Insurance Agent Forum

[onlineagent08]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Does anyone have any feedback on United Brokerage Group? I spoke with them the other day and they have "free" leads with pre-set appointments @ 50% comm or buy leads for $30 at 90% comm. They claim to be able to give an agent 8-12 pre-sets/week.
The idea of pre-set appt's is appealing but that just seems like a lot to give up in commission. The math just doesn't seem to work for me.

Jeff - what about buying the leads and putting the business wherever you want? Do they have a third option like this?

I hate the idea that you would be "locked in" with one Broker like that. How are they on service?

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by onlineagent08

Jeff - what about buying the leads and putting the business wherever you want? Do they have a third option like this?

I hate the idea that you would be "locked in" with one Broker like that. How are they on service?

I doubt they have the third option & don't know about the service or lead quality which why I was wondering if anyone else has run across them.

After thinking about it some more it seems I could just buy leads or generate my own and retain control. Would really have to analyze the amount & cost of time it takes to generate leads vs having the pre-set appt's.

[thomasde]

Originally Posted by onlineagent08

WIN - Direct mail leads ... If the lead comes from a reputable lead source and if you are confident to "close" over the phone vs. face-to-face, I would go with direct mail leads (or any lead that does not warrant face-to-face interaction).

There are some new products out there by major carriers that fall under the "mortgage protection" product cloud, issued in under 3 days (no blood/urine) and you are paid EFT the next week. Oh and you do not need to be face to face with them.

Who offers that?

[Winter]

Originally Posted by thomasde

Who offers that?

RBC Insurance (Royal Bank of Canada) has internet/phone only/online application and policy issue. It is just term insurance. No mortgage required. I am appointed with them but never got in groove of doing business with them. Their smoker rates are good, especially on the underwritten products. I think the value of that system is that if you have young clients who want insurance but the premium is very small, you can sign them up online and make a few dollars because you dont have anything invested in time, gas, picking up apps, delivering policies etc. I looked into it at one point and got appointed. Maybe I need to dust it off and activate it. Without a system like that, even with express term applications, you are basically just doing a service to the client to sign up a person in their 20's or 30's who just wants a small policy, and are barely paying for your gas and time.

Winter

[Ahnuld]

Originally Posted by moonlightandmargaritas

It looks like the "free" leads are not "free"...

Amen to that. The only thing close to free is the legroom in my shorts. wink wink.

[onlineagent08]

Originally Posted by thomasde

Who offers that?

Fidelity Life Association
- Rapid Decision Term (Up to 300K)
- Mortgage Term (Up to 500K)

HSBC's product
- Their quick issue (simplified app) is fairly new - Around 6 brokers received top HSBC contracts. Is your broker one of them?!

GTL
- They have an online product similar to RBC's product

I would recommend Fidelity's RDT (Rapid Decision Term) all day long over any other simplified issue product, as of right now.

[NCnatwidagent]

I'm reading alot on this thread about selling on the phone. I'm curious as to how you do this?
I'm a life agent and all of my applications ask if client was seen in person. Also, depending on the amount, ages of client etc. I might have to administer an oral fluid test. How are these things bypassed when submitting an application?
This might be "simple" question, but I'm a captive agent with an agency. Is it different being an independent?

Thanks,
John

[tom_ryan]

[COLOR=black]John:[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]We bring our clients allot of business over the telephone; however we start by 'pre qualifying' some one by their demographics, next we dial and work through a scrip which further, finds their interest and qualification for your product. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Next, we set an appointment where much of the prospecting and qualification work is done, we email those appointments out each day to your inbox.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Hope this clears up our business practice and helps you decide upon your next course of action.[/COLOR]

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

"ask if client was seen in person"

If you don't, then indicate that on the app. 98% of the life apps I write are not face-to-face.

And John---don't give your money away to a company that will make calls for you...just yet. Investigate at least three different companies. Ask some members of the Board their opinion of the company you are considering purchasing from.

[SportsNut]

Originally Posted by NCnatwidagent

I might have to administer an oral fluid test.

What...? You, as in you personally administering this test...?
I am tempting to ask some smart-azz questions here... You can imagine what they might be... (who holds the bottle, who steers, etc).

The company don't use a paramed for this...? I guess I have never heard of such a thing.

Wow.

[The Hunter]

Sports nut,Please read the post . It said Oral Fluid. Many companies use this testing to eliminate the cost of a para med. This is a non invasive saliva test that the customer self administers in the presence of the agent.Primarily test for HIV and tobacco use.

[SportsNut]

Got it... I kind of figured that right after I posted...

But the pictures that the statement conjured up in my mind... Ohh!

I am still not familiar with the oral fluids test, although it has been yrs since I have been active in the biz. Now sellings as you questioned, over the phone. No pers interview and NO oral fluids...

Thanks for righting my process here NC.

[ssobel3038]

I haven't found a good pre set appointment yet. Nothing like setting your own.

[bgassassin]

I figured this would be a good thread to piggyback off of. How exactly do companies like NAA get the information to send a home buyer a letter?

[WIN]

Originally Posted by bgassassin

I figured this would be a good thread to piggyback off of. How exactly do companies like NAA get the information to send a home buyer a letter?

County recorders office.

[susieQ]

Courthouse records. Have a friend that has a friend that works in the courthouse, gets the info as soon as it come in. I think he tips her

[HomeService]

I first saw an oral fluid test in 1991 or 1992 when I was with Am General. Since then I've seen it with every company I've been with- since. Client Just puts a swab in their mouth, puts swab in test tube thing, breaks off handle, test tube goes in envelope, ships it off to lab, no biggie.
They check for tobacco and cocaine use I think, amongst others.

[bgassassin]

LOL @ susie. Thanks to the both of you.

[bluemarlin08]

Been in the business a long time and never seen this test used. Never could understand why most people wouldn't want the lowest premium for their term insurance??

[WIN]

Funny Friday story that I couldn't help but pass along.

I enjoy the forum as it has helped to fill in some of the holes in my business model with one exception...if you mention "mortgage protection" you are somehow less of life insurance agent than those that feel they have either graduated or have no first hand knowledge of using the marketing strategy.

That being said...back to my story.

I'm on the phone a few minutes ago with a buddy of mine that also works the mortgage protection market as we chat every day about what's going on with our businesses and he says "did I tell you about my appointment with the xxxx insurance executive yesterday?"

He proceeds to tell me how he got a lead card back for a 400k mortgage and recognized the name, as the prospect was the number 4 most senior executive at one of the largest personal lines companies in America. He knew this because he had left the company last summer to branch out on his own vs. building an agency with them.

He proceeds wondering why is this guy filling out direct mail for freaking life insurance. Gets to the home, finds the pain, presents a solution, completes the app for just shy of 9k in a.p. on a perfectly healthy applicant that knows exactly what he qualifies for.

To me the moral to the story is to never judge a lead and maybe around here, don't be so quick to judge a marketing strategy.