Choose an Agency Location Do you need a storefront location?
use to pull MVR’s, CLUE, and Credit / Insurance Score Reports used in underwriting customer applications for personal insurance policies.
If a new agent is looking for the benefits of a storefront location and the additional walk-in customers, then the site is a very important part of the marketing plan. If the new agent is expecting to attract new customers through contacts and appointments, then almost any office will likely be acceptable. However, there are some forces behind the scenes that are out of everyone’s control with restrictions on where and what kind of office you can occupy. This is called LexisNexis / Choicepoint. LexisNexis as further explained under steps 7 and 8, is the source that most insurance carriers
Without a “LexisNexis Node-ID,” the insurance
agent can’t pull those reports. It is extremely important to get your office set up correctly. Some carriers require the Node ID before they will
Preferred Insurance Agent
appoint you. However, you must have one company willing to appoint you prior to applying for the Lexis Nexis Node-Id as a sponsor. Office Location: You need a traditional office with a suite number or designated address. Your office needs a secure door that can be locked when you are not there. It can’t be shared with anyone else. Working from home is acceptable as long as it is a single-family residence. The following have been deemed unacceptable in the past. Virtual Offices or multifamily residences,” apartments, duplexes, fourplex, etc.” Warning: The problem with a home address is that most carriers will not appoint an agent to work from home. The Pandemic opened up companies appointing working-from-home agents. The downside is that this will change back in the near future.
Steps to Opening an Independent Insurance Agency Successfully
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