by TLE » Tue Jan 20, 2009 04:48 am
I was wondering if all these company's I see on TV that sell insurance on the internet and do not use an agent and they give a discount if you buy on line,does this hurt sales for some agents, and is it possible this could eliminate the agents job.
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 07:55 am Post Subject:
I'd say that both will co-exist, the agents as well as online purchase & it'd be upon the buyer to choose one over the other. Someone like me, who's not so computer friendly, would still reply upon the agent's babbling about the policy benefits, may be a smart guy would choose the machine over the man.
However, TLE, as Maze has said don't let the sites stop you from becoming what you want.
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 05:53 pm Post Subject:
I won't but just want to make sure I can make a living at it or years down the road you get pushed out.
Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 06:14 pm Post Subject:
I think online sales will increase somewhat but people will still want to have a live person to talk to. My approach is to have an online presence where people can visit my site and apply online if they wish but still have a LOCAL agent to call on when needed. Strong customer service will beat a website anytime.
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 02:37 am Post Subject:
I can tell you from personal experience that as an agent I am finding that I am competing against the internet and call centers from within my own company. This is very frustrating at times. On a weekly basis I am finding my $$$ being stolen from accounts I start, and that I have to fill out forms etc to get the commissions back. Ridiculous. Sometimes I wonder if I should just go out on my own......cheers!
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:45 am Post Subject:
yesterday one of my client called me and told me that some MLM companies have come in to the insurance, they are also selling the insurance.He was asking me ' is it OK to purchase policy from them as it also gives chance to earn extra money.?'
I clearly told me it is OK to earn money but will you give service to those people who have purchased the policy in your group.?
Flatly he was not having any answer as in most of the cases people either do not have knowledge of the different procedures, different pro's and co's of one policy over other.So it becomes just a connection between shop owner and customer.
Certainly insurance is not that cheap so that people will buy anything, they need quality and only qualified professionals can only deliver that. :wink:
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 02:00 am Post Subject: Online sales
The airlines, cruise lines and vacation vendors , have done this to travel agents. I know I was a travel agent, they started sending offers to clients that I booked with them in the past, to book direct with them for a discount. Anything to cut out the commissions.
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 04:53 am Post Subject:
Its all about adapting to change. I have been working to rapidly expand my online presence and there are still many ways to circumvent the big companies both online and offline.
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 08:25 am Post Subject:
Hi Gary,
ONLY a licensed insurance agent can sell insurance.
That's quite understandable..
Does that also apply to car insurance. when companies like progressive sells without an agent and they sell direct.
This one clearly suggests that TLE believes insurance could be sold directly without any agent coming in between. In other words, I guess he's trying to point to the idea where an applicant personally communicates with the carrier and applies for his chosen policy.
Would you like to throw some light into this?
Roddick
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 11:49 am Post Subject:
roddick wrote:
This one clearly suggests that TLE believes insurance could be sold directly without any agent coming in between. In other words, I guess he's trying to point to the idea where an applicant personally communicates with the carrier and applies for his chosen policy.
Would you like to throw some light into this?
Yes, I would.
But first let me go get another 2 cents...I'll be right back with the FACTS.
:arrow: What's copy and pasted below is MY understanding of P & C forms of insurance as it relates to who sells what to who. I can't even spell Properly and Casually so I have to rely on what's written in Florida Law, to wit: :P 8)
626.7315 Prohibition against the unlicensed transaction of general lines insurance.
Click linky above and read OR read quote below from same said linky.
626.7315 Prohibition against the unlicensed transaction of general lines insurance.--With respect to any line of authority as defined in s. 626.015(5), no individual shall, unless licensed as a general lines agent:
(1) Solicit insurance or procure applications therefor;
(2) In this state, receive or issue a receipt for any money on account of or for any insurer, or receive or issue a receipt for money from other persons to be transmitted to any insurer for a policy, contract, or certificate of insurance or any renewal thereof, even though the policy, certificate, or contract is not signed by him or her as agent or representative of the insurer, except as provided in s. 626.0428(1);
(3) Directly or indirectly represent himself or herself to be an agent of any insurer or as an agent, to collect or forward any insurance premium, or to solicit, negotiate, effect, procure, receive, deliver, or forward, directly or indirectly, any insurance contract or renewal thereof or any endorsement relating to an insurance contract, or attempt to effect the same, of property or insurable business activities or interests, located in this state;
(4) In this state, engage or hold himself or herself out as engaging in the business of analyzing or abstracting insurance policies or of counseling or advising or giving opinions, other than as a licensed attorney at law, relative to insurance or insurance contracts, for fee, commission, or other compensation, other than as a salaried bona fide full-time employee so counseling and advising his or her employer relative to the insurance interests of the employer and of the subsidiaries or business affiliates of the employer;
(5) In any way, directly or indirectly, make or cause to be made, or attempt to make or cause to be made, any contract of insurance for or on account of any insurer;
(6) Solicit, negotiate, or in any way, directly or indirectly, effect insurance contracts, if a member of a partnership or association, or a stockholder, officer, or agent of a corporation which holds an agency appointment from any insurer; or
(7) Receive or transmit applications for suretyship, or receive for delivery bonds founded on applications forwarded from this state, or otherwise procure suretyship to be effected by a surety insurer upon the bonds of persons in this state or upon bonds given to persons in this state.
History.--s. 22, ch. 2002-206; s. 955, ch. 2003-261; s. 42, ch. 2003-267; s. 35, ch. 2003-281; s. 109, ch. 2004-5.
:wink:
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 05:03 am Post Subject:
(7) Receive or transmit applications for suretyship, or receive for delivery bonds founded on applications forwarded from this state, or otherwise procure suretyship to be effected by a surety insurer upon the bonds of persons in this state or upon bonds given to persons in this state.
Hey, can you please explain it in brief?
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