Insurance Agent Forum

[engineer]

Hello everyone! I'm a new agent working with an independent agency licensed in P&C. I'm wanting to focus in the commercial market, but I'm unclear as to what lines to start with. After reading on this forum and other places I've learned the learning curve with commercial lines are pretty big. I plan on starting with one specific line (like BOP, Workers Comp, etc.) to focus on to begin with until I understand it very well. Then move on to the next line and follow the same process. Hopefully, after a few years (maybe more ) I will have a solid understanding of most lines of commercial insurance.

So, which lines should I start with and which lines should I save for last? Also, what is the best way to learn commercial lines other than experience? Any inexpensive literature, training, websites, etc?

As a side note, I will be doing this part time in evenings and weekends (I understand it will take much longer to gain the understanding I need, but that is my current situation).

As always thanks in advance to all who reply.

Engineer

[Carlos Gil]

I would start with BOP's they are quick and easy to write in most cases.

Ask your carriers which lines that they currently offer are hot or have gone trough a recent rate decrease and focus on those.

[richardroma]

I would tend to start with your retail businesses (BOPs) - nail salons, beauty salons, gift shops, etc. Office professionals would be good too (dentists, accntns, etc) but its tough to see them during the day.

Are you planning on calling or dropping by thei business for prospecting. i have debated which one to do. More bang for the buck over the phone (no gas expense, more dials) vs more personal in person

[engineer]

Since I will be part time I will be focusing mostly over the phone working between 3-5 and most of the day saturday. I have worked some customer support before (used to be in high tech industry) and I'm pretty comfortable over the phone. But I will have to gauge that with the success I'm having. If the phone things isn't working out after a while I may have to start making visits on saturday.

Have you tried both? Which one do you prefer?

[Jerbond]

Network, Network, Network!!! If you are going to work primarily at night, your best bet is to meet alot of people. That way you get a great group on contacts. Once they see and talk to you a few times, they may offer you Ex-dates for their business, and probably write home and auto immediately. Also calling has a better return on investment. You can call a ton of people with no cost in gas, etc. If you do go face to face, you will probably not get a very good response. I used to manage a construction company and we would get bombarded by insurance- both phone and door knockers. Therefore I persoanlyy understand the "NO" now that I am an insurance agent. Don't let it get you down. The one thing that you hope for in door knocking is that eventually the secretary will find your brochure or business card 6 months down the line and call you. Best of luck!