Insurance Agent Forum

[CaliChick83]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and have been combing through the forum for the last few days. I have to say I am a bit overwhelmed but I am glad that I found this. I appreciate all that I am learning here so thank you. I apologize ahead of time if what I ask has been covered; I am slowly reading through everything and wanted to just throw it out there.

I currently work in the entertainment industry. I help to manage clients in the industry and on the production side its a lot of business to business sales. I have a business degree from USC (Go Trojans). I am an extremely hard worker and do not mind working 60+ hours a week. From what I have been reading here I feel like I possess the skills to succeed in this business. I am young (early 20's) and do not have any kids yet, so I want to hit the ground running and learn as much as I can. Right now, I would like to start captive and then go independent. I am not exactly sure which type insurance yet, but am leaning toward small-med business retirement/health/life, but am also kind of interested in disability and LTC. Most of the companies that I am looking at offer everything from individual financial planning to group health/life.

I would like to know who knows about New York Life, Mass Mutual, Northwestern Mutual, Guardian, MetLife, and Prudential Financial specifically in Los Angeles area or just California in general? I would like to know specifics on commissions at these companies, support for new people, and reputation in California. basically, I am seeking the best training I can get as well as ease to change to independent afterwards. I know that it depends on the individual office and the manager, but I would like to narrow it down to about 3 or 4 companies. Then I would go to each and see what vibe I get from the manager and ask all of the specific questions listed in this forum.

Also when someone starts at a company that offers so many products/services like those are they able to test the waters to see where their niche might be or are the expected pretty much already know which area they want to work in?

I welcome any feedback anyone has about these companies and/or this location.

Thanks

[GreenSky]

I'm sorry but to be successful in this industry you need a degree from a better school. You might think about, oh say, UCLA!

Rick

[Corporate Death]

Originally Posted by GreenSky

I'm sorry but to be successful in this industry you need a degree from a better school. You might think about, oh say, UCLA!

Rick

Your both wrong. Penn State would be the ULTIMATE choice.

[CaliChick83]

Originally Posted by GreenSky

I'm sorry but to be successful in this industry you need a degree from a better school. You might think about, oh say, UCLA!

Rick

Rick,
It's too bad UCLA did not offer a B.S. in Business Administration, because then MAYBE, just maybe I would have considered it.

L

</IMG>

[GreenSky]

Originally Posted by CaliChick83

Rick,
It's too bad UCLA did not offer a B.S. in Business Administration, because then MAYBE, just maybe I would have considered it.

You're right about that. When I attended (before electricity) there were few classes that would prepare anyone for life - all seemed to lead to graduate school.

If I could do it over again, I would not have majored in Poli Sci but would have gone to CSUN (called Valley State then) and taken business courses.

Rick

[theinuranceguy]

OH...IO

Sorry, its a Buckeye thing...

[senior-advisor-indiana]

I was in the ol' Buckeye State again this past weekend. They need to fix the damn traffic problems on 75.

[CaliChick83]

Originally Posted by theinuranceguy

OH...IO

Sorry, its a Buckeye thing...

No worries, I am actually from Ohio...born in Cleveland grew up in Bedford Heights. I get back there at least once a year. My sister went to Ohio State. How's the weather treating you?

L

[JustinTime]

Hey CaliChick83 I know your original post mentioned about you leaning toward small-med business retirement/health/life, but also being kind of interested in disability and LTC.

I'm wondering if you've considered working in the senior market (other than just LTC). Some of the advantages is that most seniors don't work and are at home during the day. This makes it easier to get in touch with them.

Currently there are around 43 million Americans on Medicare and by 2030 there are expected to be around 80 million...so it's a growing market. The senior health & life market can be a great market to get into. Selling products like Medicare Supplements (health ins.), Medicare Advantage, Final Expense/Whole Life, LTC, Part D are all areas that have helped a lot of agents make a good living.

As far as being captive goes or starting out with an agency be prepared to take a significant cut in commissions. It might be as much as half of the commission as an independent agent. I know it's nice to have some sales training and that might be where it would be a good idea to consider an independent Field Marketing Organization that can give you sales tools or resouraces to help you get started on the right foot. If you're interested I would considering checking out Senior Marketing Specialists. You can check them out online by going to Senior Marketing Specialists.

You can call them up at 800-689-2800. If you do call them up be sure to ask for Kiley.

[2fast]

Originally Posted by CaliChick83

Hi,
I am new to this forum and have been combing through the forum for the last few days. I have to say I am a bit overwhelmed but I am glad that I found this. I appreciate all that I am learning here so thank you. I apologize ahead of time if what I ask has been covered; I am slowly reading through everything and wanted to just throw it out there.

I currently work in the entertainment industry. I help to manage clients in the industry and on the production side its a lot of business to business sales. I have a business degree from USC (Go Trojans). I am an extremely hard worker and do not mind working 60+ hours a week. From what I have been reading here I feel like I possess the skills to succeed in this business. I am young (early 20's) and do not have any kids yet, so I want to hit the ground running and learn as much as I can. Right now, I would like to start captive and then go independent. I am not exactly sure which type insurance yet, but am leaning toward small-med business retirement/health/life, but am also kind of interested in disability and LTC. Most of the companies that I am looking at offer everything from individual financial planning to group health/life.

I would like to know who knows about New York Life, Mass Mutual, Northwestern Mutual, Guardian, MetLife, and Prudential Financial specifically in Los Angeles area or just California in general? I would like to know specifics on commissions at these companies, support for new people, and reputation in California. basically, I am seeking the best training I can get as well as ease to change to independent afterwards. I know that it depends on the individual office and the manager, but I would like to narrow it down to about 3 or 4 companies. Then I would go to each and see what vibe I get from the manager and ask all of the specific questions listed in this forum.

Also when someone starts at a company that offers so many products/services like those are they able to test the waters to see where their niche might be or are the expected pretty much already know which area they want to work in?

I welcome any feedback anyone has about these companies and/or this location.

Thanks

All of the companies that you listed are pretty solid. I have interviewed multiple times with all of them except Mass Mutual and Guardian. In my experience, they are all fairly similar as far as structure goes. It is more a matter of finding a management team that you feel comfortable with. I am here in So-Cal as well, in the Orange County area. They all seem to have training programs aimed at agent success. They all have fairly rigorous screening of prospective agents to attempt to avoid high turnover. Good luck to you in your search.

[theinuranceguy]

Originally Posted by JustinTime

Hey CaliChick83 I know your original post mentioned about you leaning toward small-med business retirement/health/life, but also being kind of interested in disability and LTC.

I'm wondering if you've considered working in the senior market (other than just LTC). Some of the advantages is that most seniors don't work and are at home during the day. This makes it easier to get in touch with them.

Currently there are around 43 million Americans on Medicare and by 2030 there are expected to be around 80 million...so it's a growing market. The senior health & life market can be a great market to get into. Selling products like Medicare Supplements (health ins.), Medicare Advantage, Final Expense/Whole Life, LTC, Part D are all areas that have helped a lot of agents make a good living.

As far as being captive goes or starting out with an agency be prepared to take a significant cut in commissions. It might be as much as half of the commission as an independent agent. I know it's nice to have some sales training and that might be where it would be a good idea to consider an independent Field Marketing Organization that can give you sales tools or resouraces to help you get started on the right foot. If you're interested I would considering checking out Senior Marketing Specialists. You can check them out online by going to Senior Marketing Specialists.

You can call them up at 800-689-2800. If you do call them up be sure to ask for Kiley.

Dude, Not to be rude, but every post you make you are peddling this agency, nothing wrong with that (i guess). But, we are not stupid, and know that you are getting a kick back on this, nothing wrong with that either, but lets be honest and stop pretending your not affiliated with them.

As for the traffic on 75... you should try 70 its 100X worse, and I live on the corner of both, YUCK!

[The Rabbi]

I met an attractive NY Life agent (former tv anchor in Mexico). She was in her third year and was looking forward to hitting 6 figures before long. She called on business.

[senior-advisor-indiana]

Originally Posted by theinuranceguy

As for the traffic on 75... you should try 70 its 100X worse, and I live on the corner of both, YUCK!

Where do you live at? The Cracker Barrel?

I have been at 70&75 4 times over the past month. I will be by there on memorial weekend too. I'll honk next time.

[theinuranceguy]

Originally Posted by senior-advisor-indiana

Where do you live at? The Cracker Barrel?

I have been at 70&75 4 times over the past month. I will be by there on memorial weekend too. I'll honk next time.

Haha, You Honk, and Ill come out with the grits.

[senior-advisor-indiana]

I'll give you a ring if I ever have any spare time when I am around there. I love Cracka Barrel.

[theinuranceguy]

Originally Posted by CaliChick83

No worries, I am actually from Ohio...born in Cleveland grew up in Bedford Heights. I get back there at least once a year. My sister went to Ohio State. How's the weather treating you?

L

Weather here is nuts... one day its cold, next day its hot, next day its snowing ....

But Im from Dayton, not too far from Cleveland... Weather up there is even more crazy....

Why would anyone move from OH to Cali??? Your Crazy!

[theinuranceguy]

Originally Posted by senior-advisor-indiana

I'll give you a ring if I ever have any spare time when I am around there. I love Cracka Barrel.

Haha, I got a funny thing to tell you!

Rick Called me today and says... blah blah blah, you know how Rick is, then I mention my girlfriend, he says "Hold On A Second.... I thought you were gay???" .... I said, "Gay, how the hell do you figure that??" .... He said... "MIke Told Me" LOLOL!

I told him Ya, MIke would know! haha

[senior-advisor-indiana]

Originally Posted by theinuranceguy

Haha, I got a funny thing to tell you!

Rick Called me today and says... blah blah blah, you know how Rick is, then I mention my girlfriend, he says "Hold On A Second.... I thought you were gay???" .... I said, "Gay, how the hell do you figure that??" .... He said... "MIke Told Me" LOLOL!

I told him Ya, MIke would know! haha

[CaliChick83]

Originally Posted by theinuranceguy

Why would anyone move from OH to Cali??? Your Crazy!

Well...ha ha ha
1.) My parents moved here when I was in school, so it really wasn't a choice on my part
2.) As you can see, the weather here is so much BETTER!
3.) Now I LOVE IT!!!