Yet Another Newb

[csstanley1973]

Hello everyone,

Found this site yesterday and spent around 5 hours last night and this morning reading through here.

I got into insurance last year when a friend was telling me about an online company in Wilmington, NC hiring CSR's. Instead of being an "agent-in-training" I decided I'd go ahead and get my Personal Lines license.

Key to it was I had to relocate from Greensboro to Wilmington to take the job. Long story short, I couldn't make the move. Now I have a P & C license and no job.

I had talked with AFLAC and took the Accident and Health and passed it. I had some reservations when talking with the recruiter but thought, I want to learn the industry and make a career of it so why not. From what I've read on here, they may not be the way I need to go.

Whats happened now is funds are getting low and I haven't worked in 3 weeks.

Not giving a sad story, just stating the facts here. I've thrown resumes every where and, to be quite honest, I'm getting nervous.

I'd like to find a "mentor" that would take me under their wing. I'm a quick learner. Not that it may be a big thing to some of you, I passed the Personal Lines and the Accident and Health on the first try. Just means I know what I need to learn to get what I want I guess. LOL!!!

Any ideas or suggestions on who to talk to in the Greensboro, NC area? Don't necessarily have the capital to go independent but really want to learn all I can about the business.

Just like that fair maiden waiting on her prince charming. I know I would make someone a great agent one day!!!!

Thanks in advance.

Chris

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Welcome. It will be tough for you but good luck. Maybe you should find something with a guaranteed income until you learn the ropes.

 

[csstanley1973]

Considering the economy here in North Carolina, a "guaranteed income" isn't so guaranteed anymore.

And I know the comment was without knowing more of my personal background, so no sarcasm meant by that.

If I knew of a guaranteed income other than the back breaking construction I had been doing, and could make a career of it, trust me, I would have already done it.

Seems like the insurance industry is like a male trying to get a paralegal job. You gotta know somebody.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Perhaps a "captive" company will consider you. Somewhat guaranteed income with training.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

It's easier to become independent with life and health products than with P&C - also (IHMO) easier to cold call for those products.

Getting off the ground as a noob is not "hard" per se, but will require a ton of dedication on your part.

First thing - commit yourself to getting off the ground. The next thing you need to do is choose a line and focus:

1) Senior - med supps or possibly FE
2) Individual health
3) Life insurance (term or perm - not annuities...yet)

Once you've chosen a line, dive in and study. Where? Hook up with a reputable FMO that provides training. You'll also get some great recommendations from people on this forum once you choose a particular line.

Next, get used to the fact that you're gonna be cold calling. You'll either be telemarketing or going business to business. If that's not your cup of tea, or deep down inside you know yourself well enough that you're not going to cold call a few hours a day, it's time to look for another line of work.

You're not even appointed yet which means start planning financially that you won't receive a check for at least the next 6 weeks.

But again, once you choose a line you'll receive a lot more detailed help from this forum.

 

[csstanley1973]

I hope.

I've sent my resume to Met, Allstate, State Farm, Nationwide, and a couple more that I can't remember right off hand.

I guess you could call it a trot-line. Maybe something will stick.

I do have a small job coming up next week, enough to pay the bills by the way. But I really want to make a career out of this. Something clicked in my mind when I started studying for the exams.

I really think I'll like the insurance business. I can't be in a hurry to make a bunch of money. That'll come, I'm sure.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It's easier to become independent with life and health products than with P&C - also (IHMO) easier to cold call for those products.

Getting off the ground as a noob is not "hard" per se, but will require a ton of dedication on your part.

First thing - commit yourself to getting off the ground. The next thing you need to do is choose a line and focus:

1) Senior - med supps or possibly FE
2) Individual health
3) Life insurance (term or perm - not annuities...yet)

Once you've chosen a line, dive in and study. Where? Hook up with a reputable FMO that provides training. You'll also get some great recommendations from people on this forum once you choose a particular line.

Next, get used to the fact that you're gonna be cold calling. You'll either be telemarketing or going business to business. If that's not your cup of tea, or deep down inside you know yourself well enough that you're not going to cold call a few hours a day, it's time to look for another line of work.

You're not even appointed yet which means start planning financially that you won't receive a check for at least the next 6 weeks.

But again, once you choose a line you'll receive a lot more detailed help from this forum.

I did pass the Accident and Health but I still have to pay the fees for the state to process my license. I've already got my P & C so I thought it would be easier.

Talked to Chuck Wheeler at NC SurePass and he told me the same thing. Life and Health will pay more commissions but P & C is steadier. I did my P & C under Chuck. If any of you know him.

So right now, to get started, I have P & C in hand and can start selling that. The Accident and Health will be another couple of weeks.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Training is the big thing. Talk to experienced agent/brokers, preferably in your area.

You need to focus on now, not later. There may not be a later since 90% don't make it. Check captive companies.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

To expand on Chump's advice, depending on your area just sending out resumes might not cut it. Especially in the short term.

Go out and walk into agencies in your area, present yourself and discuss whether or not they're hiring and what you have to offer.

 

[HomeService]

I am licensed in both P&C and L&H, and I think, my own opinion, you should concentrate on L&H first, just my opinion. It's much easier. Go with some big captive like Mutual of Omaha or AGLA or something, maybe NYL. Get them to train you. Maybe Monumental or Western Southern. { I dunno if Monumental is in your state as a captive, I don't think we have them here in my state}

At any rate, you won't have to go nuts on resumes with these guys, they are actively recruiting. They train you, show you the ropes. Then, if you are still interested in the insurance biz, after a year or two, then go with P&C, just my opinion. Or, you may wish to stay with L&H forever.

The other option is to get a captive P&C to train you. Did you see the threads on AAA and Liberty Mutual? Or Met P&C maybe. Something like that. That's another option. There's even folks on here who say Allstate hires newbys and trains them. Depending upon the agency. Third option is to get with a local indy agency and get them to train you as a CSR or producer.

 

[mmaedelins]

To expand on Chump's advice, depending on your area just sending out resumes might not cut it. Especially in the short term.

Go out and walk into agencies in your area, present yourself and discuss whether or not they're hiring and what you have to offer.

I agree with Johnny. If you are looking for a mentor to take you under his/her wing, the best thing to do would be to find a local independent agent with his/her own office who is looking to bring a new agent in. If you don't have the means to go door to door with them, open the phone book and start calling agents. My boss gets calls all the time from new agents looking to start. I just got lucky and got my foot in there first.

And, I definitely wouldn't expect to be able to pay the bills for quite awhile, especially if you go independent. This is definitely a business that takes time to build up. Keep in mind, though, if you go captive and get a 'salary', most of the time it's just an advance on your future commission so if you don't make enough and they let you go, they will expect you to pay that back.

Best of luck!