Looking to Hire Assistant - Need License?

TPAAgent · 06-18-2009, 07:20 PM

Looking to hire an assitant to take inbound calls - quotes

Licensed in Florida and Georgia selling Life and health

Can my assitant quote rates via the phone without a Life, Health license?

Thanks for any advise

djs · 06-18-2009, 07:44 PM

Nope. Okay, I can't speak to your states, but in general, if they are providing quotes, they need to be licensed.

Some might argue this, but getting a license is the safe bet.

Dan

xrac · 06-18-2009, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by djs

Nope. Okay, I can't speak to your states, but in general, if they are providing quotes, they need to be licensed.

Some might argue this, but getting a license is the safe bet.
Dan

I agree!

Markingriffin · 06-18-2009, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by djs

Nope. Okay, I can't speak to your states, but in general, if they are providing quotes, they need to be licensed.

Some might argue this, but getting a license is the safe bet.

Dan

I agree!

I've seen a few agents get in a lot of trouble for allowing others in their office to give out quotes. This is a big NO-NO.

You can have someone answer your phone for you and take a message,,but not give out quotes.

myinsurebiz · 06-19-2009, 12:13 PM

In FL and GA they can take the calls, gather info BUT can't quote rates or discuss benefits.

Get them a sub-agents license. No test required and it's cheap.

Tom

Norwayguy · 06-19-2009, 12:16 PM

I also agree that your best bet is to get them licensed...The only funny part is they can go to a million websites put in info (which will probably be wrong in regards to rate class) and get rates. Once again I strongly recommend you get the person licensed.

moonlightandmargaritas · 06-19-2009, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by myinsurebiz

In FL and GA they can take the calls, gather info BUT can't quote rates or discuss benefits.

Get them a sub-agents license. No test required and it's cheap.

Never heard of a "sub-agents" license in Florida. Details?

Quote · 06-19-2009, 10:57 PM

What if I said there was a large Internet broker that sells Health Insurance in California and almost 1/4 the staff isn't licensed, but still sells?

They also sell around 1500 policies a month!

djs · 06-20-2009, 12:18 AM

What people do and what people should do are not always the same thing.

They are probably working some kind of loophole. I wouldn't push my luck, especially if I was that large. The size would paint a target on you.

Dan

stuy119 · 06-20-2009, 07:13 AM

Yeah, I can't see it being worth taking a chance on. Here in IL it's $500 (roughly) to get someone licensed from start to finish.

Either suck it up and pay for it, or just have them answer phones.

souldeux · 06-20-2009, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by moonlightandmargaritas

Never heard of a "sub-agents" license in Florida. Details?

In Georgia you can get a limited sub-agent's license that allows you to do everything except bind business. So you can pretty much do everything except sign the apps - perfect if you want an assistant. No test, I think there's a short prelicensing course, and the fees are only like $70.

Newby · 06-20-2009, 10:19 AM

It's my understanding that if they even answer a questions to your existing clients such as "How long do I have to get that payment in?" they have to be licensed.

I see no reason to risk it.

When I'm getting terrible and wrong information from customer service at any insurance company I always just ask what their license number is. That gets you moved up the chain or sometimes hung up on.

moonlightandmargaritas · 06-20-2009, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Newby

When I'm getting terrible and wrong information from customer service at any insurance company I always just ask what their license number is. That gets you moved up the chain or sometimes hung up on.

More quality back-office action...

YouGotMyMoney · 06-20-2009, 11:24 AM

Speaking of call centers and unlicensed reps.....

There is one here in Fort Lauderdale, that has at least 2 agents who lost their license.

There is also another call center around town where the owner's aren't even licensed.

ScottHCO · 06-22-2009, 04:00 PM

I would get your assistant licensed. First of all, it’s the only way they can legally discuss plans, benefits and prices with your clients. Secondly, your assistant may develop the skills to actually sell insurance and take applications for you. Several of our agents have hired assistants just to help with their admin and found that they became very good at selling insurance too…much like a CSR in an Allstate office. Your overall sales go up and you become less tied to your office. Lots of benefits to this approach.

Good luck!