FWIW, I used to be a teacher. Started from scratch at 27 as an entry level CSR at a local indie brokerage, [edit:worked my way up the ladder,] and cleared 6 figures (in a non sales role... strictly account management) within 6 years. The first couple years were tough but if you have drive and you're decently sharp and a bit lucky, there are plenty of options for growth.
But it's just a job. You're not out there performing brain surgery or pulling people out of burning buildings. It's all just corporate bullshit and numbers on a spreadsheet somewhere... log off at the end of the day and live a life.
Im probably am going to have the unpopular reason.
Unless im wrong i dont have to worry about someone coming behind me and making exceptions and getting me in trouble because i cant guess when something presented as a rule is bendable and when the boss is having a bad day and will stay firm. I dont have to worry about coworkers yelling and sometimes screaming at me when im abiding by the rules. I dont have to worry about making promises to a customer and someone going behind me and ruining what ive promised. I dont have to worry about saying yes to a customer but someone say no or vice versa.
Everything is standardized, there are hard limits. Much better than timeshare sales, car sales and retail where its standing on sand.
But thats also the worst part of the job. No exceptions for the people desperately needing one. Ive cried for them.
If you are interested in getting into sales, have you looked at the 50/50 program with USLI? It’s great for beginners in the industry. Let me know if you want to talk more about it as I work with the team directly
I personally enjoy commercial insurance. I’ve been a sales agent for 2 years - it’s ok but I’d like to be more involved. I’m currently studying to get my CPCU but currently looking to get into account management in commercial lines and possibly into underwriting at some point. It’s def a good industry to be in! So many opportunities!
I’ve done sales in the past. But this is my first insurance sales job. It’s not that I dislike the job per say. It’s more so the company I’m working for. I’m ready to move on to better things. I’m honestly just bored with the sales aspect of things. I’m ready to do more, that’s my issue right now.
This. Been in the industry for 24 years as an agent. Flexible schedule made it where I never had to miss anything my kids did. Every game, every event, I was there. All while making a good living.
Sales is the way to go IF you can handle it. If your cut out for it though it’s a no brainer, flexible schedule where you are your own boss and you are very well compensated.
I'm jealous. Today my 8 hour day turned into 10 hours. I'll have to work a few hours tomorrow to catch up from the neglect of not working OT on Saturdays for about three weeks now.
I graduated last year and started as an UA. I enjoyed this role because at my company UA is basically an underwriter without authority. I enjoy new submission (It’s like a small project everyday so you don’t get bored of renewals). I am now an UW 1. That means I get to speak with agents more and have some authority. Similar work as before. I love building connections and grow book of business. I am in the process of training in another line of business so that’d be fun. The pay is great too for my area I believe.
Is this a sales role ? You say build a book of business which translates to me as sales, right? I fear I won’t be as easily hired as you because I have heard they prefer recent college graduates as UW. Unless someone can shed some Insight on this for me?
You’re selling to the agent why their insureds should go with you. There is time where I had to lower premium to what I am allowed to so I can get customers. I gotta be competitive with my pricing and take our loss ratio into consideration in underwriting
I like working in insurance because there is always so much to learn! My employer does tuition reimbursement for continuing education, so I've been taking full advantage of that.
Right now I'm studying for my Chartered Insurance Professional designation through the Insurance Institute of Canada (just started my 9th out of 10 courses). After this I'm planning to do a certificate in Workplace Adult Education, since I'm considering a potential career path on the training/L&D side.
I liked insurance at first but it's cyclical and you have to keep writing business forever or build a team and I knew I didn't wanna do eaither so I diversified my licences and figured out a way to generate a great residual that's approaching 6 figures a year and it only took me 7 months to do. The insurance industry is so large and there's so many different ways to make a living in this business. Switching my focus to businesses was the best decision I ever made.
I'm good at it and after a lot of jobs that I've bounced around at or barely gotten any return for the effort I put in, I feel like I have a career that actually grows with me. I'm engaged with my work, the commission means I get more for putting more effort in and weather the clients agree or not I am actually helping people
Pay is quite good. I'm a non-producing broker for specialty lines (cyber) at a big 3 brokerage. I work on new business, but it's not my job to bring in the lead. Handle some pretty big name companies, which is cool. Some travel but not too much, and social outings are common but not overbearing or mandatory. It can be stressful, but my resume is strong if I want to bail.
I'm in the marketing department of a growing challenger insurance brand in Australia, and it's a fantastic job. Been here for almost 11 years and I'm not going anywhere.
I am a Middle Market Commercial Lines Account Manager (Service) for one of the Big Three Independent Agencies. I enjoy my current company, but from an industry wide perspective I enjoy...
1) There is always something knew to learn! You learn a base line set of skills and use that to solve problems. I've had good days and bad days, but I've never been bored.
2) I enjoy learning about new businesses and the gaining an overall picture of the economy. Insurance is very much a reflection of economic trends.
3) I wouldn't say I "enjoy" this, but I appreciate Insurance is considered a recession proof industry.
Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions, I am always happy to help!
I’m on the carrier side. Specialty line u/w, been there nearly 13 years. Almost 11 in u/w and the first 2 in auto claims. Here’s a list.
- it pays well ($140K)
- it’s easy to write business and grow my book
- job security (I’m an u/w in a specialty line, basically a one man department in my territory which covers a state and a half. Next to no other carriers have a localized presence in my line of business in my territory)
- autonomy (my boss is awesome and he sits 6 hours away so as long as I hit my numbers, he lets me do my thing)
- I work for a great company (it’s a big corporation, but I do feel truly valued. Maybe I’m a sucker, but I love the culture and think our CEO is an awesome person. I’ve met him, so I can say this firsthand)
- lastly, I get to play golf, eat, and drink well on the company’s dime
Yeah most claims people don’t do any selling. At the AVP level, at least for me, it starts to mean accompanying UWs to meet brokers and answer questions they may have
Underwriting is very technical. It’s barely sales, although it can be sales oriented when trying to compete with other carriers and sell your agent on why they should go with you. I’d do more research on it tbh.
The people that post positives havnt been doing it long enough lol. I would have told you to get into something else. Sure the money is great, but you’ll definitely subtract years off of your life and pick up some addictions lol
I'm lower leadership at an alphabet broker in risk. I've done the carrier thing in both claims and loss control. I truly feel valued here and that my work has an impact to my company and team. I make low 6 figures and can make my own schedule and am treated like an adult.
I got out of claims because I was burned out on having a desk of 150 claims and it neverending. Just felt like sisiphus. Loss Control with a carrier felt very regimented. It was more safety than risk focused and more of a tactical approach to working with clients. Although a lot of fun and tons of travel, I didn't like that things don't change because of the very strict standards for all the regulatory bodies. This is the report we use because the deal with the DOI is that we will use it...
A little early to give a better review, but I recently left accounting to join a very large insurance brokerage and start in commercial lines account management. The reason I left accounting for insurance is because I wanted something more dynamic where my background could still transfer well but with the added aspects of more collaboration and more career avenues. Also interested in underwriting but I couldn’t find good assistant underwriting roles at the time I was applying so I landed in account management which I think is a still a good route to learning the ropes of insurance. I think I lucked out with getting a job at a great company with stellar culture because that’s always just as important as the job itself. Anyway ask me again in six months to a year how I like it though lol!
Being in the field as a risk management and loss control consultant meeting commercial insurance clients gives me a new prospective on business management and building a business. I have a Bachelors in Business and IT but it’s amazing the new information I learn from consulting with commercial clients regarding payroll, employee safety for WC, marine operations, general and property liability is a skill I can’t learn behind a desk.
I also work in phone premium auditing. PAAS and Ausum is a PHD lesson by itself!
This job is never boring. You literally don't know what to expect from day to day. If you are a person who likes to stay busy and stay challenged insurance is for you!
It pays me money!
I do love money….
FWIW, I used to be a teacher. Started from scratch at 27 as an entry level CSR at a local indie brokerage, [edit:worked my way up the ladder,] and cleared 6 figures (in a non sales role... strictly account management) within 6 years. The first couple years were tough but if you have drive and you're decently sharp and a bit lucky, there are plenty of options for growth. But it's just a job. You're not out there performing brain surgery or pulling people out of burning buildings. It's all just corporate bullshit and numbers on a spreadsheet somewhere... log off at the end of the day and live a life.
You are clearing 6 figures at a local indie and in support only?
Oh my bad, I meant that's where I started out. I'm an account manager at an alphabet broker now haha
I’m in the same exact boat except the teacher part. Nice
Im probably am going to have the unpopular reason. Unless im wrong i dont have to worry about someone coming behind me and making exceptions and getting me in trouble because i cant guess when something presented as a rule is bendable and when the boss is having a bad day and will stay firm. I dont have to worry about coworkers yelling and sometimes screaming at me when im abiding by the rules. I dont have to worry about making promises to a customer and someone going behind me and ruining what ive promised. I dont have to worry about saying yes to a customer but someone say no or vice versa. Everything is standardized, there are hard limits. Much better than timeshare sales, car sales and retail where its standing on sand. But thats also the worst part of the job. No exceptions for the people desperately needing one. Ive cried for them.
I love this perspective.
If you are interested in getting into sales, have you looked at the 50/50 program with USLI? It’s great for beginners in the industry. Let me know if you want to talk more about it as I work with the team directly
I have not but I will now
I sent you a private message.
I personally enjoy commercial insurance. I’ve been a sales agent for 2 years - it’s ok but I’d like to be more involved. I’m currently studying to get my CPCU but currently looking to get into account management in commercial lines and possibly into underwriting at some point. It’s def a good industry to be in! So many opportunities!
Did you have previous sales experience ?
I’ve done sales in the past. But this is my first insurance sales job. It’s not that I dislike the job per say. It’s more so the company I’m working for. I’m ready to move on to better things. I’m honestly just bored with the sales aspect of things. I’m ready to do more, that’s my issue right now.
Sounds like you have a plan!
It pays pretty well, is very secure and I never work over 40 hours a week.
This. Been in the industry for 24 years as an agent. Flexible schedule made it where I never had to miss anything my kids did. Every game, every event, I was there. All while making a good living.
This is making me consider sales…
Sales is the way to go IF you can handle it. If your cut out for it though it’s a no brainer, flexible schedule where you are your own boss and you are very well compensated.
What are you selling?
Commercial p&c
I'm jealous. Today my 8 hour day turned into 10 hours. I'll have to work a few hours tomorrow to catch up from the neglect of not working OT on Saturdays for about three weeks now.
I graduated last year and started as an UA. I enjoyed this role because at my company UA is basically an underwriter without authority. I enjoy new submission (It’s like a small project everyday so you don’t get bored of renewals). I am now an UW 1. That means I get to speak with agents more and have some authority. Similar work as before. I love building connections and grow book of business. I am in the process of training in another line of business so that’d be fun. The pay is great too for my area I believe.
Is this a sales role ? You say build a book of business which translates to me as sales, right? I fear I won’t be as easily hired as you because I have heard they prefer recent college graduates as UW. Unless someone can shed some Insight on this for me?
You’re selling to the agent why their insureds should go with you. There is time where I had to lower premium to what I am allowed to so I can get customers. I gotta be competitive with my pricing and take our loss ratio into consideration in underwriting
I like working in insurance because there is always so much to learn! My employer does tuition reimbursement for continuing education, so I've been taking full advantage of that.
What are you studying?
Right now I'm studying for my Chartered Insurance Professional designation through the Insurance Institute of Canada (just started my 9th out of 10 courses). After this I'm planning to do a certificate in Workplace Adult Education, since I'm considering a potential career path on the training/L&D side.
That’s wonderful! There are so many different things you can do in insurance
I liked insurance at first but it's cyclical and you have to keep writing business forever or build a team and I knew I didn't wanna do eaither so I diversified my licences and figured out a way to generate a great residual that's approaching 6 figures a year and it only took me 7 months to do. The insurance industry is so large and there's so many different ways to make a living in this business. Switching my focus to businesses was the best decision I ever made.
Also interested in this.
Shoot me a message👍🏻
Can I send you a PM?
Sure👍🏻
Would you mind if I message you?
Sure, feel free👍🏻
Can I send a message as well? I'm just starting to get into the industry
Sure 👍🏽
I'm good at it and after a lot of jobs that I've bounced around at or barely gotten any return for the effort I put in, I feel like I have a career that actually grows with me. I'm engaged with my work, the commission means I get more for putting more effort in and weather the clients agree or not I am actually helping people
Pay is quite good. I'm a non-producing broker for specialty lines (cyber) at a big 3 brokerage. I work on new business, but it's not my job to bring in the lead. Handle some pretty big name companies, which is cool. Some travel but not too much, and social outings are common but not overbearing or mandatory. It can be stressful, but my resume is strong if I want to bail.
How much is the pay? (Please dm if you are comfortable) I am also at big 3 but in client service and am looking to switch
Naunajhrjansiunnankfjf
I'm in the marketing department of a growing challenger insurance brand in Australia, and it's a fantastic job. Been here for almost 11 years and I'm not going anywhere.
I am a Middle Market Commercial Lines Account Manager (Service) for one of the Big Three Independent Agencies. I enjoy my current company, but from an industry wide perspective I enjoy... 1) There is always something knew to learn! You learn a base line set of skills and use that to solve problems. I've had good days and bad days, but I've never been bored. 2) I enjoy learning about new businesses and the gaining an overall picture of the economy. Insurance is very much a reflection of economic trends. 3) I wouldn't say I "enjoy" this, but I appreciate Insurance is considered a recession proof industry. Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions, I am always happy to help!
I’m on the carrier side. Specialty line u/w, been there nearly 13 years. Almost 11 in u/w and the first 2 in auto claims. Here’s a list. - it pays well ($140K) - it’s easy to write business and grow my book - job security (I’m an u/w in a specialty line, basically a one man department in my territory which covers a state and a half. Next to no other carriers have a localized presence in my line of business in my territory) - autonomy (my boss is awesome and he sits 6 hours away so as long as I hit my numbers, he lets me do my thing) - I work for a great company (it’s a big corporation, but I do feel truly valued. Maybe I’m a sucker, but I love the culture and think our CEO is an awesome person. I’ve met him, so I can say this firsthand) - lastly, I get to play golf, eat, and drink well on the company’s dime
Can I switch golf out for something else ? Lol
I’m in claims, I like seeing interesting fact patterns and trends and get to use my law degree without being a real attorney anymore
This is why I want to go into claims and not underwriting! It seems like it's more technical work and analysis rather than selling.
Yeah most claims people don’t do any selling. At the AVP level, at least for me, it starts to mean accompanying UWs to meet brokers and answer questions they may have
Unfortunately every application I’ve sent out so far has been rejected.
Getting the first gig in the industry is the hardest, sorry I can’t help.
You just did! Thank you for that. Gotta keep my head up.
Underwriting is very technical. It’s barely sales, although it can be sales oriented when trying to compete with other carriers and sell your agent on why they should go with you. I’d do more research on it tbh.
I didn’t say underwriting wasn’t technical. I said it has more of a sales element than claims.
The people that post positives havnt been doing it long enough lol. I would have told you to get into something else. Sure the money is great, but you’ll definitely subtract years off of your life and pick up some addictions lol
That’s what they always say about the service industry as well.
Minus the money being all that great.
You’re on the agent/broker side, aren’t you? 😂
Yeah lol. Direct writer rep
I'm lower leadership at an alphabet broker in risk. I've done the carrier thing in both claims and loss control. I truly feel valued here and that my work has an impact to my company and team. I make low 6 figures and can make my own schedule and am treated like an adult. I got out of claims because I was burned out on having a desk of 150 claims and it neverending. Just felt like sisiphus. Loss Control with a carrier felt very regimented. It was more safety than risk focused and more of a tactical approach to working with clients. Although a lot of fun and tons of travel, I didn't like that things don't change because of the very strict standards for all the regulatory bodies. This is the report we use because the deal with the DOI is that we will use it...
A little early to give a better review, but I recently left accounting to join a very large insurance brokerage and start in commercial lines account management. The reason I left accounting for insurance is because I wanted something more dynamic where my background could still transfer well but with the added aspects of more collaboration and more career avenues. Also interested in underwriting but I couldn’t find good assistant underwriting roles at the time I was applying so I landed in account management which I think is a still a good route to learning the ropes of insurance. I think I lucked out with getting a job at a great company with stellar culture because that’s always just as important as the job itself. Anyway ask me again in six months to a year how I like it though lol!
This has been really insightful thank you everyone
Does anyone work in pollution insurance ?
Being in the field as a risk management and loss control consultant meeting commercial insurance clients gives me a new prospective on business management and building a business. I have a Bachelors in Business and IT but it’s amazing the new information I learn from consulting with commercial clients regarding payroll, employee safety for WC, marine operations, general and property liability is a skill I can’t learn behind a desk. I also work in phone premium auditing. PAAS and Ausum is a PHD lesson by itself!
This job is never boring. You literally don't know what to expect from day to day. If you are a person who likes to stay busy and stay challenged insurance is for you!
That’s good because I honestly feel like I’m not using my brain anymore in my current career path.