Captive agents may show the prices offered by competitors, but they will not be able to offer and sell those policies. While independent agents can offer their clients policy options from a variety of different insurers, they may not be considered completely objective. Because the insurance companies pay a commission to the insurance agent when a new policy is sold, the agent may push clients to select policies that provide the agent with a higher commission rate. Because independent agents are not fully supported by a single insurance company, they are often responsible for generating their own business. They may have to produce their own marketing material and manage their own operations, though they do benefit from the general advertising and marketing done by specific insurance companies; however, if the independent agent does not sell the policies offered by an insurance company that is conducting a large branding advertising campaign, the benefit will be limited.
Working with an insurance agency like The Allen Thomas Group provides many benefits, including personalized service, expert advice, and the ability to compare multiple insurance options. One benefit of working with an insurance agency is receiving personalized service. An agent can take the time to understand your unique needs and recommend coverage options that fit your specific situation. The Allen Thomas Group . This level of attention to detail isn't possible when purchasing insurance online. Another advantage is having access to expert advice. Insurance agents are trained professionals who can answer any questions you may have about coverage, claims, and policy changes. They can also offer guidance on risk management strategies for your personal or business needs. Lastly, working with an insurance agency allows you to compare multiple options in one place.
Startup insurance agencies that want to expand into life and property/casualty insurance may find having dual licenses beneficial in generating additional commission revenues up front. Even if your focus lies with property/casualty insurance, becoming licensed for life/health insurance could open the doors to commission sharing when referring business to life/health agents. As for cost, taking courses to earn your licenses aren't expensive at all! However, startup expenses include building an attractive website and purchasing technology tools such as computers. Your business plan should outline at least $5,000 as a minimum initial savings goal. Estimate the potential revenue from policies you need to sell to reach a breakeven point; factor in living expenses as a consideration as well. Have a wide network of business and social acquaintances in your community?
Most insurers pay commissions based on when customers pay their premiums; businesses and personal lines customers often make payments monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Since premium payments may differ depending on customer circumstances, estimating commission revenue for an agency that is just starting up can be challenging. Good news is that property/casualty commissions will continue as long as a customer renews their coverage. With regard to individual life and disability policies, insurance companies usually pay larger commissions during the initial year before decreasing them gradually in subsequent years. Maintaining strong customer relationships is key for continued sales, referrals from your customers' friends and relatives, and the possibility of selling additional policies like home and car insurance to your life and health insurance customers.
Captive brokerages are affiliated with specific insurance companies and have contracts with specific providers to sell only their products. An example of an independent agent would be an insurance agent that has a client looking for a life insurance policy. The agent would be able to contract with many providers, such as Northwestern, Mass Mutual, and Prudential to find the best life insurance policy for the customer. The main advantage of using an independent insurance agent is that you are given more options because the agent contracts with many insurance companies, not just one. Having more options means you can find policies better suited to your needs as well as lower premiums since you have many choices while shopping around. The opposite of an independent insurance agent is a captive insurance agent.
We take the time to understand your unique needs and circumstances, ensuring that the insurance solutions we provide are tailored to your life, your assets, and your aspirations. Our expertise, independence, and commitment to your well-being set us apart in the world of insurance. So, why choose The Allen Thomas Group Independent Insurance Agency? Because when you choose us, you choose more than just policies; you choose a future filled with security, confidence, and peace of mind. Get started today and let us be your beacon in the world of insurance. Your peace of mind is our mission. Contact us now and unlock the peace of mind you deserve with The Allen Thomas Group – Your Trusted Independent Insurance Agency.
Choosing the right insurance policy is similar to building a customized vehicle - it involves making choices about which features and components will best suit your individual needs and preferences. Just as two people might choose different car models based on their commuting habits, personality traits, and overall lifestyle needs, two people might also select different policies based on their unique circumstances. When it comes to insurance policies, there are numerous options available depending on your needs. Understanding the different types of insurance coverage can help you make an informed decision when selecting an insurance agency. Broadly speaking, there are four main types of insurance coverage: life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, and property insurance.
That is why offering them choices is essential - one size doesn't fit all. Your independent agency must enter into contracts with each insurance company it represents, detailing their respective duties. Exclusive agent companies also contract with independent agents. Not always was this the case, but over time many exclusive companies have recognized the close relationships independent insurance agents enjoy with their clients. Can people purchase insurance directly over the internet? Absolutely! But many aspects of insurance policies remain obscure to most.
Customer service representatives should be knowledgeable, efficient, and helpful when answering your questions or assisting with claims. You can test customer service by calling the insurance agency and asking general questions. If it is tedious to get a representative on the line, or they seem uninformed, it might not be the best company. Finding the right insurance agency for your needs takes time and effort, but it's worth it. By evaluating an insurance agency's reputation and stability through assessing customer reviews, financial strength rating, and service quality, you can be confident in making a wise investment choice. Remember to do your research and choose an agency that aligns with your values, budget, and coverage requirements. While purchasing insurance online may seem like a convenient option, it can often lead to confusion and miscommunication.
Home Insurance: Safeguarding Your Haven Your home is more than just a place; it's where your heart resides. Protecting it is paramount, and The Allen Thomas Group is here to provide the security you deserve through our home insurance solutions: 1. Comprehensive Home Coverage Our home insurance policies cover not only the structure of your home but also your personal belongings. Whether it's damage from natural disasters, theft, or liability coverage, we've got you covered. 2. Customizable Policies We understand that every home is unique, and so are your insurance needs. Our agents work closely with you to create a policy that safeguards your specific circumstances. From condos to single-family homes, we tailor our coverage to fit your requirements. 3. Cost-Efficiency Home insurance doesn't have to break the bank. The Allen Thomas Group is committed to finding you affordable home insurance options while maintaining comprehensive coverage. Your peace of mind should be accessible. 4. Protecting Your Investment Your home is likely one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Our home insurance policies ensure that your investment is safeguarded against unforeseen events, giving you the financial security you need.
Business Insurance: Nurturing Your Enterprise Running a business comes with its own set of risks, but with The Allen Thomas Group's business insurance, you can focus on growth while we handle the protection of your livelihood: 1. Tailored Business Coverage From small startups to established corporations, our business insurance solutions are customized to meet the unique needs of your enterprise. We provide coverage against a range of risks, including property damage, liability, and more. 2. Risk Mitigation Minimizing risks is vital for business sustainability. Our insurance experts analyze your operations and industry to identify potential risks, allowing us to implement strategies that protect your business. 3. Competitive Pricing We understand that businesses need cost-effective solutions. The Allen Thomas Group ensures that you get the coverage you need at a price that aligns with your budget, helping your business thrive. 4. Business Continuity In the face of unexpected disruptions, our business insurance policies provide a safety net that ensures your operations can continue running smoothly. Don't let unforeseen events jeopardize your business's future.
Aside from offering personalized customer service and their knowledge of companies and policies to guide them in the right direction. Most independent insurance agents work solely on commission, earning a percentage of your premium amount as payment. Therefore, it is in their best interests to ensure their clients remain happy. Independent insurance agencies can work with all sorts of companies, from smaller insurers to major entities like The Allen Thomas Group.
Founded in 2003, The Allen Thomas Group has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Our insurance team is composed of agents and skilleddata analysts. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you. You have insurance questions. ATG has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your risk management for over two decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Secure your home and possessions against unexpected incidents with tailored homeowners insurance coverage that's tailored specifically for you. Your independent insurance agent can also offer options from other companies, including business insurance, commercial property insurance, life and health insurance policies as well as umbrella, classic car and more. Be it starting a business, expanding your family or increasing financial assets - your agent will always have suitable insurance solutions available that meet the changing demands of life.
Life insurance is designed to provide financial support for your loved ones in case of your unexpected death. There are two main types of life insurance policies: term and permanent. Term life insurance covers you for a set period, such as 10 or 20 years, while permanent life insurance covers you for your entire lifetime. Permanent policies also come with a savings component that accrues cash value over time. Auto insurance is mandatory in most states to cover damages resulting from accidents involving your vehicle. Auto policies can include liability coverage that pays for injuries or damage caused by your car to others; collision coverage that covers damages to your own car; and comprehensive coverage that covers damages to your car from anything other than collisions including theft, storms, and natural disasters.
An independent agent may be contrasted with a captive agent, who can only sell the products of the company they work for. Independent insurance agents, like independent financial advisors, are thought to be able to provide their clients with a wider array of options when it comes to insurance products. They take into account the different coverage needs of the client and select a policy that provides the necessary coverage at a reasonable price. An insurance agent that sells policies offered exclusively by a single insurance company is referred to as a captive agent. While the policies offered by a captive agent may be less expensive than those offered by an independent agent, it will be difficult for the client to know whether they are getting the best deal if only one option is made available.
The Big “I" is a national trade insurance federation. It consists of more than 50 independent state associations as well as the national association. Its mission is to provide support for independent agents and brokers by offering membership benefits and resources such educational tools, informative publications, networking and more. These associations also serve as advocates for independent insurance agents by working with insurance companies, state insurance departments, the federal government and other stakeholders to maintain a stable and viable marketplace. Through the collective efforts of the Big “I," independent agencies are better equipped to thrive. When starting your own independent agency, there are many ways a membership with the Big “I" can help. Here are just a few benefits of a membership for a startup independent agency. Just as independent agents are an insurance customer's greatest ally in finding quality and affordable coverage, the Big “I" is an independent agency's greatest ally in running a knowledgeable, successful operation.
Insurance offers many career options. Do you enjoy being in charge, setting your own schedule, and having satisfying, well-paying work? If that appeals to you, consider opening your own independent insurance agency. Here's more info on starting an independent agency and why starting one may be right for you. Insurance agents come in two varieties; exclusive agents represent one insurance provider while independent ones can represent multiple policies. Independent insurance agencies operate independently from the companies they represent, giving them the freedom to offer policies from multiple carriers that meet customers' individual needs best. Marketing and sales are important, but an agency's ability to meet customers' changing requirements or address claims quickly is equally vital.
Whether you're an Akron native or a resident of any other state in the U.S., we're here to provide you with insurance solutions that make sense for your locale. FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered What is an independent insurance agency? An independent insurance agency is not tied to a single insurance provider. Instead, it has the flexibility to work with multiple insurance companies to find the best coverage options and rates for its clients. This independence ensures that the agency can act in the client's best interest rather than being limited to the offerings of one insurer.
A captive insurance agent works with only one insurance company and is responsible for selling its products. Independent agents help people find insurance policies, and because they don't work for one company but rather obtain policies from a variety of insurance providers, they can often find the best deal for customers. This stands in contrast to the brokers of specific insurance companies who need to sell their company's policies, which may not be the best fit for the customer. The best insurance agents combine the insurance world with your world. We work with more than 40,000 independent insurance agents and insurance brokers countrywide at thousands of different insurance agencies. So, you can be sure you'll find an independent insurance agent in your community who understands your needs and can get you the best policy and price available.
Independent Insurance Center, Inc. is the owner of any information collected via this Web site and thus responsible for its security. We do not sell, disseminate, disclose, trade, transmit, transfer, share, lease or rent your personally identifiable data to any unauthorized third parties without receiving explicit authorization from you first. At The Allen Thomas Group, we pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with independent agents. Once appointed with The Allen Thomas Group, we'll deliver exactly what is needed on time - because your agency is unique to us! Allen Thomas Group's cutting-edge telematics programs can easily adapt to meet the needs of your customers while saving them money. We have simplified our process so that an appointment decision can be reached as quickly as possible (we typically communicate back within five business days with next steps).
Pricing varies by state, agency size and revenue. If you have any questions, the Big “I" is standing by to assist you. An independent agent is an insurance agent that sells insurance policies provided by several different insurance carriers, rather than just a single insurance company. The independent agent acts as a middleman to connect insurance buyers and sellers in order to facilitate a transaction. Independent agents receive commissions for the policies that they sell and are not considered employees of any specific insurance company.
On top of personalized customer service, an independent agent can use their knowledge of companies and policies to steer you in the right direction. Most independent insurance agents work strictly on commission, which means they get paid a percentage of the premium amount for your insurance. In those cases, it is in the agent’s best interest to keep their clients happy. Independent insurance agencies can work with all types of companies, ranging from smaller insurance companies to major ones, like The Allen Thomas Group.
Similarly, if you have valuable art or jewelry collection, you may need additional personal property coverage so that all your prized possessions are properly covered. Finally, it is essential to note that different factors such as age, health status, occupation also impact an individual's eligibility for certain types of insurance programs. In such cases, working with a reputable agency can help streamline the application process given that underwriting standards vary widely by carrier. Insurance agencies come in different shapes and sizes, with each specializing in a particular type of insurance. While some offer only one type of policy, others may provide multiple types of coverage. For instance, captive insurance agencies are those that work exclusively with one carrier or insurer.
One of the best benefits to working with an independent insurance agency is having them shop for insurance quotes for you. With access to multiple companies, the independent insurance agent can check rates and coverage types with multiple companies at once. You only have to provide your household information once, which saves you time. Independent insurance agents may also know which companies have the qualities you’re looking for, which will also save you time and could potentially save you money. When your policy comes up for renewal, you can let an independent agent know about an insurance increase so they can shop for better rates to help you determine if you should stay with the same company or switch. Even if you switch insurance carriers, you can stay with the same insurance agent.
When it comes to safeguarding your future and protecting the things you hold dear, the choice of an insurance agency can be a critical decision. In a world filled with uncertainties, The Allen Thomas Group emerges as a beacon of trust and reliability, ready to guide you through the complex landscape of insurance. As an independent insurance agency located in Akron, Ohio, we are dedicated to serving individuals and businesses across the United States. Allow us to illuminate the path to financial security, offering tailored solutions that fit your unique needs.
Get customized homeowners insurance coverage that protects your home and belongings from the unexpected. Your independent insurance agent can also offer options from other companies, including business insurance, commercial, life insurance, health insurance, umbrella insurance, classic car insurance, and more. Whether you're starting a business, welcoming new family members, increasing your financial assets or something else, your agent will always be there with insurance options that keep up with your needs. Whether you’re looking for a new career or simply want to learn more about The Allen Thomas Group, you can find all the information you need to get started here. Find answers to your insurance questions, insights into current trends, and tools for navigating life in our resource center. We offer insurance by phone, online and through independent agents.
Insurance agents help insurance companies to generate new business through contacting customers and selling a variety of policies. They guide clients in choosing the best policy for their needs by explaining various policies.
Don't get us wrong... Direct-writer insurance companies are not bad. If you work with an insurance agent, you will get certain services and protections that a direct writer insurer cannot offer.
The agency owner's responsibilities include developing new marketing strategies and implementing new contracts with clients. They are also responsible for making changes to contracts already in place within the organization. They may work in an office or travel to clients' locations to conduct meetings and carry out marketing needs.
The insurance company does not obligate you to accept their settlement offer. In some cases, accepting an offer immediately could be harmful as it might not cover your losses and injuries.
A good driving record is one of the best ways you can keep your auto insurance rates down. Compare prices. Compare insurance rates before you purchase a vehicle. ... Ask for higher deductibles. Reduce the coverage for older vehicles. Purchase both your auto and homeowners coverage with the same insurance company. ... Keep a high credit score.
The majority of insurance agents are paid by commissions. The amount of the commission depends on several factors, such as: What type of agent they're. The type of insurance policy. The number of policies sold.
Amount you pay before your health insurance plan begins to pay. You pay for the first $1500 in covered services, if you have a $1500 deductible. You usually only pay a copayment after you have paid your deductible.
Your auto insurance rates are influenced by both factors that you can influence, like where you live, what type of vehicle you drive, and how much you purchase, and those that you cannot, like inflation or your age. In many states, accidents and DUI convictions can raise your rate significantly.