Agency Cluster Questions

[Shane Eastman]

Hey Insurance Forum,

Wondering if I can get some feedback from you Pros, I have decided to use a cluster to gain appointments for my newly launched agency, I have narrowed down to two candidates and am wondering if anyone has used either/both and what your experiences were.

The two I am deciding on are, PIIB and SIAA.

 

[roxiepup]

I'm looking at the same two! Plus considering smart choice but honestly, siaa and piib are looking more favorable to me. Do you mind telling me which of the two you ended up partnering with and why? And how is it going so far? I'd really love to know.

 

[scooter33]

I'm looking at the same two! Plus considering smart choice but honestly, siaa and piib are looking more favorable to me. Do you mind telling me which of the two you ended up partnering with and why? And how is it going so far? I'd really love to know.

Do a search on here for SiIAA and you will see how I feel about SIAA. I can't say much about the others but SIAA is a joke if you plan to grow. If you are ok with staying a small one person agency, might make sense for you. Good luck.

 

[roxiepup]

Scooter33 - why do you say siaa is a joke if you plan to grow? What alternatives would you suggest might be better?

Note: I was looking at piib. Liked the first gal but the second kind of started to frustrate me on the phone and I felt like I was getting grilled and how to sell the hell out of my self like i was interviewing for a pharmaceutical sales position! Then she only wanted to give me 2-3 appointments for the same price at 850/mo AnD wanted to be sure I produce a certain amount of volume (did I mention I will have a new born in aug and she will not be in day care for probably 6 months, even though I will have some part time producers?). So anyway, I can get 2-3 carriers myself for NO fee, with at minimum, Safeco (for sure), and I also talked a couple others who would appoint me too (didn't try more cuz was thinking clusters might be better way to go)...you have to make sure you have the volume to keep them fed too with the dieect appointments on your own. So why would I need piib in that case - I don't want to pay a fee to have someone give me a couple appointments only then get grilled. Yes, my plan is hiring producers but still, I want a group that will support me not look down on me because i was once captive (yet wrote outside p and c), and assume I need pressure. I push myself enough as it is, and don't need anyone else to do it for me. I do like a team approach though for updates, tips, and brainstorming etc from time to time. It sounds like you get this with siaa.

What other alternatives do you recommend scooter33? Or anyone else out there?

 

[roxiepup]

Do a search on here for SiIAA and you will see how I feel about SIAA. I can't say much about the others but SIAA is a joke if you plan to grow. If you are ok with staying a small one person agency, might make sense for you. Good luck.

Scooter - could you please share what makes you say siaa is not good if you plan to grow? What do you think is a better alternative if you do plan to grow and have a couple part time producers? Thanks for sharing I'm leaning towards siaa and hoping we can work out a few items in the contract......

 

[scooter33]

Scooter - could you please share what makes you say siaa is not good if you plan to grow? What do you think is a better alternative if you do plan to grow and have a couple part time producers? Thanks for sharing I'm leaning towards siaa and hoping we can work out a few items in the contract......

4-5 years in you will find yourself paying them 2k a month is fees and it only gets worse as you grow. Also, after you have worked your ass off and ready to sell your book, you have to pay them a 1/3 of your book. The contract is not limited to a time frame. It it continuous and if you want out you owe them big time.

Other options... Hook up with another agency. Come up with an agreement to vest over time. Maybe open up a branch office and you pay them a small percentage.

 

[CraggyFraggy]

At what threshold of premium are you paying SIAA 2k? Just wondering.

 

[scooter33]

At what threshold of premium are you paying SIAA 2k? Just wondering.

Well... I'm no insurance genius and it only took me 5 years.

 

[lhpgators]

Well... I'm no insurance genius and it only took me 5 years.

I think he meant, what is your monthly premium intake that you have to pay $2k a month on? I think...

 

[scooter33]

I think he meant, what is your monthly premium intake that you have to pay $2k a month on? I think...

Does it matter? 2k a month is a full time CSR or monthly lease for a nice office. Bottom line is SIAA is good for SIAA. All the crap about fighting for the small agency is crap. I know several local agency members looking to get out of SIAA. I would think twice before joining.