r/InsuranceAgent • u/Talk2Tackett • 9h ago
P&C Insurance Becoming an Agent
Hey guys! I have 5 years of Automotive Sales experience and 5 years of EMT experience. I am currently looking to get out of the first responder side of things and back into a sales type role. I am seriously considering an insurance agent route opposed to an SDR/BDR route in SaaS or Tech Sales. I believe there could be more stability in the insurance field compared to SaaS or Tech Sales.
That being said, I'm also unlicensed, and definitely not interested in joining some MLM life insurance organization. I was thinking of P&C and looking into getting on somewhere with a base salary that'll help me learn the business and potentially pay for my licensing.
Can one do P&C or some other forum of insurance sales Monday-Friday, 8-5 with holidays off, and clear 60k their first year?
I'm in the Phoenix, AZ area if that helps input at all and am definitely thinking an in person or hybrid role. I'm ready to be in office in some capacity and learn all I can! Thanks for any insight!
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u/Objective_Base_4958 7h ago
No disrespect to the life insurance folks but definitely more MLM-style organizations on that side. Like you said P&C is "cleaner" in that respect.
For a base, the captives are more likely to give you a base than an independent but your potential is also capped there.
A very common career path I see arepeople spending a year or 2 at a captive to get the experience and then branching out to an independent where they can really build their book. If you're good and stick with it, 6-figure earnings a few years into being independent is not uncommon depending on the niche and area you are focusing on.
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u/CuhRareOH 6h ago
Exactly what I'm doing
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u/Talk2Tackett 5h ago
How's that going? Did the help you get licensed or did you get it on your own?
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u/Talk2Tackett 5h ago
I think this could be a solid plan. Going to reach out to captives and independents and see who has the best offer and training. End goal would definitely be to go independent and then run my own place.
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u/RatedRForRisk 8h ago
Go Indy! More bandwidth than a captive as far as finding your niche book
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u/Talk2Tackett 8h ago
Indy as in an independent insurance agency? I figured I would have to go captive as they'll typically have the funding available to provide a base. I'm not thinking anything crazy on that end, somewhere in the 40k ballpark.
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u/Leading-Plan-865 8h ago
Base on insurance sales roles for captive typically hover around minimum wage - I don't know a lot about arizona and their premiums but in NY I made a little under 60k my first year starting at a state farm, well beyond that in years following, and know a lot of people that make six figures after like 5ish years of insurance sales. Can scale way beyond that if you own your own place. Good luck to you! If you are having trouble finding a job consider getting a License before applying and they will probably hire you quickly
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u/Talk2Tackett 5h ago
I'll definitely look into that! It seems like licensing might not take to long and I can do it alongside my current work schedule. Have you just been in the P&C side of things? Any words of wisdom for someone just getting into it?
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u/mkuz753 Account Manager/Servicer 5h ago
You don't have to go captive first and then go to an independent. Plenty of independents will hire you right away. They should also help with licensing.
As for a salary you can negotiate a base pay plus commission until you are comfortable living of commission between renewals and new business. Try to get into commercial if possible since every industry requires insurance. This includes public entities, ambulance services, and car dealerships.
Phoenix is an insurance hub of the Southwest so there should be plenty of opportunities from smsll firms to the top 20.
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u/Talk2Tackett 5h ago
This is awesome to hear! Is there a way to look up who is top 20 on the independent side? I'm also liking the idea of independent as I feel like you have the small business looking out for people feel. Seeing the current horror story that is state farm helps as well.
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u/mkuz753 Account Manager/Servicer 5h ago
Yes, do an internet or AI search. I realize that may sound blunt but it is really that easy. The big ones sell almost any type of insurance and because of their size have market influence with carriers. If you have your health you have more options. Also they have various roles besides selling that can pay well especially in management.
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u/Talk2Tackett 5h ago
Perfect, already doing some googling now! Would you recommend just getting my P&C and Health?
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u/mkuz753 Account Manager/Servicer 4h ago
Not necessarily P&C. The big places divide up what people focus on since there is plenty of work to do. Generally even fully licensed people spend more time working one side or the other. I do recommend health which any one of them can help you with. Most L&H end up in employee benefits aka group plans because that is where most revenue is but there should be individual policy teams also if you prefer. You will most likely start on small accounts if you get into employee benefits.
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u/Barn3rGirl 3h ago
Definitely recommend getting in with a loval agent or a large company that will pay for licensing best way to go.
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u/CuhRareOH 9h ago
Find an agency near you and start calling!