by Guest » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:16 pm
Hi I am new to the Ins. business and will be working independent. I am wondering if i can get some help / feedback from the many experienced agents here regarding using a GA vs direct appointments.
I am considering going through a GA, working from my home, that offers training and support. They seem straight forward and helpful.Only downside from what I can gather, is I would be giving up a % of commissions vs direct to carriers. Mostly on renewal side. I understand they aren't in business for free and should make money too, however, I want to justify accepting a lower commission for training/support/ access I can't obtain on my own.
So my questions are as follows:
In CA what if any difficulty might I have in getting appointed directly with any of the carriers:
Aetna
Blue Cross/Anthem
Blue Shield
Kaiser
Pacific Care
Assurant.
Any others I am missing?
2) Will the carriers typically be willing to assist me with questions I have? Do they assign an Account Executive to assist or is someone else available for help? Are they going to be upset to work with someone green or will they typically be patient and helpful?
3) Seems like some/most of the carriers provide a lot of info and training themselves. Shouldn't that be enough to get me going? and therefor minimize the need for the GA's Training/support
4) If I do go with a GA initially and than later try to go direct with a carrier. Will this have any adverse affect on me?
A) with any of the carriers?
B) to be able to go direct?
C)on the commission levels?
Note: Not captive with GA will immediately release me from contract if/when desired.
5) Lastly any opinions/experiences with going direct vs. through a GA? What are the negatives and positives of each?
Any and all advise welcomed.
Thanks.
Agent- California
I am considering going through a GA, working from my home, that offers training and support. They seem straight forward and helpful.Only downside from what I can gather, is I would be giving up a % of commissions vs direct to carriers. Mostly on renewal side. I understand they aren't in business for free and should make money too, however, I want to justify accepting a lower commission for training/support/ access I can't obtain on my own.
So my questions are as follows:
In CA what if any difficulty might I have in getting appointed directly with any of the carriers:
Aetna
Blue Cross/Anthem
Blue Shield
Kaiser
Pacific Care
Assurant.
Any others I am missing?
2) Will the carriers typically be willing to assist me with questions I have? Do they assign an Account Executive to assist or is someone else available for help? Are they going to be upset to work with someone green or will they typically be patient and helpful?
3) Seems like some/most of the carriers provide a lot of info and training themselves. Shouldn't that be enough to get me going? and therefor minimize the need for the GA's Training/support
4) If I do go with a GA initially and than later try to go direct with a carrier. Will this have any adverse affect on me?
A) with any of the carriers?
B) to be able to go direct?
C)on the commission levels?
Note: Not captive with GA will immediately release me from contract if/when desired.
5) Lastly any opinions/experiences with going direct vs. through a GA? What are the negatives and positives of each?
Any and all advise welcomed.
Thanks.
Agent- California
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 07:03 am Post Subject:
If I do go with a GA initially and than later try to go direct with a carrier. Will this have any adverse affect on me?
I don't think so. If you'd get trained under a carrier initially, they'd not only train you to sell a product, but would also show you through some detailed marketing concepts while promoting their brand name. You'd actually come to know how the carrier works.
If you'd choose to go the other way round, the GA might stress a bit upon your sales targets. But then again, this knowledge would come in handy whenever you join a carrier in the future.
Knowledge should have a positive impact on your growth, but I don't see any reason why it should have any adverse effect if you'd choose to work independently or being captive. Roddick
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 03:27 am Post Subject:
Wait I think we are confusing words here. If a company is a true General Agency company you can't get access to the products of the insurance company without going through a GA, that's the insurance companies' distribution mechanism. If you are lumping the term GA with the idea of working for a specific company but not being a capitive agent for a company, and your decision is between being a career agent at one company or going it completeltly alone that would make more sense.
Compensation paid to brokers can start off less than that of a career agent, and ERA can be paid to career agents as well as brokers.
Management style companies can contract brokers--most don't and as a result they go directly to the company.
Add your comment