-get your story straight and be positive as heck, Go for it.