Coastal Market Advice Needed
New to the forum. Opening IA in Coastal Mississippi. Hoping to get some advice before I go off the rails in the wrong direction(s).
A little about me, I decided about a year ago after being laid off from a struggling/dying industry (for-profit edu), that I needed a new career path. After talking with some friends and extended family that are in the Ins biz, I decided it was something that may be a good fit. I was also contacted by State Farm recruiter, and went through that process.
To get my feet wet, I have been working in L&H, mostly payroll deduction (voluntary employee benefits) and some individual stuff as well. I have been successful, but feel P&C is where I want to be long term, and why not make the move sooner rather than later.
I have been working on getting all my ducks in a row, I now own a LLC that has an agency license, and I am ready to take the next steps.
I am looking at joining a cluster or MGA (doesn't appear direct appointments will happen) that can give me access to preferred auto and some home (wind exclusions), and placing the bulk of my homes with Non Admitted carriers.
I feel like I have a good marketing plan, and a target market, and feel really strong about the likely hood of obtaining the non-admit carriers, but don't know how competitive I will be without solid standard auto carriers. AND those seem impossible for an agency like mine to get directly.
What is important to me:
I want to own my own book and renewals, and maintain a good amount of control over how my business is run. I also want to cut down on any other hands in the cookie jar so to speak, unless the value of said cost is worth it!
I guess what I need suggestions on, or experiences with, MGAs/Clusters in MS, or in other coastal markets.
Any thoughts/suggestions in general would be great as well!
Thanks a ton!
Coastal
New to the forum. Opening IA in Coastal Mississippi. Hoping to get some advice before I go off the rails in the wrong direction(s).
A little about me, I decided about a year ago after being laid off from a struggling/dying industry (for-profit edu), that I needed a new career path. After talking with some friends and extended family that are in the Ins biz, I decided it was something that may be a good fit. I was also contacted by State Farm recruiter, and went through that process.
To get my feet wet, I have been working in L&H, mostly payroll deduction (voluntary employee benefits) and some individual stuff as well. I have been successful, but feel P&C is where I want to be long term, and why not make the move sooner rather than later.
I have been working on getting all my ducks in a row, I now own a LLC that has an agency license, and I am ready to take the next steps.
I am looking at joining a cluster or MGA (doesn't appear direct appointments will happen) that can give me access to preferred auto and some home (wind exclusions), and placing the bulk of my homes with Non Admitted carriers.
I feel like I have a good marketing plan, and a target market, and feel really strong about the likely hood of obtaining the non-admit carriers, but don't know how competitive I will be without solid standard auto carriers. AND those seem impossible for an agency like mine to get directly.
What is important to me:
I want to own my own book and renewals, and maintain a good amount of control over how my business is run. I also want to cut down on any other hands in the cookie jar so to speak, unless the value of said cost is worth it!
I guess what I need suggestions on, or experiences with, MGAs/Clusters in MS, or in other coastal markets.
Any thoughts/suggestions in general would be great as well!
Thanks a ton!
Coastal
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