There is one key question you should ask any aggregator before you join: What type of appointments will I have access to? Varying carrier appointments mean very different things when it comes to access, earnings, and ownership of that business. Before you sign on the dotted line, ensure you understand all the differences laid out … Read more
Everyone says that now is the time to transition from a captive agency to an independent one, but we wanted to examine what that process looked like and why captive agents are looking to switch so quickly. Our Communications Supervisor Madeline Smith sat down with Agency Principal Eric Ash (Eric L. Ash Agency) to discuss … Read more
Finding the perfect commercial lines insurance for everyone who walks through your door can be cumbersome. There is a lot of work that goes into the process: You have to search through all of the carriers to find the right one, then you have to look through all of their lines of business to figure … Read more
If events seem like a waste of your time, you are probably not attending the right ones. The mark of a great event is leaving with memorable takeaways (i.e. more knowledge about profitable subjects, more connections to insurance experts, etc.). This is why it is important to know the purpose of the event you plan … Read more
In my previous article, I spoke about how both you and your clients can benefit from life settlements. Though the advantages seem too good to be true, there are real-life situations where your customers stand to gain more through life settlements than they would retaining an outdated life insurance policy. Here are a few … Read more
Ok, I’ll say it: We are ALL glad 2020 is almost over! This year threw a lot at small businesses, and some of us are still trying to put our heads on straight. To get yourself a little more prepared for 2021, here are some trends to watch in the insurance industry. Data-driven insurance This … Read more
Over the years, I have seen some mishaps from CSRs, producers, and agency owners that have resulted in clients filing a claim against their agency’s E&O Insurance policy. The real kicker is that some of these could have easily been avoided. As an agency owner, you try and protect your E&O Insurance against all possible … Read more
What are the pros and cons of a storefront vs. a home office vs. a rented “virtual” office/shared space? One of the biggest questions you’ll need to answer as you formulate plans to start your business is where you will locate it. Will you work from home or set up an office, storefront or other … Read more
There are a ton of website domain providers out there. Pick the one that offers you the best combination or price, service, and security. We have used GoDaddy, Network Solutions, and Google Domains. I am going to use GoDaddy for the visuals below, but the steps are pretty much the same for all three sites: … Read more
Once you settle on a name you like, you will need to protect it. First, you need to register your entity name at the state level. Typically, the information you will need to file with your state agency includes: a. Business Name b. Business Location c. Ownership/Management Structure (for LLCs, this is typically your Articles … Read more