- 14,808
We're over here on the new board so I figured I'd post some basics for new agents trying to go independent.
The main companies that write individual health as an independent:
http://aetna.com
http://americanrepublic.com
http://assuranthealth.com
http://celtic-net.com
http://www.goldenrule.com
http://continentalgeneral.com
http://humana.com
http://kaiserpermanente.com
http://pacificare.com
http://worldinsco.com
http://unicare.com
And just Google your local Blue Cross
What are the basics of being independent?
*Get a quote on http://ehealthinsurance.com for the main companies that write in your state. These might not be all the companies but it's a good start.
*Call each company and let them know you want to get appointed. Some will appoint you directly, some will make you go through a general agent/agency.
What are the main questions to ask any general agent/agency before signing the papers?
*What's the entire commission scale - as in what's the lowest and highest commission available. You might not rate the top commission but you at least need to know where you're at in the scale.
*What's the advance? (normally 6, 8, 10 or 12 months)
*How are chargebacks handled?
*Do I own my own book of business?
*What are my renewals?
*What type of training, support and leads do you provide?
*Once I sign, how long am I under contract with you? Will you sign a statement that releases me from you if I'm not getting the support and training promised?
*How long have you been a general agent and how much personal business did you write?
The main companies that write individual health as an independent:
http://aetna.com
http://americanrepublic.com
http://assuranthealth.com
http://celtic-net.com
http://www.goldenrule.com
http://continentalgeneral.com
http://humana.com
http://kaiserpermanente.com
http://pacificare.com
http://worldinsco.com
http://unicare.com
And just Google your local Blue Cross
What are the basics of being independent?
*Get a quote on http://ehealthinsurance.com for the main companies that write in your state. These might not be all the companies but it's a good start.
*Call each company and let them know you want to get appointed. Some will appoint you directly, some will make you go through a general agent/agency.
What are the main questions to ask any general agent/agency before signing the papers?
*What's the entire commission scale - as in what's the lowest and highest commission available. You might not rate the top commission but you at least need to know where you're at in the scale.
*What's the advance? (normally 6, 8, 10 or 12 months)
*How are chargebacks handled?
*Do I own my own book of business?
*What are my renewals?
*What type of training, support and leads do you provide?
*Once I sign, how long am I under contract with you? Will you sign a statement that releases me from you if I'm not getting the support and training promised?
*How long have you been a general agent and how much personal business did you write?