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djs · 07-02-2009, 01:03 PM

Why would an RSM talk about production of another agent?
It would be interesting to know what a 'D' producer is. Perhaps it stands for 'Distinguished' for doing things a bit off the beaten track.

My guess is that no producer that works by himself gets high marks in a carriers eyes. They like big centers that do high volume. They put up with individual agents. They barely tolerate P&C agents who throw a bone their way every once in a while.

A lot of RSM's like the agents, at least the ones that produce on a regular basis. This doesn't mean it carries through to the carriers though.

Dan

Street Savvy · 07-02-2009, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by CHUMPS FROM OXFORD

"No wonder professionals leave as soon as reading this dribble you guys write"

Street...You're throwing spitballs at a battleship. And by the way...the word is "drivel" not dribble.

You dribble a ball. Drivel is to talk idiotically or childishly.

So predictable chumps like I said, thanks for the correction. You do talk idiotically and childishly and you probably dribble and drool all day INSTEAD OF MAKING A PROFESSION! You are making this too easy. Please don't reply, I'm out of here.
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Originally Posted by djs

Why would an RSM talk about production of another agent?
It would be interesting to know what a 'D' producer is. Perhaps it stands for 'Distinguished' for doing things a bit off the beaten track.

My guess is that no producer that works by himself gets high marks in a carriers eyes. They like big centers that do high volume. They put up with individual agents. They barely tolerate P&C agents who throw a bone their way every once in a while.

A lot of RSM's like the agents, at least the ones that produce on a regular basis. This doesn't mean it carries through to the carriers though.

Dan

Dan,

Get to know all your RSM's and seek their experience. Learn how a relationship with them gets you in the back door for UW favors. Been there..........

CHUMPS FROM OXFORD · 07-02-2009, 09:12 PM

"I'm out of here"

Thank you...from all of us.

Street Savvy · 07-02-2009, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dave020

One final note, it should be pointed out that if the production status is based on commission, HIPAA plans pay only a fraction of the commission that underwritten plans pay, with some carriers as low as 10%.

I am not about money, riches or any of that. I work very hard to provide insurance to people other agents and underwriters reject. If I have to do 4-5x the volume (at least) just to be at the same level, that is a choice I have made. It takes a long time and a lot of work to do that, it's a slow build.

Were my earnings adjusted to a calculation correspondent to the commissions on underwritten coverage, I would probably be a C producer.

I am fine with that. I help people and earn a fair living doing it.

I appreciate the support of certain members of the forum. Those who know me can contact me any time. At this time I think it best to leave this thread and move on.

In closing,

-I have never claimed to be rich or wealthy (in monetary terms)
-I have never claimed to be a big producer
-I have no product nor service to sell or charge for and never have had

Hey Dave,

Keep at it, WRITE down your goals what YOU want to do and be careful who associate with. Find a mentor and be blessed.

I'm out of here!

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Originally Posted by CHUMPS FROM OXFORD

"I'm out of here"

Thank you...from all of us.

You guys are too funny

" from all of us"

Thanks for representing the herd.
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Originally Posted by Dave020

I have no idea what that means, however I will find out today. If I assume it means a relation to production, they need to be reminded that HIPAA production is not credited towards any production numbers with either of these carriers and does not show up on any monthy production report. If I do 60 a month and 50 of them are HIPAA, by each carriers standards, I am a 10 a month producer. It's not a fair guage but that is just the way it works.

According to the guideline on this forum, I average 1.64 posts per day. Not much really. 1500 in 2 1/2 years is not much considering others.

Also, who are your RSMs so that I might speak to them directly or have my RSMs speak to them. You can PM their names to me so as not to post on the board and I will follow up and explain to them how overall production does not include my HIPAA production, which accounts for over 90% of my monthly production.
________________________________

Since you can't PM, you can e-mail them to me. My contact information is on my web site.

True math Dave, not too many posts in a day.

somarco · 07-02-2009, 09:59 PM

Apparently "I'm out of here" doesn't meant what it used to.. . .

GreenSky · 07-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Hey Street. I like your style. How about a beer?

Rick

Street Savvy · 07-03-2009, 02:33 AM

Originally Posted by GreenSky

Hey Street. I like your style. How about a beer?

Rick

Hey RSB,

Thanks for the offer, I know who you are and I'll consider it. Sam Adams on tap. SS
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Originally Posted by somarco

Apparently "I'm out of here" doesn't meant what it used to.. . .

I'm addicted like a bad girl friend. C-ya!

djs · 07-03-2009, 02:45 AM

Originally Posted by Street Savvy

Dan,

Get to know all your RSM's and seek their experience. Learn how a relationship with them gets you in the back door for UW favors. Been there..........

I agree.... but they still shouldn't talk about another agents production. Okay, in generalities, not that big a deal, such as 'Oh yeah, Dave does something unique, somewhat smaller niche market, but it works for him', would be acceptable.

Dan

Dave020 · 07-03-2009, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by djs

I agree.... but they still shouldn't talk about another agents production. Okay, in generalities, not that big a deal, such as 'Oh yeah, Dave does something unique, somewhat smaller niche market, but it works for him', would be acceptable.

Dan

I am hesitant to comment on this thread. However, I think some clarification is in order.

I showed this thread to my RSM. He told me there is no such producer status and that he cannot imagine another RSM doing something like that. Either way, it is not really very important.

He is my new RSM (territory change, he's been doing it 10 years) and when we met for coffee a month or so ago and I explained what it is I do, he went from confused to clear to amazed. I feel bad for him as the bulk of my monthly production is nothing he gets paid on. He stated at that time that he knows of no other agent in California who does what I do nor approaches health insurance in the same manner.

Most other agents and most RSMs in CA have no real idea what I do. They look at some numbers and make a judgement based on a false assumption. Most of my production is not reflected anywhere in any status sheet.

As an example, on Dec 30 last year (my last working day) I processed and enrolled 24 HIPAA applications in 8 hours amongst 4 carriers. 3 per hour for 8 straight hours. I was tired. Good way to end the year. Nowhere on any status sheet or production value would any of those appear for credit.

As to mentoring, who exactly would be able to mentor me if the RSMs don't even understand what I do (nor do the carriers themselves)? Quite a few CA agents who produce much more underwritten business send their HIPAA cases to me! They don't even want to mess with them and some of them might be A or B level producers (whatever that might mean).

As for a business plan and goals, I have it and it is very simple. 1000 subscribers on the books then maintenance. I am getting closer to that every day. My target is 1 per day, and I meet that every month (often exceed it).

I work for a fraction of standard commission and make up for it on volume. 5 underwritten applications on Dec 30 would probably have earned me more in commission (and upped my producer "status") than the 24 I did. C'est la vie. I do what I do because no one else really wants to do it. 24 people who were uninsurable on that day got health insurance, that is what matters to me. Not how it shows up on some subjective status sheet.

Sometimes it is amusing. Had case for June 1 enrollment that I got enrolled in under 48 hours for HIPAA. Got a call from a former co-worker of that client in the exact same situation, exact same paperwork and supporting docs. They were hung up in enrollment pending a doc my client did not supply. Mine got approved, the other agent's did not. And on identical docs.

Have a client who was denied HIPAA enrollment because the carrier felt the supporting doc from out of state was "late". Spend an afternoon with my RSM fighting over that one. At one point the admin for a VP at the carrier told the RSM to have the client sue the carrier because they were not going to enroll her. Ended up VP herself had to come in on a Sunday to review the file, and HIPAA coverage was issued Monday morning fully retroactive.

I take great pride in what I do and enjoy working in the GI market. If that makes me less of a producer than the big houses or an agency with staff, so be it.

CHUMPS FROM OXFORD · 07-03-2009, 09:00 AM

I don't know much about the GI market, but what is the % commission? Here in Ohio, the GI (if you want to call it that) pays 0%.

Dave020 · 07-03-2009, 09:10 AM

Depends on the carrier. If you average across the 4 carriers I use, about 3% on HIPAA.

IFP underwritten is 20%/10%. Conversion pays 0%.

sman · 07-03-2009, 09:30 AM

Dave,

You don't have to defend yourself to anyone on this board. Especially not some newbie (to the board anyway). If what you do was available here in Georgia I know I would do it (not because there is a ton of money in it, but because it's the right thing to do and no one else would be doing it - except for somarco maybe). Sure it's nice to get the higher commissions, but how many people can truly say that they write 30+ cases a month?

Keep up the good work Dave!

GreenSky · 07-03-2009, 10:01 AM

Dave -

As you know, I find HIPAA a pain in the ass. I will do it if I have to but it really is a specialty best left to people smarter than me. That's why I've referred people to you.

I wonder if ObamaCare will require the use of insurance agents already expert in HIPAA. If so, you are one of the few still with a career.

By the way, you still owe me that Guinness.

Rick

Dave020 · 07-03-2009, 10:09 AM

Thanks, appreiciate the support.

There a a lot of good agents on this forum and I enjoy learning things and helping where and when I can.

I wish every state gave the opportunity to earn something on GI products (risk pools, HIPAA, whatever) because it would certainly help to some degree to decrease the number of uninsured that the politicians always talk about.

Things have really gotten interesting over the last few months in my arena.

I am now getting the fallout of eligible but uninsurables from the "big online agency which we will not name" which is undoubtedly an A producer LOL. They send them to me!

Also, I have been getting calls from people every day wanting to get "my" HIPAA application over to me for enrollment. I figure they must have gotten it off of my site. But no, they were given my web page and application paperwork for HIPAA from their HR Department with their separation packet! Apparently several Palo Alto hi-tech companies have begun to include my HIPAA information off of my web site in those termination packets.

Can't beat that with a stick. Happy 4th to all here on the forum and enjoy some good BBQ and fireworks!

somarco · 07-03-2009, 10:43 AM

24 people who were uninsurable on that day got health insurance, that is what matters to me.

That is the way every agent should approach their clients. Doing everything in their power to help them find the coverage they need without regard to the financial payoff.

Keep up the good work. We need more agents with your ethics.

healthagent · 07-03-2009, 10:46 AM

Dave, total agreement with sman - you don't owe this 6 post douche any explanation or justification.

moonlightandmargaritas · 07-03-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Dave020

Most other agents and most RSMs in CA have no real idea what I do

They probably don't have any idea what they do either.

Probably unfair at best to generalize, but my experience over the years is that kind of position is populated mainly by nitwits.

Not all of 'em, but the majority.

Rick Liuag · 07-03-2009, 12:07 PM

Hey guys WHAT ABOUT MY BOOK that started this entire thread. While you guys were bad mouthing and blasting me curious onlookers were going to my site and purchasing my ebook. I sold 10 books while you guys were roasting me. Now that you have stopped ripping ME, the sales from this sites promo code has ceased. I am sure there is SOMETHING you can drum up about me to get this fire started again. Have enjoyed the banter, not much pertinent insurance information but good chat room stuff. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Dave020 · 07-03-2009, 12:08 PM

I've been very fortunate to have good RSMs over the last few years. They jump right in and help me with cases they don't even get comp on. I appreciate it and I have had them working up a sweat before.

I think a lot of it is that since they don't get comp on it they don't really spend any time with it, relative to underwritten coverage (which they are compensated on).

The last Anthem RSM I had (before the latest debacle) was most knowledgeable because he had been in direct sales prior to becoming RSM. So, he had sold the plans direct for years and knew the ins and outs better than those coming from tech support or agent support positions.

Rick, I know I owe you a beer. Maybe I will have a relax weekend down in Solvang this year and we can meet up there.
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Originally Posted by Rick Liuag

Hey guys WHAT ABOUT MY BOOK that started this entire thread. While you guys were bad mouthing and blasting me curious onlookers were going to my site and purchasing my ebook. I sold 10 books while you guys were roasting me. Now that you have stopped ripping ME, the sales from this sites promo code has ceased. I am sure there is SOMETHING you can drum up about me to get this fire started again. Have enjoyed the banter, not much pertinent insurance information but good chat room stuff. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

1. Is there a satisfaction guarantee on this e-book? I don't see it on the site.

2. Would you consider a 4th of July forum special say 20% off or something for forum members promo code?

The reason I ask is that Frank Stastny has offered his CRM, YIO, to forum members in the past both at a discount price and with money-back guarantee.

GreenSky · 07-03-2009, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Dave020

Rick, I know I owe you a beer. Maybe I will have a relax weekend down in Solvang this year and we can meet up there.

Solvang works for me. Just let me know when you'll be there. We can solicit the uninsurables while we're at it.

Rick