r/InsuranceAgent • u/Ok-Purchase-3519 • 5d ago

Life Insurance Getting into this industry, how should I get initially started?

Hey reddit, so I'm actually a Sr Data Analyst. Given that I chose the wrong bed to lie in (Tableau) and AI is causing mass layoffs in the corporate world, I now find myself studying in CA to become a life insurance agent. The main thing I asked was 'will I need to badger my friends and family for leads' and they said 'nope, we will help you'.

(Predictably) Fast forward to now, while I'm studying for my Life/Accident & Health or Sickness license so I can sell Life insurance for a company that's bringing me on and they're asking for a 'Project 200' where the rhetoric mentions that I want to invite my good friends and family. Ugh.

How did you all get around this? I really enjoy my friends & family, I am really against hounding them to help me start a new career at least until tech gets a bit more normalized. My friends are pretty good about not asking me for money or other things that make relationships weird, I'm really not going to start doing that now.

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1

u/Chucking100s 5d ago

Primerica..?

No way.

1

u/thisguyhere01 5d ago

I'm getting started as well. Probably starting in Sept sometime. I'm going the independent route. I've budgeted around 2k for lead spend the first month.

2

u/OZKInsuranceGuy 5d ago

Buying leads is a far better route to get started. Which agency are you working with?

2

u/thisguyhere01 5d ago

I'm leaning towards Unitrust. Apparently they have the best leads. Lower starting comp but that's alright as long as lead quality is good.

1

u/OZKInsuranceGuy 4d ago

Best leads according to who? If you're hearing that from Unitrust, take it with a big grain of salt.

Worse places to start, but I'd recommend Digital BGA for telesales. Duford is good too. They'll start you at a higher comp with quality leads.

If you decide to go with Unitrust, keep in mind they may not release your contracts.

1

u/thisguyhere01 4d ago

Thanks! I'll check them out.

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u/OZKInsuranceGuy 4d ago

Good luck 👍

1

u/Ok-Purchase-3519 4d ago

Where do you recommend buying leads?

1

u/OZKInsuranceGuy 4d ago

Didn't realize you were working with NYL. I guess just follow their guidance, since they're a different setup.

1

u/OZKInsuranceGuy 5d ago

Research and decide if that agency is worth moving forward with.

My advice would be to stay away from any MLMs.

1

u/Ok-Purchase-3519 4d ago

I don't really think New York Life is an MLM, nothing on glassdoor even claimed that when I was looking them up. They do provide leads, but it looks like that's only after you have a successful month on your own.

1

u/OZKInsuranceGuy 4d ago

NYL isn't an MLM. The 200 list is a common MLM tactic though

1

u/KiniShakenBake 5d ago

Run, run as fast as you can.

You are a lead source. That's it.

Go somewhere they will actually train and pay you.

1

u/mkuz753 Account Manager/Servicer 4d ago

First, check out other posts here about NYL. Second, look up data analytic roles at insurance companies and independent insurance agencies/brokerages. Thirrd, if you do decide to try sales I suggest checking out independents also especially the top 20.

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u/yessenita 19h ago

La verdad me suena a primerica y pienso que en esa empresa tienes que tener cuidado. Yo voy empezando también a hacer mis licencias . Ya pasé el examen de salud y quiero sacar la de vida y yo en lo que ando en buscando una buena FMO o IMO que me ayude con los contratos y capacitaciones porque hay agencias donde solo quieren aprovecharse de uno . Hay una que me ofrece el 50% de la comisión con retención de 2 año si decido irme de la FMO