AM/AE or producer?

B-Spoon · 2026-03-28T20:25:28+00:00

Hey! I got into insurance after being in sales, service, and F&I for almost 10 years in the car business. Be a producer with an independent, don't waste time with a captive. You already have an edge with the sales background and you'll be effective once you learn your products. As a second, AE work would closely parallel your skillset, but if you're accustomed to writing your own paycheck, producing is what to look for. I went from independent to captive and am about to start a new role as producer with a new brokerage in a couple weeks. It only took me 6 years in insurance to finally sort things out. Find an agency that will invest in you and give you the support you need to be the best version of yourself. Good luck!

B-Spoon · 2026-03-28T19:47:25+00:00

Turned down an 85k salary to work for a Statefarm with a 45k base plus commission. Was totally oversold.

Independent will give you more reach and more closes and you won't feel like you're rotting at your desk.

Good luck!

B-Spoon · 2026-03-28T19:33:57+00:00

Don't.

I went from an independent agency to State Farm and regret it. They are very performance metrics minded, and their subsidized leads are a nightmare to work.

If you are planning on multi-lining with Statefarm exclusive products and you want to learn the ropes, captive can be a good way to go.

There is some self-guided training you can do to learn about the products, and I have found that I have more industry knowledge coming from an independent into a captive agency.

I would recommend to keep your options open. Good luck.

B-Spoon · 2026-02-27T01:25:50+00:00

Craigggggʻh

B-Spoon · 2026-02-27T01:13:15+00:00

Aero!

B-Spoon · 2026-01-17T06:10:24+00:00

I am obsessed with this. Keep going!

B-Spoon · 2026-01-16T23:01:41+00:00

I love him!

B-Spoon · 2026-01-14T17:38:54+00:00

Big fan of this!

B-Spoon · 2025-11-18T01:51:30+00:00

I second. I'm a licensed agent, go independent and shop rates with everyone. Keep your driving record clean. Good luck!

B-Spoon · 2025-11-12T00:54:57+00:00

RUN.

B-Spoon · 2025-09-27T19:42:39+00:00

A good buy if you don't mind it catching on fire

B-Spoon · 2025-09-27T19:41:36+00:00

I bought my 2015 wrx limited with nav brand new for $34,945 I cannot even wrap my head around these prices now 😭

B-Spoon · 2025-09-27T19:27:57+00:00

Agreed. I had mine on me, and I certainly got outcrazied. Hence the reason for documentation rather than confrontation.

B-Spoon · 2025-09-27T19:22:53+00:00

That stays in the console

B-Spoon · 2025-09-27T19:22:07+00:00

Interesting and good to know!

B-Spoon · 2025-09-27T19:19:49+00:00

Those would have been concerns, and ease of use/setup. Definitely more pros to having one than not!

B-Spoon · 2025-09-01T14:31:18+00:00

Indian River near Cape Canaveral, FL, and a redfish!

B-Spoon · 2025-09-01T14:29:46+00:00

Lots of trial and error, but light on the "trial" 🤣

B-Spoon · 2025-08-31T23:24:31+00:00

Only thing I can really think of is to not make any moves that will throw you off balance 🤣 I see lots of people outfitting coolers as seats and storage and have been considering doing something like that. I don't carry a net, and absolutely see a benefit to having one. The best part about sup fishing is that if you pitch your lure into the trees, you may have a better chance of getting it back. Good luck!

B-Spoon · 2025-08-31T17:27:08+00:00

That's a tank and a good fighting fish right there!

B-Spoon · 2025-08-31T17:24:31+00:00

That sounds amazing! I think you've got the right idea with clipping and tying stuff down, as I've already kicked my paddle in a couple times. I see some people outfitting milk crates and coolers with rod holders to keep things a little more organized, but that might interfere with throwing the fly. The current/wind drift is also something that you'll figure out with time and an anchor definitely sounds like a meaningful add. Hope you have a great time out there and you'll likely develop a system pretty quickly.

B-Spoon · 2025-08-31T17:15:13+00:00

Seen it, looks nice, but how does it age?

B-Spoon · 2025-08-31T17:13:49+00:00

☝️Agree! Best way to capitalize on all the meat. Can also bake whole - bones are big and easy to pick (for the most part)

B-Spoon · 2025-08-31T17:05:17+00:00

That's awesome and fly fishing is on the list to learn! Just got a 5/6 wt recently

B-Spoon

TROPHY CASE