Insurance Agent Forum

[Markingriffin]

You are going to run into a lot of clients that will tell you that they just can’t afford insurance right now, but you might help them to think about their priorities and come up with extra money they have not thought about.

I know times are tough for everyone. People are losing their jobs and their homes everyday. We are all scared to death right now. But, when gas was up to $4.50 a gallon, we some how made it. We all learned to cut back on certain things. We found out that a lot of the things that we thought we had to have, we didn’t. We made a list of our priorities.

Here is an Example .
Home Phone Service.
Most of us these days have a cell phone and never really use our home phones. I’m going to use me, for this example. I have AT&T and I have the bundle package without long distance. It comes with 3 way calling, Caller ID, calling waiting and everything that I thought I could not live without when I first got it. I spend over $50.00 a month on this home phone service. But the truth be told, I could cut this service off and save $50.00 a month or put it toward something else more important. I could cut off something that I never use and do without it. I just have really not thought about this. I only now think about it, when it is time to cut back.

I could sit here and list a million things that we really don’t need if we think about it or we could downgrade the things we think we need.

Another Example.

Directv.

I spend over $110 a month on my Directv. But I could at least downgrade to something cheaper to save money. I could at least cut $60.00 a month off my bill each month. I could take off some of those great channels I love. HBO, Showtime. ETC. and still have plenty to watch.

I could come up with a ton of things, after really thinking about it that I don’t really need or could cut back on.

My priorities should be on more important things. I’ve sit down and thought about what is the highest on my list and what is the lowest on my list. My family is on top of the list. I have 5 kids, 2 dogs and a wife. They are more important then home phone or tv. But yet, I rather have the things that I could do without, then to leave them more money and more protection. Within 5 mins and these 2 simple things, I cut out $100.00 a month on my spending that I could now put toward more important things. Insurance is very high on my list. I make sure that my insurance gets paid before most of my other bills.

I hear clients say all the time that they know they need the insurance, but can’t afford it. But if they sit down and think about their priorities, I bet they can find a way to cut back and come up with the money.

If they just cut back 1 time a month going out to eat with their family, they can come up with enough money to buy life insurance and protect their family members.

I’m going to be honest for a second. We all just like our “Stuff” too much! Most of us out live our means. Wait a second; my mother has done got into my head. Maybe she was right. I can still hear her talking to me about priorities. Mark you can either have this new bike or new school cloths. HMM, mom I want the bike. Now Mark, where are you priorities. LOL

Tighten up your belt and make your family priority number 1. I know you all love your family and want to make sure if something happens to you, that they would continue to have the same life styles. Just ask any agent what just 1 dollar a day would do to help your family. Now ask them what 2 dollars a day would do. How many dollars a day, can you put aside for your family members?

Talk to your clients about this. I bet you could help them think of ways to cut back and put their family on top of the list again.

[arnguy]

Well, Mark, you could start by dropping Diret TV and getting one of those digital converter boxes with a $40 coupon from the government and a set of "rabbit ears."

Hmmm, kids,dogs, and wife? In many cases, the wife is expendable!

[dgoldenz]

Sounds like what the car dealers love to tell people.....it's only pennies a day more! Just cut out that extra sandwich for lunch you fattie, then you can afford the car of your dreams!

[jdeasy]

I don't agree with selling that way. It will work for the short term, but, not after the slick sales pitch wears off.

If a person wants what you are selling, they will find a way to pay for it. If they don't want it, they will find a way to pay for the stuff they do want.