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I have been in the collection industry for the past five years and have even had my own collection agency which I sold for a profit after being in business for only 7 months. Since then I decided to get out of the collection industry. I just recently obtained my P & C license and moved to Houston, TX. I have been having the hardest time finding a company to hire me without experience even though I have my license. It seems that the companies I apply to are telling me that I need experience or a college degree. I am wondering how anyone without a degree gets into the industry and gets experience. Can anyone give me some helpful information that can help me get my foot in the door in the insurance industry? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Have you tried SAFECO? They have appointed start up agents in the past.....

I am not interested in starting an agency through safeco or farmers, I am looking to get a job in the industry.

It is going to depend on what you want to do (commercial or personal insurance and sales or service). You will need to find a local broker that is willing to train you in whatever area you are interested in. You should plan on starting at the bottom and spending a lot of time studying the insurance basics. This is not an easy profession to get into. The industry as a whole does a poor job of training. If you are looking to work with a carrier you will find it difficult without a college degree.
Good Luck. Alan.

I have an extensive sales background and eventually would like to be a producer, but I would like to get my foot in the door anywhere I can. At this point, it doesnt matter whether it is personal lines or commercial lines as long as I can get a job. I would prefer commercial lines if I had the choice, but so far I have had no luck in finding a job any either. I checked out Safeco and they currently have no openings in Houston, only Richardson, San Antonio & Auston, TX.

It is tough, it appears you are looking for a salaried position. Try an agency who will give you a chance on commission only. Again it is tough, but most of us did it that way. You also give the impression you are not sure of your direction.

If you're really interested in getting into this business your best bet is to look for a CSR position in an agency. Pay won't be great but if they train you it's worth it. I would also suggest you look into CISR classes (usually given by the Big I or PIA) to further your education. Having a license is only the beginning of your education in this industry. My experience as an agency owner has been that the most dangerous person is a newly licensed commercial producer with no experience. Start with personal lines and learn everything you can.

They treat a 4 year degree as a minimum requirement, despite the fact that you'll be retrained as soon as you start at the company. Its such a waste. You probably will find it very hard to get into the company side of things without your bachelors degree or experience in the industry. OR friends.

Since you're in Houston, take a look at Aon. They have a number of positions that you would be eligible for. Aon does provide training, but also would expect you to be proactive in learning as much as you can.

As a new P/C agent coming from Life & Health, my question to you is how bad do you want it No doubt that experience is needed in this industry - it's a must! Coming from a person without a degree who broke into the market without a mentor, it can be done but it will take time and training that you will have to invest in out of your own pocket.

If you are indeed looking for a job with a company or agency, you will have to educate yourself to make yourself more marketable for any potential employer or agency looking for people and in the process, you will slowly gain the experience. Here are three tips from me on how I got started: First network with other P/C agents, you'll find that there are lots of us who love to share our knowledge with new agents to help them get started. Second, subscribe to publications like Insurance Journal to stay up to date on news, events and subjects relevant to the industry. Third, Check out your local insurance organizations like Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT.org) for instance. They offer a three week course called the "Producer Development Program" that does focus on the Commerical side that might be perfect for you. Then check out your local organization for monthly meetings and workshops they might hold that could help you....not to mention you might meet someone who is looking for someone like you!

...Oh and one last tip, if you are a minority and plan to run your own agency/business, get your minority certification to give yourself an added advantage of capturing a new client!

Good Luck on your future endeavors!

I think that the death penalty should apply to newsgroup and forum spammers....

what minority certification? What is that? Do you mean register with a minority association?

f2c

pbranson1980 wrote:I have an extensive sales background and eventually would like to be a producer, but I would like to get my foot in the door anywhere I can. At this point, it doesnt matter whether it is personal lines or commercial lines as long as I can get a job. I would prefer commercial lines if I had the choice, but so far I have had no luck in finding a job any either. I checked out Safeco and they currently have no openings in Houston, only Richardson, San Antonio & Auston, TX.

Since you say you eventually would like to be a producer but want to get a foot in the door anywhere, look at the company side in the call center, underwriting, claims. You won't make a lot of money at first, but it'll get you in to the company side and let you see what the business is really all about. If you have an understanding of claims and u/w, you'll be better equipped to handle your accounts once you do become an agent. Good luck.

Please don't put farmers in the same market segment as Safeco of America. Safeco is ten times the company and there isn't a farmers agent in the country that could obtain appointment. If want to be a CSR, thats great and you will learn ton's. They worth there weight in gold. If your selling, work for a Broker with a book buy back agreement.

You mite want to check into working for a PEO.

Just Kidding Sanddog1