Jeff Hare

In an attempt to be a successful final expense agent, one needs a plan and determination. The insurance business can be tough in the beginning just like starting any business. However, once established, the freedoms of being self-employed and having a good flow of residual income from Settlers Life, are quite rewarding.

Every agent needs to plan. One needs to know what areas to work. One has to decide, "should I buy leads and if so what type." The best time for buying leads is in the cold winter months. This is also a great time of year to revisit your old clients to add coverage and get referrals. Leads can be good, but I don't depend on them solely. I like to cold call a lot too, especially when the weather is nice. Get out and knock on those doors and ask for referrals. If you're polite and smile, you'll have no problem. Skip the houses that have cars with funny-looking, 20 inch chrome rims and focus on the older crowd.

Be determined to follow through and never give up. I've had many days where somebody was rude to me and I felt like going home. But almost always something good happened later that day because I didn't give up. Focus on weekly and monthly sales goals rather than daily.

Hopefully you can experience success and enjoy this rewarding final expense industry by helping people with Settlers Life products, if you haven't already.

James Klepper

I use the Agent's Web Page on a daily basis. I think that it's great that Settlers gives the agents the opportunity to use the Agent's Web as a masterful tool - free! I can see virtually every aspect of my business with just a few clicks.

In the past (years before we had a web site), I would make calls to about all of the departments checking on various items. For instance, I would call the office for questions concerning underwriting, issue date, pending applications, etc. This took a lot of my time, but most importantly, it took a lot of my underwriter's valuable time, causing delays in her work.

I think it's great that agents have their own underwriter to confer with, but let's not abuse the privilege by calling them on matters that are most likely on the agent's web site and can be answered with a click or two.

Another part of the page I use is the Pro-Rate Calculator. Anytime I'm on the phone with a client or new prospect, I am on that site so that I can readily provide a quote and schedule an appointment. I am a professional and I want my client to know that. I'm not going to be flipping through the rate book when I'm talking to them. Every agent should be using this site. It's easy to navigate even for a novice like me.

New things are being added all of the time. Just look at the ease of tracking your points from the new Agent Awards Program site that was just added. I could go on and on but I believe I make my point. I like the agent's web site.