You’re in business. You’re connected to your clients. You’re connected to your employees. But, are you connected to a community of your peers? Making contacts with business peers in the insurance industry through an insurance agent association like the American Agents Alliance can be greatly beneficial to your insurance business. Here are some of the surprising benefits that you may experience when you join a network of your colleagues in the wider insurance industry.
1. Professional Discounts
While you probably have many affinity cards that you use in your personal life, an insurance agent association can yield discounts on a completely different level. For example, you & your staff can take part in discounted online courses to enhance professional training. The American Agents Alliance has partnerships with The National Underwriter , The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research , and other discounted online CE courses for its members.
2. Technical Support
Do you need an integrated support team for your insurance agency? An insurance agent association understands what you manage day to day, and it can help you by providing management tools, IT services , and even agency consulting services . When you work with those who understand your field, you’re better able to find software, technical, and web support that fit your unique needs as an insurance agent.
3. Legal Help
As an insurance agency, you’re in a very different legal position than other businesses. Sometimes you have to field a quick question that requires advice. Your insurance agent association can often provide legal support with a legal hotline. You can also use tools, forms & documents that have been created to help guide you so that you can develop your own.
4. A Source of Employees
If you’re looking for new employees, an insurance agent association gives you the opportunity to get to know people informally, before they approach you with a resume in hand. As you plan for the future, you can use your insurance agent association as a source for formal job postings , referrals, and networking that could yield a wonderful new employee.
5. The Hidden Benefits of Conferences
Annual conventions and conferences are a way to increase your professional development and provide opportunities for you and your employees to connect with new ideas in the field. Don’t forget the bonus elements of a convention, such as the exhibits. These can be just as informative as the workshops if you’re looking for new tools or support systems for your business. Go to informal events that are part of a convention as well. These give you an invaluable opportunity to talk with others about issues in your field and find out more about the solutions that they’ve found to challenges that you’ve experienced. The American Agents Alliance hosts an annual convention & expo in Palm Desert, California every year; it’s recognized as the largest property & casualty insurance event in the west !
Small or large, your business needs to connect with others in your field. If you’re an independent insurance agency seeking an insurance agent association, contact the American Agents Alliance . You’ll be excited to see the many membership benefits that include training opportunities, networking, and more!
