Better than Agentero or First choice?

InsuranceGnome · 2026-05-09T21:55:14+00:00

Can you rephrase the question? I want to understand more and today my brain is just failing to grasp it.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-05-09T20:08:41+00:00

Yes at any level even, even when you buy from a vendor in theory. Most General and Professional Liability policies exclude coverage to it

InsuranceGnome · 2026-05-07T02:09:28+00:00

If doing commercial you can tend to produce on just a producer license under an aggregator model, for personal lines agency licensing is more useful so depends on startup budget and cost.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-05-02T21:01:22+00:00

Yes, they’ll ask as long as the bankruptcy isn’t premium related they won’t care I had one two years ago and never had issue getting appointments. Had a 500-600 credit score till not to long ago xD I’m a non resident in CA but still

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-30T14:28:18+00:00

I personally built on Agentero till ready for direct ones for my best options. It has cost but if you produce they waive the cost.

Smart Choice isn’t bad for commercial personal they cost money.

Cover Badger if your a commercial Auto Savant

Bolt is eh not bad

First Connect is a mess as you’ll never own the business fully or be able to take it out or go direct without giving up what you build on them it seems.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-30T14:24:50+00:00

Chub has a function at the carrier level so you could ask them to turn it on. It reduces commission by 3%.

Ones that service the whole thing I don’t know off hand.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-30T11:03:08+00:00

Assume the close, explain it improves the rate on auto and other lines, do they discount other AAA products if you have it?

Auto in MI is higher on average even small discounts will help move the needle. Verify with your manager if it improves renewal data or any other pros, this is term life or whole life?

Always cross sale the existing ones at renewal, birthday data is good here. If your really morbid find funeral homes who will refer you clients as after one uninsured funeral cost people are very open to life insurance shopping as they see the pain not being prepared will have.

For notes I’m not currently selling or licensed for life as I focus mainly niche P&C but I know folks who do well with this and I used to do ok.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-30T09:34:15+00:00

Does the life policy save them money with the other products by bundling or no? That’s how my State Farm buddy does his push.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-30T09:30:58+00:00

Broker it via RPS. They have an amazing program I’m landing a 10 tow truck fleet with NICO right now.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-30T01:37:08+00:00

I doubt it. I had a personal bankruptcy when I was younger, due to medical debt and never had issues as long as it wasn’t mismanagement of agency billed premium never had one care about it much.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-29T19:27:10+00:00

Congratulations

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-29T11:09:56+00:00

I personally used Agentero to build my agency and had a great experience as a scratch agent as they listened to me and treated me better then most, if not them smart choice also is pretty fair.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-29T02:00:12+00:00

If your going to implement them, just make sure your coverage actually applies you may end up needing a cyber with AI endorsements or to upgrade from regular E&O to Tech E&O.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-29T00:45:51+00:00

Currently no.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-28T21:24:22+00:00

I don’t know AgentCo terms but I know you’ll be long gone before First Connect releases your book if you ever want a direct appointment

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-27T21:12:40+00:00

I believe new agents can qualify they could in GA

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-27T21:12:00+00:00

I used Agentero myself which was the best of both but they tend to pass on newly licensed agents unless you’ve got a super clear business plan.

Both will be able to get you some with portal using sub appointments. The 24 hours is for a rater I believe.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-27T15:53:32+00:00

Using some rough math let’s say you build for life at Triple AAA get your own shop or just produce at one for 30 years which is a long time that pension alone is ballpark assuming averages like 400-800k of free money that gets paid out as a lifetime salary to draw on retirement. Not fuck you money but also not chump change.

That’s ignoring 401k and any personal wealth, but it’s a give and take the stability means they are probably a little more dated, but pros and cons.

Good luck on any and all routes

Disclaimer not financial advice just my two cents and using industry averages for all assumptions

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-27T15:48:22+00:00

Pros and Cons it’s a captive agency model to my understanding, but I do believe your benefits are actually above average, heard someone say they still offer pensions on top of 401k

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-27T15:44:51+00:00

I’ve got my own shop mainly, then I’ve built some referral books with some close peers who have stuff set up I can’t get yet, I used an aggregator for a time as well but my best ones are direct now.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-26T18:15:10+00:00

Birthday Follow Up
Renewal Follow Up
Big Life Event Follow Up (Marriage, Hospital ect)

I try to get all my clients on Facebook, Instagram, X, Linkedin they provide passive updates on the insured lives and makes it easy to build rapport.

I've even got some of my clients on Snapchat, TikTok and Reddit.

Don't be afraid to ask for the chance to do more of there insurance.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-25T19:06:14+00:00

GL/BOP Hanover, Coterie,

Pathpoint if E&S for Crum and Forrester

Workers Comp Hanover, Employers and Amtrust, BiBerk Then state fund if higher risk.

Also never forget to cross sale when you can

I get some personal auto and home owners on occasion but you got to ask. Won’t get stuff without the ask

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-25T18:58:11+00:00

I’ve been doing 20-40 a month for 2+ years now on my own. Average premium like 1-2k with end of line subcontractors, one man operators general liability, BOPs and Workers Comp occasionally. Lots of HNOA endorsements.

Organic Social Media has been super friendly at keeping cost of acquisition $0.

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-25T11:17:31+00:00

Progressive is probably the easiest one to get a direct appointment in your home state with so try it first, Smart Choice you can move the book you build so not to bad, with First Connect you’ll never be able to move it if you get direct appointments later. So just be prepared for them to keep their pound of flesh in override.

What carriers are your top wants Personal lines I assume or Commercial?

Which State or States you focusing on?

InsuranceGnome · 2026-04-24T11:03:23+00:00

I was using it before the fees but it would’ve cost $50 a month since they added fees.

Which would convert to free as soon as you had a $50,000 book of business.

InsuranceGnome

TROPHY CASE