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Your favorite uncle calls you from the other side of the country, from a state you are not licensed in. He asks how he should pick a new insurance agent for his small business. What do you tell him?

Actually it was my sister from CA. Sent her to one of my referals thru the WIAA - he was in her backyard and I know him from assn meetings. We get a lot of calls from people in other states or those that need coverage specifically in other states and over the years I've found the best referrals come from the agent associations. THe PIA, WIAA, Big I, etc are better than referring them to carriers or the yellow pages. In some instances I have called the assn myself on behalf of a client that was moving to another state and gotten them a couple of referrals. I've also been the recipient of such referrals.

Cathiea is right. I too have had a relative, most recently a brother living in So. Cal. want to start a group medical plan.

I have an acquaintance that was formerly in Portland, Or. now in Long Beach. Her business focus is strictly Group Medical Plans in CA. I double checked that she was still in business, a member of NAIFA & NAHU and finally was willing to handle the case. Slam dunk for her. She does a great job!

Swymmer

You could just pay the $50.00 or what ever a non-residence license cost in that state and write the policy yourself.

I was trying for something else...

As insurance experts, what do you think is the the best process for a business owner looking to find an exceptional agent?

While we are at it, what are the qualities of an exceptional agent - from the client's perspective?

I'd also get the non-resident license

Porter wrote:You could just pay the $50.00 or what ever a non-residence license cost in that state and write the policy yourself.

I have an equally inquisitive question? What makes a good client from an agents perspective?

I would put honesty at the top of the list.

Your one thread that pointed to dishonest agents begs for the opposite response. There is an ever growing fraud being committed by the people that purchase insurance policies. What do you do, as you review your client's policy and see they are committing fraud?

scott wrote:I was trying for something else...

As insurance experts, what do you think is the the best process for a business owner looking to find an exceptional agent?

While we are at it, what are the qualities of an exceptional agent - from the client's perspective?

Yes, you could write the business if you obtained the required non-resident license, complied with changing your E & O coverages, complied with the new state CE requirements, obtained competitive markets in the new area(s)

OR

as Cathyie stated, refer it to a competent producer known through independent agent associations.

Again, non-resident licenses change many things... For one risk, think again.

Oops forgot this is a P&C site. I was talking about doing a life or annuity app here and there. As we all know the risk of E&O exposure is much, much less on a life app. The company does the APS / part 2 medical, etc. Then if there is a claim well...not much service is needed after that one.

I live 15 minutes from the adjoining State and that adjoining State is reciprocal with any CE requirements in my State. There are a lot of agent living on both sides of the line that are licensed in both States.

mhutch69 wrote:Yes, you could write the business if you obtained the required non-resident license, complied with changing your E & O coverages, complied with the new state CE requirements, obtained competitive markets in the new area(s)

OR

as Cathyie stated, refer it to a competent producer known through independent agent associations.

Again, non-resident licenses change many things... For one risk, think again.

P&C is the same. It is a piece of cake. I have a company that does all the paperwork for like $8.00 per state. Most companies will give you access to the additional state w/o problem.

etimer wrote: I live 15 minutes from the adjoining State and that adjoining State is reciprocal with any CE requirements in my State. There are a lot of agent living on both sides of the line that are licensed in both States.

Two years ago I went on a company sponsored vacation in Florida... And the top selling agency with this company in the state of Illinois was actually in Missouri!!!

I would advise that any other type of local professional recommendation such as a referral from the business' CPA or attorney would be a good place to start. Unless, of course, I had an existing relationship with an insurance agent that was already licensed in that particular state.

Just to throw a twist into Scott's Question...

Are any of the "Controlled Business" laws still in effect? When I studied for my Life / Health / Property / Casualty licenses back in the late 70's it was against the law to secure a resident or non-resident license for the purpose of selling insurance to relatives. I think there was a % of business written in the state that must be to non-relatives or you're in violation, subject to fines and revocation...

This may all be a thing of the past... What do you other bloggers think?

Swymmer

I would pick up the phone and call a few of the top agencies in his area and ask a few questions. I would help him find the agency and agent that is best suited for a small contractor.