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I have less than 2 year experience with insurance agency but very good knowledge . I want to start new agency in TN or GA. Can some one tell me what are the crateria , insurance company will be looking to give direct appointment specially in commercial line. Are minimum 3 years is the requirments for appointment? It is advicable to wait for some more experience ?

Along with your appointment you will have to have Errors & Omission Insurance in place. Especially if you are going to work in the Property & Casualty fields. The first criteria E&O Underwriters look for is your year's of experience and where that experience is. A good rule of thumb is 3 years in the business with some agency management skills preferred. We look at start up on a case by case basis, then we talk to the underwriters. Also know this is not a quick process, so while you are looking for appointments, look for E&O at the same time.

You should look into a branch opportunity with TWFG Insurance; contact me if you would like to discuss further. bduhon@twfg.net

I worked in agency appointments at The Hartford several years back. Typically any standard carrier wants 3 years experience, but most of all they want you to have an active book of business, generally $500,000 annual premium or more. You will have to commit to a certain level of premium with each carrier in order to remain an active agent. I would use 1 or 2 standard carriers, and have a good contact list of MGA's and wholesale brokers. As your agency grows, so will your appointments. Good Luck! I have several markets for General Contractors. Please provide a submission and I would be happy to provide you a quote! Elizabeth J Mains Commercial Accounts Manager Ph: 303-531-4986 Fax: 303-795-5833 Email: emains@big-ins.com Website: www.Big-Ins.com Berrian Insurance Group Inc 385 Inverness Parkway, Suite 280 Englewood, CO 80112

I just logged on and found your message. We have started our agency (E & O in place) and are now looking for a book of business for sale. We have tried so many angles--cold calling, ads, web, etc. Is there something that we are missing? How do we find a book for sale?

www.sierraunderwriters.com

I am a long time company rep for a large carrier in the US. You usually have to have at least 2 million in written premium on your books already and have a profitable book of business to even get looked at. A couple ways you can overcome this are: 1) Purchase a book of business from an existing agent 2) Join an agency management group. These groups are clusters of small agencies that join together under one "Super Agency" , they usually share commisions and require a 2-5 year contract. By joining one of them you can use thier commisions to obtain markets. To keep your appointment you usually have to grow 100k each year and be at 300k or more by the end of 3 years. You can contact the Big I to find out who the large agency management groups are in your area. When I interview agents I look for several things: 1. Location of your office, appearence to customers 2. Who your average customers is? Not who you want it to be, who usually walks through your door, who are you prospecting and who do you usually get? If your target doesn't fit the company's then its not a good fit for anyone. 3. What is your business plan? 4. What is your marketing and advertising plan? 5. How will you obtain new business and how will you grow your agency? 6. How big is your existing book of business and is it profitable? If you qualify after that round of questioning then we talk about commitments, you must grow at least 300k in the first 3 years with that carrier and the upawards from there or your appointment can be lost. Your book must remain profitable as well.

Go to www.SIAA4U.net and locate THE Siaa Master Agent in the state you want to start up your agency in and they can help you.