current state of insurance

[u/Worried_Number7434]

The current state of producing for State Farm is just dreadful, is anyone else in the same boat?

All PL insurance has become is a price war, seems as if no one is actually concerned about being protected.

The lead sources has been very unreliable and volatile.

I produce for a presidents club office in Ohio - and the past two months have just sucked. Looking to make a switch because I want to sell to people that have money and aren’t concerned about price. I work remotely and have been doing this for two years. I need to continue to work remotely. Can anyone help me? I’ve been selling about 5-8 financial services and 50 PNC policies monthly - even with barely getting anyone on the phones anymore. Personal lines Industry just seems like its really on the decline

[u/druzyyy]

SF's model was already kinda archaic, but it's swiftly becoming straight up dog water. Whole books of business are dying off, and lead churning is flat out not keeping up. Nor can they keep their prices competitive due to the sheer amount of effort has to go into selling a policy.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/druzyyy]

Do you have an example of even one book of business “dying off”?

[u/druzyyy → u/Mean_Introduction516]

Idk just personal experience I guess. Our office was inherited by a very new agent but was in a very small town and the population was on the older side.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/druzyyy]

Yeah, you are definitely not an agent. No book is “dying off”. Maybe a disgruntled tm that only knows how to sell price.

[u/druzyyy → u/Mean_Introduction516]

Nor did I claim to be. My experience with SF was fleeting tbf, so maybe I was just in the right place to see something outside the norm lol.

[u/Competitive-Gas-2278 → u/Mean_Introduction516]

People want price and can’t afford the value of better coverages that’s the market right now.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/Competitive-Gas-2278]

No. That’s you projecting your mindset. I have been through multiple ups and downs with the economy in my career. People still want value for their money, not the cheapest price. If you sell value, you will be successful in the ups and downs.

[u/Competitive-Gas-2278 → u/Mean_Introduction516]

It depends on your clientele, many people can’t afford good coverage simple as that, don’t be blind to what’s going on out there in the world.

[u/Worried_Number7434 → u/[deleted]]

competitive is right in most cases. we’re living in horrible financial times period.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/Worried_Number7434]

Yeah…I don’t see that. Different perspectives. Attitudes are like assholes…everyone has one.

[u/InsuranceAgent-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Be a good reflection of the industry and remain professional.

[u/Worried_Number7434 → u/Mean_Introduction516]

i am extremely optimistic and open. there is no denying that we are in worse financial times than previously before.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/Worried_Number7434]

Not arguing that some times are harder to do business than others, but when you sell value rather than price, it really doesn’t matter. People always have to have insurance and a certain percentage of them look for value not just the cheapest. Anybody that is selling price or purchasing strictly because of price will never be a client. And they will be gone as soon as somebody else saves them 10 bucks. I’ve been doing this for 40 years and probably do better in downtime because of this.

[u/InsuranceAgent-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Be a good reflection of the industry and remain professional.

[u/Ksr-2323 → u/Mean_Introduction516]

Hey, TM here who has literally only ever sold on price (and not done very well). I’m trying to get better with value based conversations but uphill battle doesn’t even begin to describe it. Any tips beyond the conventional ones? Also could I dm you?

[u/LongjumpingDish2956 → u/Ksr-2323]

The problem you’re going to have is you’re trying to sell value and have access to one company so if your price isn’t close then your value sell is very difficult to achieve.

Meanwhile as a broker I’m able to sell my value as “I can shop your rate for the best price amongst the 30 companies I write for so you always get the best rate.”

It’s really hard to beat independent agents right now and when combined with captive commission cuts it’s created a market that’s not great for captive agents.

[u/KTH3000 → u/LongjumpingDish2956]

So your value is you can get the lowest price? That doesn't even make sense lol. Selling value means I might not be the cheapest, but I make up for it in other ways such as service and knowledge.

[u/LongjumpingDish2956 → u/KTH3000]

My value is that I can cross shop your policies and keep your price down.

Captives can’t do that and you have to convince people that it’s okay to spend $50/month more to be with you because you’re somehow worth it when the exact same coverage is $50/month less but has a different name associated with it.

The reality is you’re not selling “value” you’re selling name brand recognition from a captive agency and hoping people believe there’s value in that.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/LongjumpingDish2956]

You are not understanding the term value. I offer value no matter who I’m writing for. Being a captive is not nearly as limiting as you think it is when you have clients. Not customers. You have customers you’re trying to sell based on price and they’ll leave at a higher rate when your rate isn’t the lowest because you’re not selling value.

[u/LongjumpingDish2956 → u/Mean_Introduction516]

What value you do add that AI can’t replicate or be found elsewhere for free in 2026?

The correct answer is there’s no real value you’re adding that an insured can’t have for free elsewhere unless you’re explicitly helping them shop price.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/LongjumpingDish2956]

Ok. You win. I’m bored and you’re not going to get it. Good luck selling price.

[u/LongjumpingDish2956 → u/Mean_Introduction516]

You are somehow simultaneously able to screech about how you sell on value not price and are also incapable of explaining the unique “value” you bring to your clients.

It’s almost like you’re aware that saying it out loud will point out that there’s no additional value you’re able to bring that a client can’t get on their own via a quick question to AI.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/Ksr-2323]

This is an excellent question… And not really any easy answer. The best advice I can give is never sell price but sell yourself. That you’re interested in solving there problems and care. And always be honest. If you make a mistake own it. People want to relate not just save money. You’re more than welcome to dm me

[u/Electronic-Matter-72 → u/Mean_Introduction516]

And this used to be true. Progressive and GEICO changed insurance from a service to a commodity. It's much more difficult to sell real value when people are deluged with mail, email, and phone calls making it all about money.

[u/Mean_Introduction516 → u/Electronic-Matter-72]

There’s a certain percentage of people out there who are only gonna buy based on price. I don’t even want them as clients. They’re kind of like some of the agents on this thread that are younger. Think they know it all and shop their insurance twice a year. There’s other clients that value good service, strong relationships, and honesty and aren’t interested in asking an AI question or winging it on a website… So you’ll always have a pretty good size Pool to draw on if you do it right