Insurance Agent Forum

[Markingriffin]

I'm not the only one that has seen the progressive tv ad.

She is talking about discounts and if you buy online you get a discount.

What she is really saying is that if you buy from an agent, you don't get an discount and you just need to go online and get the discount.


I got a quotes from an agent and then went online and I saved money to avoid the agent.

Progressive don't need agents anymore.

I don't sell P and C, but man, it must make it hard if you sell progressive and people see the ads.

[bobson]

Originally Posted by Markingriffin

I'm not the only one that has seen the progressive tv ad.

She is talking about discounts and if you buy online you get a discount.

What she is really saying is that if you buy from an agent, you don't get an discount and you just need to go online and get the discount.


I got a quotes from an agent and then went online and I saved money to avoid the agent.

Progressive don't need agents anymore.

I don't sell P and C, but man, it must make it hard if you sell progressive and people see the ads.

Hmmmm. I've listened to some of the people on those lines and they don't know anything (or care) about car insurance. But then again the agent you saw in person might be no better.

But what's car insurance? It is just a commodity. One policy is the same as any other policy. Your net worth and future income probably won't ever be at risk in a car accident. The dreams and goals you and your lovely wife have for your future will probably never be affected by any kind of car accident. Your retirement will probably never come to a screeching halt because you look down at your radio for a split second to change channels to a Saturday Bulldog football game, thereby taking your eye off the road. And I'm sure a non-insured driver will never ever smash into your car and seriously injure you or your children. How many kids do you have? 4? I mean I've never really seen any serious injuries occur in car accidents. I've never seen bodies thrown in the ditch from car accidents. I've never seen 10 or 15 car pileups on the freeway. I've never heard of someone not being able to walk away from a car accident. I've never seen car accidents turn into multi-million dollar lawsuits.

But I'm glad you saved $50.00 on your car insurance. Plus you don't even have to talk to an agent. I'm sure the guy at the end of 1-800-dialinsurance cares how much protection you have if you were to get into a serious car accident (which it probably won't happen anyway...). And I'm sure he can really help you understand what protection your car insurance policy provides. I'm sure he can give you a good explanation in laymen's terms of what your policy provides.

I write with Progressive by the way. And it does suck they advertise like that. What sucks more is that Progressive seemingly appoints every independent agent in the world. Oh yeah and their commissions aren't as good as some other companies.

[mdavis]

Buying online means no commission paid to agent, therefore there is a "discount".

[VolAgent]

Originally Posted by mdavis

Buying online means no commission paid to agent, therefore there is a "discount".

You are assuming the costs to drive the consumer to the website, get the consumer to sign up, and retain the consumer are lower than the commission to an agent.

Can anyone show what the actual costs are versus commissions paid?

[annuityseller]

The rubber mets the road at claim time!! that's why I stick with a local agent I can get it cheaper but I don't care cause I want someone there when I need them.nothing is free?? the first ones to to bitch because of poor or untrained agents are the one's who purchased online or 800 number. I wish people would wake up and smell what the ROCK IS COOKIN'

[VacantHomeIns]

I only pay attention to TV ads where the money is singing or where cavemen are bowling. Didn't realize there were other insurance companies out there??

[theinsuranceman]

We are one generation from the extinction of insurance agents. Can you see the writing on the wall?

[bobson]

Originally Posted by theinsuranceman

We are one generation from the extinction of insurance agents. Can you see the writing on the wall?

We are a long ways from that. If you sell insurance like a commodity you are a lot closer than one generation from extinction.

[Dave020]

My mother works for a P&C agency in NY which sells Progressive. They do get a substantial number of people coming in for help who bought direct at the discount. They have to turn them away and refer the back to the carrier. The people are usually pissed because they are not getting the service they need for saving the commission.

[theinsuranceman]

I believe it is the insurance co., with its commercial touting to go online for a discount, that will influence the extinction...not if I sell the product as a "commodity".

[1manshow]

You are assuming the costs to drive the consumer to the website, get the consumer to sign up, and retain the consumer are lower than the commission to an agent.

Few years ago the cost to Geico for each new piece of business was around $240 and their persistency was around 80% thank god they suck

With an average auto policy of $800 @ 12% new that Prog pays, they just saved $96 they would have paid an agent. The price of loyalty

[Norwayguy]

Originally Posted by VolAgent

You are assuming the costs to drive the consumer to the website, get the consumer to sign up, and retain the consumer are lower than the commission to an agent.

Can anyone show what the actual costs are versus commissions paid?

I believe they split the cost of their TV ads between the direct and agent channel notice the ad says progressive independent Agent / 800#.

[vmctx]

I do like to shop online, but for something like insurance, I trust my agent. It is much better to have an agent advocate when you need one than to not have this and have to rely on the 1-800 help line. Insurance is not like buying makeup off of e-bay or ordering from Kohls.
Is anyone else absolutely sick of the Progressive "Flo" commercials? Time to retire those.

[brwright]

I dislike this Progressive ad also. Actually, I dislike all of Progressive's latest ads.

It feels like they are more Progressive Direct ads, rather than Progressive in general.

[xpirtdesign]

Seriously progressive is crazy there are going to be more insurance agents whats going on with that progressive how are they doing that?

[Sadaf]

S for a P&C agency in NY which sells Progressive. They do get a substantial number of people coming in for help who bought direct at the discount. They have to turn them away and refer the back to the carrier. The people are usually pissed because they are not getting the service they need for saving the commissio

[Norwayguy]

Originally Posted by Sadaf

s for a P&C agency in NY which sells Progressive. They do get a substantial number of people coming in for help who bought direct at the discount. They have to turn them away and refer the back to the carrier. The people are usually pissed because they are not getting the service they need for saving the commissio

I would bet they are pissed...the next question is are they pissed with you agency for turning them away in which case Progressive keeps the commission and pisses off a potential prospect for you.

[Markingriffin]

I pay my Progressive every 6 months. I just not my next bill and man, it is almost half what it was last time. My niece/daughter is turning 19 now, and we are all getting older and no tickets. I was shocked when I saw the bill.

We call that gift and suprises where I come from.

I like having progressive and how easy their website is to use.

[1manshow]

Yeah, they're a great deal so is buying term life insurance online

[elainedong]

I have tried to do quotes online and in person, and the rates to be the same even though Flo said you get discounts when you buy online.