While there can be benefits to working exclusively for a single insurance company, there are also plenty of drawbacks of being “captive,” and limited to only selling one brand of products. When it comes to serving clients, it’s beneficial to be flexible on product and pricing options. If you’ve been a captive agent in the … Read more
With rising travel costs and other expenses, you may question whether it’s worth the investment to attend industry conferences and trade shows. However, these events are crucial for staying competitive in tough economic times and fostering both personal and business growth. Here are ten reasons why attending a couple of them each year can be … Read more
The insurance market is showing signs of softening, especially in the realms of property and casualty insurance and commercial insurance. While the hard market may continue through 2024, experts predict it will soften in 2025. Reinsurance may also increase by the end of the year, leading to softer market conditions in 2025. What does that … Read more
A blog from ASNOA’s own Director of Education, Laura Hamilton When it comes to running an insurance agency, offering commercial insurance can be a game-changer. While personal insurance policies may be more familiar to many people, the importance of selling commercial insurance should not be overlooked. In this blog post, we’ll explore why selling commercial … Read more
Joining an insurance network can provide independent agents with valuable resources, support, and opportunities for growth. It can ultimately help you compete more effectively in the insurance marketplace. However, agents need to ask questions and carefully evaluate the benefits, costs, and terms of membership before deciding to join a particular network. Here are 10 questions … Read more
A blog from ASNOA’s own Director of Education, Laura Hamilton In the ever-evolving world of insurance, where policies seem to change as quickly as the weather, one thing remains constant – the importance of servicing your clients. As we navigate through these challenging times in the insurance market, the value of providing top-notch service to … Read more
Marti Masterson and her husband Doug have been involved in the insurance industry for over 20 years, 11 of which they’ve spent as independent agents with ASNOA. Now the two are enjoying retirement after Marti sold her book for 280% of its revenue, but their journey was not an easy one. ASNOA’s Communications Supervisor Madeline … Read more
More money, independence, access, how many times have you heard these buzz words from other networks you’ve interviewed? The truth is they lure you in with these promises, but once affiliated, you’re quick to see the tarnish under the shine. We don’t mean to burst your bubble, but we’re tired of watching independent agents fall … Read more
What is ‘automation?’ Chances are by now that you’ve heard automation talked about in insurance at least half a dozen times now. Automate this, automate that – but what does it really mean? When these insurance leaders talk about how automation is changing the game in insurance, what specific processes are they referring to? Let’s … Read more
As an independent insurance agent, perhaps you have considered joining an insurance aggregator or agency network; in other words, an association consisting of multiple insurance agencies and which offers support and benefits to its members. These groups, also known as insurance clusters, can vary greatly from one to the next. Some cluster members share office … Read more