What kind of operating budget should I expect? I am still trying to work through all of the numbers with State Farm. It looks like I will have a staff of 3-4 people. I'm not sure if all will be sales and service people or if I will have a dedicated service person and dedictated sales people. Either ...

Thanks for the advise guys. Cross selling is definitely a crucial marketing strategy. I am still wondering how much I can rely on the brand recognition, and if I need to invest heavily into purchasing leads and advertising, until I start seeing results from word of mouth and relationship building .

Hi everybody! I am looking for some information. I am looking to open up a State Farm agency sometime in the near future and am looking for some information from any State Farm agents or anyone that knows of the State Farm process. I have been given approval by State Farm for the agency program. I a...

sanddog---It's not just with Allied. It's through Nationwide, and using Nationwide's entire portfolio, which includes Allied (in some cases). Nationwide owns Insurance Intermediaries Inc. brokerage and carrier network, but Nationwide still has the right of first refusal. Also, I would have 2-3 sales...

sundance---Thanks for the feedback. It seems with NW the magic # to shoot for is $1.2mil book at the end of the third year. From your experience or anyone else out there, with everything that NW provides for their new agents, how difficult is it to achieve that #? Is that a reasonable #? Keep in min...

I have never done insurance sales in the past. How difficult is to sell $400,000 worth of premiums per year with an additional 1 or 2 people on my sales force? I live in Ohio where the average auto premium is around $800/yr and home is around $600

sanddog--Thanks, that is the direction I am leaning towards. I've met with the district manager several times, and it looks like the ball is my court right now.

It's a YES to all of those. However, I still have to believe that it would take significantly longer to build up my agency, than if I had the support from a big name insurance. Joe Agent---I am not sure if you are independant or not, but if you are, what would be the most effective way for me to att...

The broker will give minimum guidance. The split would be 95/5. Basically I would pay him 5% for the use of the contracts.

Joe Agent---It seems like no one wants to give a loan to finance an insurance agency. So I would be starting out of a home office. I feel like I have enough funds for marketing and advertising, but would not be able to afford a lease starting out. So how do I compete with a captive agent who is star...

I need some advise. I am looking to start a scratch agency and have been approved to do it w/both Allstate and Nationwide. Also have opportunity on the independant side. I am leaning towards Nationwide. They seem to offer better financing options and part or all of the loan could be waived based on ...

I've checked w/the Ohio PIA and the Ohio Big "I". There aren't any postings there. Does anyone know any other places I can search?

Hi everyone. I need some advise. I am located in Columbus, OH and am looking to get into the insurance business. I have a strong financial and sales background as well as capital to invest. I have been offered by Allstate and Nationwide to start an agency from scratch. Also, I have some independent ...