Planet of the Agents Insurance Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dave Baker
The Ultimate Insurance Agents podcast for the property and casualty insurance industry. Grow your agency, retain clients, compete in the modern world.
If you are a P&C insurance agent or insurance agency owner, then you probably have a a lot of tasks to manage. Your plate is full and there are another hundred items on your list that you need to complete. In this episode of Planet of the Agents, I discus different wants to manage tasks in your insurance business. You have options with an AMS, CRM, and even other task managers that might make your life easier.
---- Make sure that you are signed up for the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com
Let's talk about marketing your insurance agency and how to grow your property and casualty business. P&C agents are feeling the squeeze in certain insurance markets, so now is the time to look at how you can improve your marketing.
*** Sign up for the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com
P&C Insurance Agents (property and casualty agents) have so much opportunity in both a good economy and a bad economy. Things are always changing, but an insurance agent can stay stable.
---- Make sure that you are signed up for the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com
With 19 years in the insurance industry, I have learned some valuable lessons about working in P&C insurance. I've spent time as a retail agent and wholesaler, so I have my share of stories an experiences. I also share my big takeaway from my experiences.
Sign up for planetoftheagents.com today to get my newsletter
Can a personal lines insurance agent and commercial lines agent find niches and create a pipeline of business?
Marketing insurance is one thing, but marketing and insurance agency is different.
🟢🟢🟢 Subscribe to the newsletter to get more info at https://planetoftheagents.com
👉👉👉 Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdVOLFtkYixLd26zLq1GbA?sub_confirmation=1
Disclaimer: Any information provided in this video is purely information and educational and not to be considered advice. By watching or listening to this video, you agree to these terms.
You love the podcast and now you can join me on the Youtube show. #insuranceagency #insuranceagents
Property and casualty insurance agents have so many tasks. Some are very important, some are very urgent, some are always pending in the background and put on the back burner. It's not easy being a P&C insurance agent, but it is worth it, especially if you love it. The next step in running your insurance agency is trying to operate it smoothly and to take some of the pressures off or yourself.
Make sure that you join the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com to get more insights.
Sign up for free access to planetoftheagents.com to get access to the newsletter and the agency resources section today.
Disclaimer: Any information provided in this video is purely information and educational and not to be considered advice. By watching or listening to this video, you agree to these terms.
You love the podcast and now you can join me on the Youtube show at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdVOLFtkYixLd26zLq1GbA
Episode 49 of Planet of the Agents - The show for P&C Insurance Agents
Subscribe to the newsletter to get exclusive information and insights at planetoftheagents.com
If you are a property and casualty insurance agent, then you may be looking for new opportunity in the current market. Things are change for P&C insurance agents, with commission cuts, new carrier guidelines, and other challenges facing agents. There is a difference between insurance that is hard-to-place and hard-to-quote. I share my thoughts on how these are different while challenging myself to make an episode of the show in 108º weather. I am up for the challenge, but are you up for what it will take to grow your insurance agency? Let's find out together.
Subscribe to the newsletter to get exclusive information and insights at planetoftheagents.com
Join me as I say farewell to my incredible dog of 13 years and as I review talking points that you can use at your agency about why rates continue to increase. This was a tough episode for me to make, but it had to be done.
You love the podcast and now you can join me on the Youtube show. #insuranceagency #insuranceagents #insuranceagent
🟢🟢🟢 Subscribe to the newsletter to get more info at https://planetoftheagents.com
👉👉👉 Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdVOLFtkYixLd26zLq1GbA?sub_confirmation=1
Disclaimer: Any information provided in this video is purely information and educational and not to be considered advice. By watching or listening to this video, you agree to these terms.
You love the podcast and now you can join me on the Youtube show. #insuranceagency #insuranceagents
🟢🟢🟢 Subscribe to the newsletter to get more info at https://planetoftheagents.com
👉👉👉 Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdVOLFtkYixLd26zLq1GbA?sub_confirmation=1
Disclaimer: Any information provided in this video is purely information and educational and not to be considered advice. By watching or listening to this video, you agree to these terms.
Insurance headlines from the property and casualty industry - are they positive for the future of insurance agents or do are their rough times ahead for your agency. Let's dive into the headlines on this episode.
🟢🟢🟢 Subscribe to the newsletter to get more info at https://planetoftheagents.com
👉👉👉 Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdVOLFtkYixLd26zLq1GbA?sub_confirmation=1
Subscribe to the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com
Will auto insurance, home insurance, and other personal lines be part of your P&C insurance agency in the future? With so many new integrations and products being embedded into the sales process, it looks like it's going to get harder. Is commercial insurance the future for insurance agents?
What is new in the world of P&C insurance agents? In this episode I am going to talk about what I am hearing from agents so that we can focus on coming up with solutions and ideas. It can also help to hear what is happening with others, so that you realize that it might not be just something that you have to manage.
. Remember to join the free newsletter at planetoftheagents.com
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions here are provided for purely informational purposes. Nothing is to be construed as advice of any kind. Any mention of insurance in no way implies that there is any form of coverage.
The year is almost over, so it's time to reflect on where we are headed. If your insurance agency is not the type that you want, if it's not living up to your vision, then it's time to make a plan. Where do you want to be and how are you going to get there? I am going to discuss this and more in this holiday episode.
. Remember to join the free newsletter at planetoftheagents.com
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions here are provided for purely informational purposes. Nothing is to be construed as advice of any kind. Any mention of insurance in no way implies that there is any form of coverage.
Remember to join the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com to get access to the free membership section and the agency resources page.
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions here are provided for purely informational purposes. Nothing is to be construed as advice of any kind.
Things are always changing for insurance agents an agencies, but they are manageable and despite the competition you can continue to survive and thrive.
In the episode I'm going to talk about some things that are affecting insurance agents and insurance agencies this year and what we can do about them.
Remember to join the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com to get access to the free membership section and the agency resources page.
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions here are provided for purely informational purposes. Nothing is to be construed as advice of any kind.
Make sure that you are signed up for the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com to get a copy of the easy spreadsheet for using the 777 growth method for your insurance agency.
-- Subscribe to the newsletter for actionable information for insurance agents at planetoftheagents.com --
A little bit of technology can really change your insurance agency's customer pipeline. In this episode, Justin and I will discuss lead generation, follow ups and retention. Having the right software can really help you take your business further and also to save some clients that you might lose.
--- Make sure to sign up for the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com to get information on new opportunities for agents ---
In this episode I will discuss some short-term and longer-term trends in commercial and personal lines that insurance agents can use to get new business or to work on a plan for the future. P&C insurance agents (property and casualty agents) have a lot of opportunity to quote different things, which means that even when the economy changes or we have social shifts, your insurance agency can continue to thrive.
Remember to subscribe to the newsletter at http://planetoftheagents.com/ for more exciting insurance agency information.
--- Sign up for the newsletter today at www.planetoftheagents.com ---
People are likely losing some clients as small businesses close and as drivers are working from home, and thus looking for ways to save money on car insurance. You can't win them all, nor can you keep every client. There are only so many hours in the day, so decide what you can and cannot focus on. In this episode I discuss retention, basic questions to ask, and review a simple strategy to implement.
--- Remember to check out startamembershipclub.com to learn about helping your retention by offering more than just insurance ---
Being proactive in with your insurance agency clients can save you time, headaches, and help you retain your clients. Retention is a big part of the insurance industry, so make sure that you are focused on it. I have a simple 4-step plan that I like in situations when there is a major rate increase or potential non-renewal. If you take steps early, you can make sure that you clients know that you are there for them.
--- Check out startamembership.com to create your own client club for your insurance agency ---
Does your insurance agency stand out? It's getting harder, but that just means that you need to come up with a plan. Do you have a niche or are you a generalist? Is it time for a change. Are you working with referral partners that can delver you a pipeline of clients or are you focused on getting one new client at a time? In this episode, we will talk about these key ideas.
Your monoline clients are big opportunity. If you are not offering your current clients more than one policy, then you may be missing out on one of the most untapped resources in the insurance industry. I will be discussing this key topic in this first episode of 2021.
---- Remember to sign up for the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com
Checkout startamembershipclub.com to learn how to strengthen your branding and increase revenue at your agency
2020 is almost over and things surely have changed for insurance agents. 2021 looks to be a promising year. It's the year that you are going to launch your new market plan to grow your insurance agency. Let's talk about personal lines and commercial lines and some of my expectation for the coming year.
Checkout startamembershipclub.com to learn how to strengthen your branding and increase revenue at your agency
In this episode I will discuss common usages for scripts at an insurance agency and how they can make you more efficient while also putting everyone at the agency on the same page. Using premade scripts can also help you open the door to potential cross sale opportunities.
Remember to sign up for the newsletter at planetoftheagents.com
---- Remember to check out www.startamembershipclub.com today to learn how to increase revenue and built agency name recognition ----
What's happened in insurance in 2020, so far:
- Clients are walking in
- Work from home is here and will probably stay
- People are Driving Less
- and more...
Most importantly, your agency can adapt, and you can continue to grow, sell, and retain. Head over to the website to join the club and get even more resources at www.planetoftheagents.com
Learn more about increasing your revenue by starting a club for your insurance agency at www.startamembershipclub.com
Insurance is being sold through more channels than ever before, from independent agents, captive agents, online, by phone, and through other platforms. Is it here to stay? Should you try to avoid certain products? Listen to this episode for my take on it.
Insurance agents should be looking at the future. Is your agency able to compete with companies that are selling the same products as you, online, 24 hours a day? Does your insurance agency have a niche? Are you writing just the easy stuff or do you also spend time on harder-to-place commercial lines that have less competition and can create higher revenue for your agency?
Check out this episodes sponsor at www.startamembershipclub.com
In this episode I delve into this question. What is the future role of the P&C insurance agent in a world with so many online competitors. It's not just coming, it's here. Insuretech companies are writing easy to quote business quickly, online, and without you as part of the transaction. I'll share some examples and some stories of what you can do to get ready for the future.
Clients expect responses in a timely fashion from their insurance agents, especially personal lines insurance agents selling auto insurance, homeowners insurance, and motorcycle insurance. People are not going to sit around and wait when there are more and more online options. In this episode, I review a few things that you need to implement in your business,
Personal Lines Insurance agents are practically asking to be replaced by online services by not being available for their clients. How often do you use the "out of office" reply in your business? If you are not there, then your clients may not be there anymore either.
This episode is sponsored by www.startamembershipclub.com - learn more about increasing your agencies recurring monthly revenue.
Personal lines and commercial lines insurance agents need to hone in their marketing to find the right clients that will help maintain and grow their business for years to come. Let's talk about a marketing plan to create a strategy and set goals.
Featured Sponsor on this episode is: www.startamembershipclub.com - Start a club for your insurance agency
Insurance agents have a lot of tasks to complete, so they should have a system to make it easier to know what to do each time that they process a transaction. Whether you are working on a new lead, completing a sale, or cross selling, by creating a system to get it done, you can reduce your work time and make it easier to operate you insurance agency.
In this two part series, I will discuss a few items:
- Why do insurance agents and insurance agencies need standard operating procedures?
- How can SOPs help you insurance agency?
- What types of SOPs can you create?
Remember to subscribe to the newsletter at www.planetoftheagents.com
We have been trained to think of summer as time to relax. This happened to many of us when we attended school and had a summer break . So why not use this time to take a look at your insurance agency. Insurance agents can use this time to make plans for September and the pre-holiday season before the December slow down and to set a trajectory for 2021.
Buying leads is a very popular way for an insurance agency to grow. Insurance agents often purchase leads to get new clients or to expand the types of clients that they are reaching. But, do you know how well they are really working for you? What is your conversion rate? How many leads do you need to buy to close one single new client? Are you focused on niche leads that offer you opportunities to quote multiple lines of insurance? These are just some of the items that I will discuss in this episode.
I like to use two types of goals to create a long-term and a near-term plan. The bigger picture sets a course for my future, while the near-term plan helps me to take the steps to achieving these goals. If you have never set goals or created any sort of analysis for what you are doing at your insurance agency, then this will help open your eyes to so many things.
Running an agency, even if you are a one-person business, can be done with an efficient organization system. You likely have numerous tasks to complete that are not repetitive, so you need to make sure that you are balancing your time correctly when creating a daily schedule. If you just do a little of this and little of that, you may never complete anything in a timely fashion and it may cost you clients and cause other issues. I'll go over how I manage my daily tasks from the start of the day until the end.
Most technology about which I read feels geared towards huge insurance companies, but there are products that you can use at your agency that are not expensive and that will help you to grow and maintain business. IF you're not using at least these items, then you may be losing business to insurance agents that can respond to their clients needs more quickly.
Use this time wisely. If business is slow, it might be time to refocus and make a plan for your future. There are several things about your business that you can analyze, such as the type of agency that you run and the time that you want to run. Determining what clients will fit your mold can create a more efficient agency and increase your happiness factor.
Now is the time fo you to be a leader. People are looking to your for guidance and comfort during this time. Be there for them. It's not a time for watching TV and goofing off on social media. It's time to work on a marketing plan for your insurance agency. I share 5 things that you can be doing right now to get a jump start on for when things reopen. You need to evaluate your business and ask yourself if you'll be doing the same things when this is over.
Over the years, I've worked with different lines in the insurance industry, from life to personal lines to commercial lines. I have seen both the retail side and the wholesale side, which is helped me to see the struggles of the insurance agent and made me set my sites on making it easier for agents to grow their business and retain clients. In this episode I tell more of my own story and where I have landed today.
Insurance agents spend thousands of dollars on leads. Are you using your money wisely? Are you making enough to justify this spending? It's time to analyze how much you make per policy and per client to determine the value of each transaction. Do you know ho much your time is worth per hour? You might be selling policies that are too small to even justify processing them. At some point, you may have to make a decision on what types of clients your insurance agency is seeking.
Just because you're working for home, that does not mean that you should not be focusing. You might not have new leads, but you have lots of old ones with which to follow up. Are you connecting with your clients to remind them who you are? Do they know that you can help them now or in the future when people get back to work? It's time to shine and stand out in a sea of insurance agents and products.
Unexpected things are happening in the world, the economy, and the insurance agency business. Spend this time retaining your clients and planning for the future. The world is full of opportunity and it is your job to find it and help grow your insurance business in the modern world. With everyone being told to stay home, what is going to happen to your business? Don't let things that you cannot control hurt your business. Refine your systems and keep people on the books.
Retaining insurance agency clients in tough times is key. There is a constant focus on getting new clients, when you could be focusing on retention and cross selling your current client base. We do not know what the near-term nor long-term future holds, but that is just part of the ups and downs of working in the insurance industry.
In this episode, we review several talking points that might help you keep your clients during uncertain times.
This virus could have a a serious affect on your insurance agency operations and how your producers, CSRs, and agents continue to work. You might have to start working remotely, add additional software, and enhance your phone and other communication systems. Let's review a plan of action and small steps that you can take now to make things easier as people start to work from home and things change when clients and your staff starts working from home.
In your insurance agent career, you are going to have choices to make:
- What insurance should I sell?
- What types of customers do I want?
- What product lines do I want to sell?
- Do I hire someone, outsource, or do it all myself.
These are the tough questions that an insurance agency owner and agent often have to answer. We will review some options in this episode.
Whether you like it or not, you are competing with the internet and technology companies that are selling insurance. There are some simple pieces of technology that you can use to make your agency more efficient and make it easier to communicate with your clients. Not all technology is expensive, and some of the smallest changes could help you improve your business.
Remember to subscribe to the newsletter at www.planetoftheagents.com
Starting an insurance agency is both challenging and exciting. Whether you are a small independent insurance agent or looking to start an agency, you can do it, if you stay focused and chase your dream. I started with no customers by going door to door. Today, technology has changed insurance marketing, but you can still grow your business, acquire new clients, and retain them. I'm sharing my story in the hopes that you will learn from it and keep writing your own.
Technology for insurance agents is so limited. What can you do to help your insurance agency compete in this century. You have to keep up or fade away. You probably won't have the technology of big insure tech companies, but there are a few things that you can implement.
What's happening in the property and casualty insurance business? Things are changing, can you keep up? Insurance carriers and consumers are evolving. Will your P&C insurance agency be relevant in the future?