Insurance Agent Forum

[txagt39]

Your response indicated a very good observation, you have to go with faith whatever route you take in life. When I got into the business with Farmers I purchased my office building 6 months into the reserve program. I did the number crunching and could not imagine how I would ever pay for it but we did it on faith. It was a 2,000 building that already had two entrances and two meters so I rented out half to an attorney for a couple of years - the rent paid my entire payment. After the 2nd year we had grown and needed all the space so we didn't renew the lease and we took over all the building, our business grew accordingly. Ten years later we grew to the point we needed to take another huge leap of faith and we purchased a new office with 4999 square feet. We made the move and our business grew again. We sold our old building making a nice profit and now we have significant equity in our new building. Had we waited until I could beyond doubt grow the business to make these expansions possible they would have never happened - you have to take leaps of faith then your production will follow, it's absolutely amazing.

[Billy Shears]

Nice thread. I too, would like to thank the long-term Farmers agents that have chimed in on this subject. Just a reminder that a lot more people are reading these topics than just the original poster, and good, solid feedback is more valuable than you realize. Thanks, Guys.

I was on board to start up with State Farm. Just bailed out on the process last week. I have decided to go with Farmers. The Farmers DM and his staff made all the difference. With SF I felt like a soldier awaiting his orders to get plugged into his duties. I must also say, that the "successful" TICA agents I spoke with all had not taken a paycheck for themselves after over a year. Regardless, I also am looking forward to the challenge as a Farmers agent, and like everyone else, I envision success, but the proof is in the pudding. You have to do the work, week in and week out.

[Jerbond]

Well I can tell you as an agent working for a brokerage firm. When you cold call someone and say you are from Farmer's- people recognize the name and will associate you with a strong insurance company. When I was calling from "named" insurance brokerage- people would say "who?", Not interested. Although I can beat 90% of Farmers pricing and services- the name recognition is going to get you in the door for the sale. But to let you know, all the agents at my brokerage were in the Farmers program first....

[Googly Moogly]

Cahall.....where in Alabama are you located?