Breaking into the P&C Biz

[NCAgent]

regional is definately more what i was getting at. I know that as agents we are familiar with alot of companies that the general public has no clue about until you inform them. thanks for the feedback.
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Do most of these carriers offer direct contracting or will i have to partner up with an "FMO" type brokerage like many indys would in L&H?

The ability to get P&C appointments is WAY different than L&H appointments. It is more difficult, more rigid, and a little more intense for production requirements and service.

You can get some direct appointments- I would do so for 2-3 major carriers that you expect to put business with. The rest of the little ones for odds and ends (monoline properties, non-standard homes and autos, etc.) I would do with a cluster like SIAA, Iroquois Group, etc. etc. That is its own research, though.


So yes, you would partner up with a cluster for your own appointments or a BGA to write through them. I would recommend the cluster so you own the business and have binding authority while the BGA writes on your behalf and has to process all the endorsements.

 

[Scottyj]

Honestly I would partner up with a seasoned P&C guy ideally to hire into your agency and have him focus on it. No offense but If i up and tried to start a L&H I would probably be facing a lot of E&O exposure due in part to my lack of knowledge in the L&H Segment... I see Personal lines agents screw up commercial accounts all the time... Since you have a L&H id get a guy that has been writting Personal for years tell him to not even worry about commercial and go from there.

I mean we are a commercial lines agency of 20 years and we really only write about 5 or 6 niche areas of business... if you get my drift. Specializing will make your agency more valuable from the clients standpoint. L&H paired with a Personal Lines only agency would be a real money maker... unless you are a Health and Benefits agency then it would only make sense to be a commercial lines agency...

 

[bdagent]

thanks NCPCLHnoob and scottyj,
great feedback. I will be able to focus my research now on those areas.
I agree that i should get some help from someone familiar with the personal lines market. I have no doubts in my selling skills and my relationships with current clients, but I dont want to make stupid mistakes that screw up those relationships!

Medicare man: I got your message, will reply later today via direct email.

thanks guys

 

[RonRoberts]

You will find out that you have never heard of any of the companies writing home owners in Florida. They pay anywhere between 10% to 15% and the state run company pays about 7%. You have all the usual suspects for auto; Progressive, Travelers, GMAC, Mercury, etc. They pay 10% to 15% as well. Some companies pay their renewals at a point or two lower.

Even though BDAGENT may have never heard of any of the companies writing homeowners in FL who are they?

Names please.

 

[FL P&C Broker]

Even though BDAGENT may have never heard of any of the companies writing homeowners in FL who are they?

Names please.

Florida peninsula
Universal P&C (writes in other states)
American integrity
Sawgrass mutual
Prepared insurance
Security first
Asi/ark royal (writes in other states)

I don't feel like naming like all of them.

 

[RonRoberts]

Florida peninsula
Universal P&C (writes in other states)
American integrity
Sawgrass mutual
Prepared insurance
Security first
Asi/ark royal (writes in other states)

I don't feel like naming like all of them.

Sarcasm??

My point was more why answer with "you have never heard of any of the companies" instead of naming a few and answering the OP's post?

But, like, thanks for the names though.

 

[PhilL]

It doesn't take too much internet searching to find Florida carriers. Then conduct your due-diligence by checking their ratings and comments about them.

Start with Florida Office of Insurance Regulation property casualty carriers and other variations, depending on line of business desired.