Agency Operations

Producers often work for the agency with a lot of independence. Does that make them independent contractors rather than employees? What if they’re paid as 1099 workers rather than receiving…

Citing tough economic times, an agency producer has ventured into a multi-level marketing operation and has sold energy conservation devices to several existing agency customers. The agency owner is concerned…

Warning: This article is NOT about “agency contracts,” but rather about the practice (or lack thereof) of the agency reviewing the coverage implications of contracts entered into by insureds. We’re…

Every agency should have a contract with every producer. Every contract should include a clause that governs the solicitation of accounts if the producer leaves the agency. Unfortunately, too many…

Customer Care should be part of everyone’s job description. But in every organization there are those people – the customer facing people – whose primary responsibility it is to take…

If you are looking to remain competitive (and who isn’t?), it’s more important than ever to differentiate your company from all the others. It’s critical to make sure that your…

Most bonus plans are usually not tied to salary or job standards and, in most instances, agency owners end up paying a bonus to employees to do the job they…

“What is the average renewal commission that an owner should give his producers? Is there a difference to be considered as to personal vs. commercial lines compensation?” These are among…

It’s no secret that employees’ attitudes about their jobs and benefits can range from high praise to dissatisfaction. What’s less understood and harder to find out is exactly what matters…

Most of the compensation questions our agency management gurus get deal with producers since the variations are widespread. But, compensation issues for managers, CSR’s and others can be just as…