How Do I Get Started?
Each topic will be covered in more depth once you are a member of the association.
The short answer is Yes! The Life insurance market fills a specific need for individuals to have a policy in place when the worst happens in their life. You can help people find what's right for them and make money doing it.
If you are self-disciplined, organized, and committed to servicing your policyholders you will build your business and help others at the same time.
Absolutely! If you enjoy helping those nearing retirement secure their financial future and gain peace of mind, then selling annuities is for you. Annuities are complexed, but with training you can advise your client to a solution that fits their needs.
All you need is determination, discipline, and a drive to succeed.
The first step is to become a life licensed insurance agent and satisfy the annuity suitability training in your resident state. We provide discounts for members on pre-licensing and continue education courses. We encourage you to find out the specific details from your department of insurance in your state. (This will also be covered in the training videos).
Yes, most Life and Annuity insurance companies will allow you to sell over the phone and use electronic application processes. (This method is considered a bit harder to do than face to face sales.)
Note: You can even make your phone calls more personable with video conferencing software.
Visit the membership pricing page, select the membership that best fits you and your budget. Register, then you're in!
Once you have satisfied all licensing and training requirements, you'll want to search for a reputable Insurance Marketing Organization (IMO), otherwise known as an upline, that fits your needs.
At a minimum, we recommend saving up $500 for your very first marketing effort (buying leads, etc).
Our suggestion is to have $5,400 set aside for the first 3 months for numerous start-up expenses. With more than half ($2,700) for marketing (buying leads, etc).
Yes, we strongly recommend that you do. How can you possibly measure success of your business long term without a plan?
A strategically developed business and marketing plan begins with realistic goals, financial planning, and actions to achieve your desired results.
What Will I Need?
Each topic will be covered in more depth once you are a member of the association.
You will need the following:
- Access to the internet via mobile, tablet, or desktop.
- The ability to follow directions, a desire to learn, and self-discipline.
We recommend having something to take notes or write down questions. You will have access to the live chat. Ask questions as they come to you!
You'll need the following items to make sales:
- A customer relationship management system (CRM) - Free CRM provided with membership.
- A quoting tool for Life, Annuities, and more. - Free Quoting tools provided with membership.
- Product Knowledge and training. - Training and support provided with membership.
- A vehicle to go to appointments, an office (for appointments to come to you), a phone, or video conferencing software for virtual appointments.
- Insurance company appointments through a reputable upline.
- The ability to handle rejection and a drive to succeed.
Here is a short list of vital software to start:
- A life and annuity quoting tool (comes with membership)
- A customer relationship management system (CRM) (comes with membership)
- A laptop, cellphone, or a softphone service such as RingCentral.
- A more extensive list of software will be provided for paying members supporting the site under the Member Discounts page.
You can call, use the live chat, or set up an appointment with staff members to help you narrow this down as a paying member. Our staff members will narrow the companies down by zip code. We'll make sure the companies are competitive for your desired work area, customer-centric, and known for good agent support. The right carriers is crucial to your success.
Some insurance carriers may not require E&O insurance coverage. However, we highly recommend having your own E&O coverage and we offer a discounted E&O program to our members to help offset the costs.
No, you don't. However, we do advise to have at least a one-page website that helps you build your credibility and gives you a place to generate leads.
As the need for a digital presence grows, insurance agents will need to be prepared to obtain and service clients in this fashion.
What Support Do You Provide?
Each topic will be covered in more depth once you are a member of the association.
The Independent Life Insurance Agent Association's goal is to provide you with a guiding hand and a helpful mentor YOU need as you grow your business. Learn to sell or refine how you approach selling Life products, Annuities, and more with honesty, consistency, and professionalism.
Our membership takes a unique approach to being an association by providing you with a mentor and training. You'll also get the following:
- Exclusive discounts (the membership will pay for itself)
- Free software to get started in the industry
- Trusted lead vendors to help start your business
- Guaranteed support via telephone, live chat, and messaging during business hours.
The short answer is NO. However, we do offer guidance on policy placement. We do not process new business for you. Through coaching and guidance, we can assist you in closing your sale. Feel free to use the live chat, phone, or book a coaching session.
We have worked with both new and seasoned insurance agents. Our site will help YOU get up to speed and running your insurance business. Or it will help you polish your sales techniques to increase sales and refresh your knowledge, even if you're a seasoned salesperson.
We do not provide leads or have lead programs. Instead, we offer an array of discounts from trusted and vetted lead vendors in the industry with your membership.
It is essential that you be set up with the right insurance carriers and get the attention you need. Insurance carriers will not tell you if a competitor is better than them. Your upline can narrow it down to your specific area, increase your sales, and go to bat for you when a problem arises with a carrier.
We offer several discounts and trusted resources for our members to use to keep your operating costs down. The membership will pay for itself. We continuously add and remove resources based on their relevance.
Yes. You can get one-on-one coaching sessions by making an appointment, starting a live chat, or calling the staff.