Western Insurance Agents Ass. vs. Superior Access

[cmsplert]

New to the P and C world and have talked to NIA, SIAA, SAIS and just a few days ago WIAA. I like SIAA's approach however it seems costly and not sure I can compete in Southern California with only Travelers and not Mercury. Mercury seems to be $5 -10 a month less expensive than Travelers but both are $50 - 70 a month less expensive than St. Farm.

Times are tough and people are being smarter with each dollar.

Anywho, I'm a little nervous about SAIS for a number of reasons mostly that the story keeps changing and I have NOT received a contract because they say it's month to month. I'm sure that is true but how do I exit and what do I take with me is what I'm interested in. I read on this BBS that it appears that with SAIS I exit with 50% of my renewal commission (they never mention that) and I will pay $20 for an administrative fee per policy on renewals (never mentioned that either). That about wipes out the renewal commission, right? Is the admin fee per year per policy instead of each premium payment by my client?

What I'm trying to get at is WIAA a better fit? They don't have the markets as SAIS and SAIS rater (SP) is cumbersome and does not produce quotes with multi-policy discounts, etc.

I'm looking at quomation instead of FSC.

I have been in the airline business for a decade (Pilot JetBlue) and I'm backing out. My family has a nice L and H business (for now???) and I want to re-enter with P and C.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[williamsassoins]

I've been thinking of going with WIAA. The ones I really narrowed it down to was them and PIIB. I heard WIAA just got going with Silver Plume for it's rater as another option than FSC which is a huge plus, as that's what we just went with.

JetBlue huh? I have a family member who works for them, not sure what she does exactly though.

I would stay away from St. Farm, it's much better to be competitive in the market than to stay captive with just one.

 

[cmsplert]

I liked SilverPlume however they will not produce a Quote for Travelers unless you have credentials which I don't believe WIAA will provide.

I'll call Jeff at SilverPlume and see if anything has changed.

BTW, what is PIIB.

Thanks
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PIIB...

Found them.

Next time I will look before asking.

Boy are they pricey. $5,000 then $850/mth. Lots of markets but no access to Allied or Travelers?

Isn't WIAA $50/mth?

 

[Quote]

Does WIAA give you binding authority?

 

[johncm]

In general, most GA's will not give you binding authority.

I just met with the staff of WIAA. I must say, great bunch of people and UW's that know their markets. Oh yea, they answer the phone.

SAIS is fine, but the phone tree is no fun. In my opinion, they are not up to speed on commecial, unless it is really a BOP. Seem to have limited access to markets even with carriers that will do theat market. Don't ask, I know that ACE does a certain market that I needed and they could not help me. Placed it with another GA.