Best way to become a Property and Casulaty Insurance Agent?

I am currently in advertising but have an insurance degree from College. I have seen much success in my sales career and think if I had success in one area of sales I should have success in another.

I had thought that I would want to work for an independant agency but none in my area are hiring right now. I received an offer from a big box company ie state farm, farmers, allstate etc

Should I start there? Is this a good idea?

Well, they give you support, that's for sure, but you ALSO have office expenses.

I don't understand why an independent won't take you on - it's a straight commission sales job, and they'd keep half your commission. Or are you looking for a SALARY? No one is going to hire you at a salary, unless you want to be a customer service rep.

If an independant agency is not hiring in your area, I would suggest you go ahead and take a job in a captive agency (big box). This gives you the practical experience that any future employer will be looking for. Unfortunately, a degree does not necessarily prepare you for the job. My bias is in independant agencies, I own one. I would, however, hire a person that has experience, even in a captive agency, over someone with a degree but no practical experience. Good Luck!!!!

I know some agents that started off working FOR State Farm and then became an AGENT for State Farm.

With your degree in Insurance, yo might find that would be the right fit for you....at least get your feet wet. You might also reach out to some of the larger brokerages that would take you in and hire you as an in-house producer/CSR.

The insurance market place is so SOFT right now, I'd sure hate to be starting one from scratch!

Good luck and I hope this helps!

The big companies are good because they will most likely offer great training programs. It is a difficult industry to understand, especially if you will be selling commercial insurance, so training would be valuable. I know because I haven't had the greatest training resources and have really had to find my way around and learn it myself. It would be nice to find an independent agency that had a good training program and didn't take the majority of your commission (like a big company probably would), but if that's not an option where you live, maybe the big company is a good way to ease into it.

Jared Balis
http://www.utahinsurance.org
http://www.myinsurancequotes.net