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At Erie Insurance, we believe help should never be far from home. That’s why we’ve been working side-by-side with the best independent insurance agents in the business since 1925.
Working as an insurance agent can be a lifelong, rewarding career – and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of insurance sales agents is projected to grow 10% from 2016 to 2026 – faster than the average for all occupations.
We asked a few current Erie Insurance agents: How did you know a career in insurance sales was the right path for you? Here’s what they had to say.
5 REASONS ERIE AGENTS LOVE THEIR JOBS
- I Love Helping My Customers Solve Problems At the end of the day, being an insurance agent is all about helping people protect what matters most. So when something unexpected happens, it feels good to be the bearer of good news: “Yep, we can cover that.”
“One of my customers called me in a panic because the diamond on her engagement ring had fallen out. She was on an airplane and didn’t know what to do,” said Carlos Ruiz of CMR Insurance Agency. “I told her it was covered by her policy. She thanked me for simply doing my job.”
“I enjoy sitting down with someone and weeding out coverage gaps,” said Cameron Smith of Stetler Insurance. “Understanding the client is important. Getting to know the customer, especially business clients, helps to identify potential risk exposure.”
- I Like To Help People“I find the most successful insurance agents are trustworthy, detailed and good listeners,” said Carlos Ruiz. “If one of my customers has a question or problem, they can always reach me. I tell them to stop into my office. I want them to know that they are always welcome to stop in.”
Troy Miller of Troy Miller Agency says being an agent gives him an opportunity to give back in ways he didn’t expect.
“It’s more than business – it’s personal. You get invested in people’s lives,” he said. “One client was very anxious about her home closing. She had a lot of questions that I answered, and she was so happy after the closing that she gave me a hug… just for buying insurance.”
- I Can Be My Own Boss In addition to providing great service, there’s another benefit to being an ERIE agent – the satisfaction of running your own business. That means you get to be your own boss and realize your own income potential, explains Cameron Smith.
“Being motivated and driven are important qualities,” Smith said. “You are constantly building – relationships, the business, your network. It’s exciting.”
For Troy Miller, that means wearing a lot of different hats throughout the day.
“During the week I could be completing payroll, hiring someone, working on a claim or handling customer service,” he said. “As an agent, you need to be able to adapt.”
- I’m Rewarded for Working Hard Mike Bailey from Bailey Insurance Service describes himself as a competitive person who enjoys challenges. Working with a company that recognizes him for hard work drives him to do more.
“I am so grateful to Erie Insurance,” he said. “We won a trip to Cancun after just nine months of being appointed an ERIE agent. We have twice been recognized with the ERIE Quality Agent Award.”
In fact, when he was recognized with the Quality Agent Award – ERIE’s highest recognition – ERIE President and CEO Tim NeCastro and Board Chair, Thomas Hagen, reached out to congratulate him personally.
“That really meant a lot,” Bailey said. “ERIE is made up of really good people who are approachable, listen and are generous to their agents.”
- There’s Always Something New to Learn
From new cars with high-tech crash avoidance systems to using drones to inspect damage after a claim… the insurance industry is more innovative than you might think. As an agent, it matters to work with a company that provides ample opportunities for learning and development.
“You need to show up in a lot of ways; work hard, study and be teachable,” Bailey said. “I read and attend classes to continue to grow my knowledge base. The insurance industry changes, and you need to know what you are selling, how to help current and potential customers. You can never know too much.”
What’s more, great agents know how to adapt to using new technology to meet customer expectations, Miller explained.
“When I started, I faxed everything. Now I’m constantly texting and posting on social media platforms,” Miller said. “It is exciting to see how communication is changing – but for all the technology, I still really enjoy meeting with people.”
