Suggestions on Company to Start with

[mjhoffert]

Well I have been looking into insurance as a career for some time now and since my current career is faltering due to the economy I don't see a better time than now.

I have read a lot about insurance and for the most part if you have no experience (like me) it is best to try to get into a company that is willing to train you like a Allstate, Farmers, or State Farm.

I have had a meeting with a Farmers DM and can have the position if I want it but it seems that every thing I read about all of these companies is RUN!!! and run fast. Especially Farmers, and Allstate.

So does any one have any thing good to say about a certain company, how would you suggest that I start? Independent, I know nothing about insurance, and I figured starting out with one of these companies would be the best way to learn.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions or advice you may have.

 

[TNAgent]

anyone gonna chime in?

I too am curious. I was contacted by Liberty National and went to their presentation, also Bankers. I am looking at Federated, combined, US health, Sterling life, United American, Health Markets, NIA, Mutual of Omaha, AFLAC, Physicians Mutual, American Republic, and a few others. ALL have ads in the paper looking for sales people. I am taking the online class to get my Health & life Insurance licenses and plan on taking the test next week. I want to start off right, I do not want to be with the "wrong" company. I am green, and need to get up and going fast. I have owned my own business for 7 years and the economy is hurting it, not killing it, so I have SOME income to work with. but i need to get up to $2k a month real quick. of course i want 10k but i am realistic...lol or maybe i am not.

Please help!!! : (

 

[jpadro]

I am currently contracted with HBW and they are great, if you want to personally sell or built an agency in different states Nationwide. I was involved with Primerica but they are a captive company with many negatives. If anyone is interested in joining a company to start with without quotas and build a your own business at your own pace. send me your contact info. for further info.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Well...I will say this. Until we know what's up with health care, you may want to concentrate on something other than health insurance.

 

[TNAgent]

jpadro - what is HBW?

 

[xrac]

anyone gonna chime in?

I too am curious. I was contacted by Liberty National and went to their presentation, also Bankers. I am looking at Federated, combined, US health, Sterling life, United American, Health Markets, NIA, Mutual of Omaha, AFLAC, Physicians Mutual, American Republic, and a few others. ALL have ads in the paper looking for sales people. I am taking the online class to get my Health & life Insurance licenses and plan on taking the test next week. I want to start off right, I do not want to be with the "wrong" company. I am green, and need to get up and going fast. I have owned my own business for 7 years and the economy is hurting it, not killing it, so I have SOME income to work with. but i need to get up to $2k a month real quick. of course i want 10k but i am realistic...lol or maybe i am not.

Please help!!! : (

Federated, Combined and MOO are good companies in different markets. Aflac and Sterling I would avoid. Because of your circumstances you may want to consider Metlife because they pay a training salary for 19 weeks. Starting salary for your first 19 weeks is based off your previous 2-4 year earnings at your previous job. American General and Western Souther also pay training salaries.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

jpadro - what is HBW?

HBW Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. ?????????????? This looks like and MLM. Jpadro will probably want to recruit you for his down line.

 

[htw1964]

I am starting with American General. They pay a base salary during training. From other agents, local and non local, I have talked with, it is a good company. I know much of that depends on each local manager. Mine has been with American General 22 years, plus is second generation.

One piece of advice I will give is this. When you walk in to interview, YOU need to interview the manager as well. YOU need to be comfortable in the setting. This is about you developing a business, not just working 9-5 for a manager that micro-manages every move you make.

I have interviewed with NYL, Farmer's, Liberty National, Primerica, and American General Life and Accident. I was going to go with Farmers until I did some research. I decided on American General because I was comfortable with their professionalism as an office and the other agents. NYL was very exclusive, had a beautiful office, but wanted me to market to folks outside my realm of prospects. Liberty National and Primerica were not professional enough.

Do your research on each company. Figure out which company provides the product you would want to buy yourself and provide your future clientele. Many companies have good products, but you have to believe in the product in order to convince customers it is right for them.

All of the sales managers are going to blow smoke up your behind and tell you how great it is. It is up to you to sift through the BS and find your comfort. Like I said, research the companies. Use the search option to look through other threads in this forum.

I am new at insurance sales myself and I am still in process of getting my license. It took a while for me to settle with a company because I beleived what the managers had to say, until I realized it was not about them, it was about where I want to work.

I hope this helped. Good luck!

HTW

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Until we know what's up with health care, you may want to concentrate on something other than health insurance.

Excellent advice Chump (as Mark would say). Too many wildcards right now...

 

[jpFinance20]

I agree with xrac on this one; based on your circumstances of needing that immediate income, go with a company that provides paid training so you can get a feel for the industry. My best recommendations would be MetLife and Mutual of Omaha from my personal experience.

 

[jody108]

i wouldn't go captive ... contact me if you want some advice. Captive doesn't teach you anything more than being independent. You make more, have more options for your customers ... etc.