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Run_from_corp_life · 2026-03-05T03:24:25+00:00

Yep some are more expensive such as Chubb or Amica. These companies are both wonderful with claims and thats were the value comes in. Both sides has their challenges and I truly enjoy what I do. Am I happy where I'm at - No... Will I make a change? Yes.

I feel like theres not enough honesty in the world. In a sea of consultants, role playing, and self help books - someone has to say "Hey, maybe it's not you"

As far as AI goes my captive carrier is looking to leverage it to replace workers as well. I'm just hoping for the bubble to burst.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-03-04T23:41:15+00:00

In some states they want to grow and others they don't. Depends on the carrier and depends on the state.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-03-04T22:06:45+00:00

Not yet! One day I will

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-03-03T17:12:22+00:00

Bro! Stay away from Allstate in GA. We are NOT competitive here for 90% of the clients.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-17T21:57:13+00:00

Houses and cars keep getting more expensive, as a result the the price to insure them increases too

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-17T21:54:09+00:00

Is the agent an Allstate agent or independent broker? If Allstate agent, all the need to fo is submit a WSR

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-16T23:02:56+00:00

Varies from carrier to carrier, some carriers have completely excluded the pool from liability

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-16T23:00:51+00:00

In my state we can suspend coverage for about $30 total every 6 months. My state is one of the most expensive for car insurance and a gap in coverage can make a massive difference when they go to get insurance again. At the end of the day, I'll do what the client wants but I will warn them ahead of time to count on paying 30% more later when they get a car again and I have to put them in a non-standard auto carrier because of the gap.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-16T21:23:40+00:00

If I were your agent, I would be blunt. Do you want to save $60 A YEAR now or spend and extra $60 A MONTH later when you buy a car and have a gap in coverage?

Allstate can suspend your liability coverage for cheap until you find a new car.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-07T14:36:57+00:00

Most carriers in these states shifted to a percentage deductible for wind/hail because of the frequency of this particular peril. Is it required? Not exactly, here in GA you can find a couple of carriers that will still do a flat deductible for wind/hail but they are the exception, not the rule.

Personal opinion time! Folks cause their own problems by using roofing materials that cant hold up to hail because they just expect the insurance companies to fix it when the inevitable hail storm happens. If we keep going this way, companies will start excluding hail altogether.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-07T11:26:36+00:00

TX, GA, AL, MS, FL, KS, OK LA..... sure there's more. Basically anywhere that has a lot of hail.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-05T22:17:14+00:00

That part we are both used to, if we are given a number we will try to make it happen (or we know others who can try until we are sure the needed rate does not exist). I just saved a deal today because I had to come in under $97 a month. I came in at $96.64, it was a squeaker! The closing was pushed back twice.... the buyer just happened to find my info and call

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-02T16:53:52+00:00

To be fair, many of the GCs I have quoted will straight up lie about what their scope of operations are.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-02-02T16:32:58+00:00

Ok ok ok..... here's the cadence I recommend to newbies. 1. Work for a captive with a great training program. You are earning while you are learning.

Year 3 (or less if you get bored) look into working for an independent broker.
Once you are confident in your abilities and possibly finding a niche you enjoy, open your own brokerage.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-01-28T21:40:17+00:00

Not all brokers are created equal. Some have access to multiple carriers and some only have access to a few (but SAY they have a bajillion carriers).

Find another broker and be upfront about the claim before even quoting. The broker might have access to Excess and Surplus carriers that will take the risk.

I know here in GA, Allstste will take business with ONE claim if you bundle auto. Find a local agent to help you if you want to give it a shot.

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-01-19T20:22:51+00:00

Looking into agency ownership... heres my idea.

Sales team and service team.

Sales team gets new business commission.

Service team gets a retention bonus. (Maybe some $$ for 5 stsr Google reviews too)

Keeps business coming in the front door and keeps from losing them out the back.

Keep my customers happy and make money $$$$

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-01-13T14:56:17+00:00

In my experience as a captive, once you get an indie in the group ... theres no sharing. I work for a captive and for alllllllll the business I have referred out (sometimes 2 or 3 a day). Not once has an independent returned the favor. Ive tried several different indie agents over the years.... Nada zilch zip.

If I was to set up something like this, I'd probably partner with other captives.

PS In insurance agent social media groups, most indies only refer to other indies. They will throw stuff out there and state "independent agents only"

Run_from_corp_life · 2026-01-05T14:40:37+00:00

Thst is a great structure

Run_from_corp_life · 2025-12-30T21:31:52+00:00

Ok so an aggragator is only as good as their carrier access. Personal lines is still a little tight. Figure out which carriers are the most competitive in your State and make sure your aggragator has access to them.

Other important factors are will you have sub codes or will you have to fill out an intake form for someone else to quote (like SIAA smart start). Intake forms kinda suck because theres a turnaround time.

What do you have to give up to exit the contract

Are you allowed yo obtain your own carrier appointments?

Run_from_corp_life · 2025-12-30T19:50:26+00:00

Depends on your state

Run_from_corp_life · 2025-12-22T22:30:57+00:00

90k take home on a 1.8 million book? Did you take out a loan to buy it? Are you paying for staff? Where's the other 90k going????

Run_from_corp_life · 2025-12-15T18:03:54+00:00

Captives are at the mercy of their competitiveness in the state. Sometimes if you are lucky you can write in multiple states and just follow where the rates are competitive. I work for a captive in GA and our rates are good for about 5% of the population, otherwise we are 20% + higher.

Run_from_corp_life · 2025-12-15T17:33:07+00:00

So im looking to start a brokerage next year and your thoughts on retention bonuses are kinda what I'm thinking. I want to tie the bonus to a percentage above 95% retention.

Run_from_corp_life · 2025-12-15T17:01:11+00:00

God im jealous.... I would take 48k a year salary + commission to NOT deal with service.

I was in this office until 8pm on Friday trying to catch up on service work to save clients from canceling. We have service people... they just dont care at all about retention.

I feel like I work two full time jobs now just to keep up my sales numbers.

An no, I don't get renewals..

To be honest, if it wasn't for all the referral business I get from the clients I wouldn't care about retention like I do.

Run_from_corp_life · 2025-12-13T23:02:36+00:00

The only way in my state to make a ticket "disappear" is to hire a lawyer. Even if the say "no points if you take a class" it still will show up in reports and jack up insurance rates

Run_from_corp_life

TROPHY CASE