Beth Thornton
New Member
I was wondering how a non-compete holds up in situations similar to the following and first I have to give everyone an idea of how I've always handled my clients. I am a fairly new agent and write about 80% commercial. I target high premium accounts. And, believe it or not, I am pretty close almost to the point of being "friends" with nearly all my clients. They all have my cell phone number and know they can call me anytime they like. As a matter-of-fact, it got to the point that none of them ever call the office I worked out of. - this was not my intent, it just worked out that way.
I have now let the captive agency I was with to go independent. I have a strict non-compete/non-solicit agreement which I have signed with a captive that you don't want to fool around with.
Here is my dilemma; Many of my clients are beginning to call my cell phone. Some of them with questions about their renewals and their premiums going up etc. I have told them to contact the agency and none of them are happy about this because they are used to dealing with me alone, any time they wish for whatever. Just last week one of my clients asked me to go to check out a house they were looking at buying before they made a final decision - these are the types of relationships I build with clients. When telling them they need to call the other agent at my former agency, they are not wanting to do so.
I even have one client that speaks Spanish and got them because I was the only agent in the office that speaks conversational Spanish. She is all upset and wants to follow me where I'm at now. Two of my other clients told me that they'd just as soon go somewhere else and this is why. I had a gift for NOT selling on price. So although our rates were high, they chose to do business with us because of me. I am not trying to brag, I just abhor selling on price. Everyone else in my agency sells on price and our prices are high. The few that have called me so far are going to shop elsewhere. At least that's what they told me and I know a couple of them definitely will.
I feel like I'm abandoning them. However, I do not wish to deal with a lawsuit or any of the repercussions of breaking or attempting to break a strict non-compete.
Long story short (which has already been too long - lol) Does anyone know if there is anything, laws, etc., that allow you to keep a client that insists on staying with or that is going to take their business elsewhere anyway. Or are we all just going to lose these clients on both ends?? Also, the non-compete states that the agency itself does not need to pursue me, the "big ole" captive "captivator" may purse me for breaking the agreement on their own.
Any input into this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I have now let the captive agency I was with to go independent. I have a strict non-compete/non-solicit agreement which I have signed with a captive that you don't want to fool around with.
Here is my dilemma; Many of my clients are beginning to call my cell phone. Some of them with questions about their renewals and their premiums going up etc. I have told them to contact the agency and none of them are happy about this because they are used to dealing with me alone, any time they wish for whatever. Just last week one of my clients asked me to go to check out a house they were looking at buying before they made a final decision - these are the types of relationships I build with clients. When telling them they need to call the other agent at my former agency, they are not wanting to do so.
I even have one client that speaks Spanish and got them because I was the only agent in the office that speaks conversational Spanish. She is all upset and wants to follow me where I'm at now. Two of my other clients told me that they'd just as soon go somewhere else and this is why. I had a gift for NOT selling on price. So although our rates were high, they chose to do business with us because of me. I am not trying to brag, I just abhor selling on price. Everyone else in my agency sells on price and our prices are high. The few that have called me so far are going to shop elsewhere. At least that's what they told me and I know a couple of them definitely will.
I feel like I'm abandoning them. However, I do not wish to deal with a lawsuit or any of the repercussions of breaking or attempting to break a strict non-compete.
Long story short (which has already been too long - lol) Does anyone know if there is anything, laws, etc., that allow you to keep a client that insists on staying with or that is going to take their business elsewhere anyway. Or are we all just going to lose these clients on both ends?? Also, the non-compete states that the agency itself does not need to pursue me, the "big ole" captive "captivator" may purse me for breaking the agreement on their own.
Any input into this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks