It is cyclical which is exactly why having an independent agency is an advantage over the captive's. I can shop them with other companies within my own agency rather than risk losing the business all together.
As for the state to state business, more people are moving out of New York than they are into it.
I'm not here to argue which is better, captive or independent because I already know what's best for me, I was just looking for some information regarding individual carriers in New York. I've worked as a captive agent for Allstate and now in management so I know how the business works on both ends... in the agency and by the paper-pushers in management who don't have a clue on what it takes to run a successful agency.
I also don't know how you can back up the captive market when I've read in your other posts that you're $160,000 in debt from running your State Farm agency in only 3 years.
Couldnt agree with you more. I use to be an EFS with Allstate, and was offered to open up my own Allstate. I decided not to do it because I was watching my fellow agents suffer in this economy. I am opening an indy office with many carriers. I feel that I am selling myself and the best price, not the carriers commercials. Most of the Allstate agents I know cant keep the business on the books in this environment.
