Touchy Subjects: Race and Gender when Selling Insurance

[agentahna]

Okay, so I work for a bunch of very successful men and i've always been told that women, for some reason, don't do as well in our field. Does anyone know any successful women? What are the advantages and disadvantages of gender when selling insurance? I feel like being a woman has actually been an advantage for me, but i'm curious as to what you guys think?
Here's a touchy one: What about race?
Before I started doing this for a living I worked at a restaurant with lots of regular customers over 50. There used to be an old African American man named Mr. Clark who would come in and eat the same thing day after day. I used to give him a little extra attention, took some time to talk to him every day and after a while, he just adored me. When I found out I was leaving, I told him I wouldn't be seeing him because i'd be selling insurance. He was ecstatic.
He told me to come talk to him, and he'd give me my FIRST piece of advice about insurance. Well, when he was done eating, I went over to say a proper goodbye and this little man gave me a hug and grabbed my hand and said "Ahna, the most important thing you need to know about insurance is that black people love insurance. They'll be your best customers."
Mr. Clark wasn't lying, either.

That's just my opinion from my own experiences, but what do you guys think?

 

[Norwayguy]

Some people will not buy from you because you are a woman, some will...Since you can't magically turn into a man I wouldn't worry about it and just prospect more. In regards to race you will run into the same thing some people believe in insurance and some people believe insurance companies are the devil...Personally I believe in insurance and believe insurance companies are the devil

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

When I was seeing folks in person (80s and 90s), very few times did race or sex enter the mix. Creed sometimes did.

 

[agentahna]

When I was seeing folks in person (80s and 90s), very few times did race or sex enter the mix. Creed sometimes did.

Well, i'm a proud Christian and i've never talked to a 99 year old atheist. So working with seniors in Southern states means evvvveryone loves Jesus.
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Some people will not buy from you because you are a woman, some will...Since you can't magically turn into a man I wouldn't worry about it and just prospect more. In regards to race you will run into the same thing some people believe in insurance and some people believe insurance companies are the devil...Personally I believe in insurance and believe insurance companies are the devil

Good point, i'm just curious since I don't really know any women in this industry or had a chance to see any wildly successful women agents.
Hah, insurance companies are the devil. I believe in insurance for certain people, not everyone

 

[TDFnCali]

Okay, so I work for a bunch of very successful men and i've always been told that women, for some reason, don't do as well in our field. Does anyone know any successful women? What are the advantages and disadvantages of gender when selling insurance? I feel like being a woman has actually been an advantage for me, but i'm curious as to what you guys think?
Here's a touchy one: What about race?
Before I started doing this for a living I worked at a restaurant with lots of regular customers over 50. There used to be an old African American man named Mr. Clark who would come in and eat the same thing day after day. I used to give him a little extra attention, took some time to talk to him every day and after a while, he just adored me. When I found out I was leaving, I told him I wouldn't be seeing him because i'd be selling insurance. He was ecstatic.
He told me to come talk to him, and he'd give me my FIRST piece of advice about insurance. Well, when he was done eating, I went over to say a proper goodbye and this little man gave me a hug and grabbed my hand and said "Ahna, the most important thing you need to know about insurance is that black people love insurance. They'll be your best customers."
Mr. Clark wasn't lying, either.

That's just my opinion from my own experiences, but what do you guys think?

As a black insurance agent, I'm reporting your post as racist! Joking..... I haven't noticed a diff in my white, hispanic (as long as they speak English) or black customers. But I have noticed I VERY VERY rarely sell to Asians or Middle Easterners.. I don't even try much anymore.

I would think a women would be a huge advantage or the phone & especially door knocking... But I have no proof of that!

TDF
Sent via my Sprint Phone using Insurance Forums App

 

[Stephen]

I agree with Mr. Clark, I have always gotten a better lead response in African American areas, set a higher % of appointments with leads that were African Americans, as well as having a higher closing ratio on those appointments. Maybe my personality is just more appealing to black people, I don't know.

I would consider being a woman a huge advantage on the phone. Women tend to be more receptive on the phone, but almost half of the world's population are men, and we would rather talk with a woman. If a man calls me it is probably to sell me something, if a woman calls me she might just be bored or something.

 

[inreverse]

JD can tell you about a wildly successful female agent in the Chicago area. Maybe he will chime in.

 

[STIBROKER]

But I have noticed I VERY VERY rarely sell to Asians or middle Eastern east.. I don't even try much anymore.

Had a female Asian agent at Metlife.....she killed it....all her clients were Asian and all paid annually in cash......

 

[jdeasy]

JD can tell you about a wildly successful female agent in the Chicago area. Maybe he will chime in.

I think most women will not do what we do as FE agents in the field. I know my wife would not do my job and she will tell you that herself.

But, by experience I have seen that the ones that will do it are quite successful.

Selling by phone I couldn't see that it would make any difference what sex or race or nationality the person is as long as they can communicate with the person on the other end of the line.

 

[TDFnCali]

Had a female Asian agent at Metlife.....she killed it....all her clients were Asian and all paid annually in cash......

Oh they will buy from 1 of their own, no problem!