by SBS2001 » Mon Feb 16, 2009 09:55 pm
I currently work for a Captive Agent as a Sales Assistant. I was pondering becoming a Sales Agent myself.
The reasons I would like to become an Agent:
I would not have to sit in the office all day.
I would still get bonus pay or at least some commission regardless of whether or not my team has reached their sales goals (currently if the whole team does not make their sales goals and my individual goals are met, I will not get a bonus).
My bonus structure is my main concern. Although I do have minimal base pay, I feel that I carry most (if not all) of the load when dealing with the customers. Of course I feel that I deserve more compensation, but the agent constantly tells me that before I can get more I have to sell more. One month we sold over $10,000 in auto and the agent did not sell anything.
My main concern is my financial stability. The agent I work for says after 5 years she'll give me renewals so I can count on that but we must build the book of business. I think I can control my own destiny if I am an Agent. Am I in a dreamland or what?
The reasons I would like to become an Agent:
I would not have to sit in the office all day.
I would still get bonus pay or at least some commission regardless of whether or not my team has reached their sales goals (currently if the whole team does not make their sales goals and my individual goals are met, I will not get a bonus).
My bonus structure is my main concern. Although I do have minimal base pay, I feel that I carry most (if not all) of the load when dealing with the customers. Of course I feel that I deserve more compensation, but the agent constantly tells me that before I can get more I have to sell more. One month we sold over $10,000 in auto and the agent did not sell anything.
My main concern is my financial stability. The agent I work for says after 5 years she'll give me renewals so I can count on that but we must build the book of business. I think I can control my own destiny if I am an Agent. Am I in a dreamland or what?
Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:29 am Post Subject:
It is important to have dreams when joining insurance business because your dreams could be one single factor that make you stay and persevere when you face challenges.
What matters most is your determination and your willingness to pay for the price of success. There is no short cut but one has to work really hard to get what one wants in life.
Are you a people person, energetic, mobile, money motivated etc? Identify the qualities you have that make you a productive insurance agent. Put them into use and you will soon see the results you expect.
Many people share your concern over financial stability. Some commit themselves to save an amount equivalent to up to 6 months of the salary before turning to insurance as full time agents.
Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 07:07 am Post Subject:
Hi there..
currently if the whole team does not make their sales goals and my individual goals are met, I will not get a bonus
I'm sure that the independent goals that you're talking about are actually judged upon tougher parameters than you've come across. Most of the targets (apart from those that are related to the team) that your superiors may have achieved are associated with data-maintenance or process-innovation.
Believe me or not..these are certainly judged upon different scales..and you'd only handle such targets efficiently once you learn to tackle your sales targets through the test of time. Remember- the grass is always greener on the other side!
ArindamSenIndies
Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:12 pm Post Subject:
Am I in a dreamland or what?
Certainly not, you'd definitely be in better control of your finance once become an agent, but for that you're required to obtain the license to operate as an agent. Check out with the licensing provisions with the DOI.
Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 03:51 pm Post Subject:
I am currently licensed in Property & Casualty and Life and Health. My goal for now would be to become a Captive agent, before I went independent.
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 08:54 am Post Subject:
I can see that you are weighing several factors before making a move. You are asking the right questions and I can see that you have drilled it down to risk vs reward in your consideration.
As long as you have thought it out and have a plan in place for getting sales once you become an agent, I would say go for it! You are already doing the job, you might as well get paid to dollar to do it as an agent.
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