re: Considering a career change...

I understand where you’re coming from. If properly licensed with 66, 7, insurance, and annuity trainings, then the OP can “help” everyone with all the capabilities and ammo. Northwestern mutual platforms simply don’t have the platform to do that. Doing straight insurance doesn’t do that. The perspective seemed off

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Northwestern mutual platform

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I would likely have to quit my day job if I get my NASD licenses again (6/7/63 etc) due to conflict of interest.

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Welding school should be in your future plans.

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I promise you this dude's hands are as soft as cotton and barely sweat in his life

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Basic P&C (auto, home, boat, condo, etc) is mandated by the state/banks, while life and health are not. Point being, EVERYONE has to have P&C. Annual or semi annual residuals.

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Exactly. A 10 million dollar book is generating 1.1-1.5 mill in revenue annually

Mrs. Tantal manages insurance agents for a major carrier (auto, home, boat, RV, PUP, etc.). Her slugs pull down 6-figures. Her top producers pull down $20-$25K/month.

Life, yes. Health? No. Health is renewal based just like P&C. Medicare and ACA are probably easier and quicker to make +$250k. P&C may have a higher ceiling but it’s harder and requires a lot more time and capital.

You can make $250 to $500k as a health agent working out of your home. To make that as a P&C you’re gonna need 2-3 employees and a monthly lease.

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A 10 million dollar book is generating 1.1-1.5 mill in revenue annually


Recently sold my $7.2mil agency.

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How long did it take you to build?

4.5 years. That doesn’t include my life and health premium.

I have two friends which own a couple of agencies for a major firm in major cities in Texas. They're buying their 30 year old agents $70k cars as incentives, etc., so they're successful. I started going down that road, but I soon realized the dark underbelly of insurance (at least for captive brokers.)

You're not being recruited as an agent to take over (or start) a territory to be successful. You're there so that when your business fails, one of the senior agents gets to take over your book of business. Look at all the tiny strip mall agency offices you see.

If you can't hire properly, you won't be successful. And coming from your industry, you have to dumb down your expectations. Does someone cancel their policy because their birthday card showed up two days late? It happens. Does it make sense, no.

You can't start an insurance agency with you and an admin; big company with a red logo won't let you. You'll likely get a great, inspiring spiel from the regional director, and then during your initial interview with the intake, you'll get quizzed on what your agendas will be for your weekly office meetings (not kidding.)

If you haven't worked in retail insurance, it's going to be rough. Based on what I've seen, as easy as it seems, don't do business with neighbors or anyone that knows where you live.

I hate to break it to you, but the vast majority of the home/auto market doesn't give two shites about your credibility. They're going for price, which is why some agencies engage in the inane process of calling people on their birthdays, etc. Every agency in the Houston area, at least, AllState, State Farm, Progressive, etc., have bitching points, which as an agent, you can't control. Agents are not claims departments. The agent is sort of powerless in a claim (or so it appears,) but customers remember your face and name. Upside? Not great. Downside? Huge, for things outside of your control.

I would advise registering with a business sales site, so you can get sent listings of carwashes, rural internet providers, etc., will get listed. You'll get an idea of the EBITDA, sometimes before you get sent an NDA.

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Anyone with experience have any advice

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Being a plant operator is in your future baw