Making a Career Change??? (Ins. Agent?)

jcc911 · 01-11-2006, 05:40 AM

Due to my recent job loss, I have been considering a career change. As of yesterday I have been toying with becoming licensed to sell the various types of insurance and opening up an agency.
I know the world probably does not need another ins. agent, but for some reason this opportunity has really appealed to me (and because I do not have the liquid assets required to open a Taco-Bell in a town that is desperately in need of one).

Are any of guys an insurance agent and have an agency? If so, any thoughts or words of wisdom you would like to share (both pros and cons please).

Thanks Again for the support,
Jeremy

Dantilla · 01-11-2006, 08:23 AM

My father-in-law, brother-in-law and a good friend are all in the insurance business.

Difficult to get established. Once established, there is plenty of money to be made.

vash · vash's Garage

sorry, but no town really needs a taco hell.

good luck on your new venture.

Billbo · 01-11-2006, 09:17 AM

Dantilla has it right. Been in it for 20 years. Comfortable but by no means getting rich.

jcc911 · 01-11-2006, 03:42 PM

Vash, it is not about the food... its all dollars and cents. TB is very profitable.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Insurance sales is extremely difficult to start from scratch. The serious commission money is in high-pressure hard-to-sell life policies (is that something you want to do?). The landscape is changing as well with all sorts of online insurance companies popping up (i.e. www.esurance.com get a quote, lock it in and print out a certificate in minutes). The only way to do it, IMO, is to buy a 'book of business' from a retiring agent so you've got some sort of baseline to build off of.

David · David's Garage

My uncle left pharmacutical sales over 20 years ago because of all the BS with doctors (no offense to one's here, I'm sure you don't ask for expensive gifts with every visit). He said it's the best decision he's ever made. He's lucky that his area (Mansfield, TX) has seen a lot of growth so his business has grown steadily, something to consider when choosing a location.

Joeaksa · 01-12-2006, 08:17 AM

I changed career's at age 28. Was a long haul but finally took off. If you can find someone to get under their wing and work under until you learn the ropes and get some contacts, that is a big deal. Doing it alone is difficult...

JoeA

jcc911 · 01-12-2006, 09:18 AM

Thanks All,
I agree with what most of you are saying. The person I talked too mentioned opening a scratch agency, but I am really nervous about doing so. I have mentioned my apprehensions about doing this and also mentioned that I would rather slide in where one is retiring.
Thanks Again.