Careers · Choosing where to work
How to choose a life insurance agency to join
The agency you pick will shape your first year more than any script. Ask these questions on the first call — a good agency will answer every one without flinching.
The short answer
Pick an agency that charges you nothing to join, puts your contract level in writing, explains advances and chargebacks plainly, provides or clearly prices its leads, and pairs you with a mentor who actually listens to your calls. Walk away from any agency that sells you training packages, pushes recruiting over selling, pressures you to sell to family first, or promises income.
12 questions to ask before you sign
- Do I pay anything to join, train, or get contracted? (Your only costs should be your own licensing and E&O.)
- Where do leads come from, who pays for them, and roughly how many will I get?
- Which carriers will I be contracted with?
- What’s my starting contract level — and can I see it in writing before I sign?
- How do advances and chargebacks work, and whose debt is it if a policy lapses?
- Who pays me — the carrier directly or the agency — and how often?
- Who’s my mentor, and how often will we review my calls?
- What does training look like in my first 30 days?
- What tools (CRM, dialer, e-apps) are provided, and what do they cost me?
- Is recruiting required, and are people rewarded for sales or for recruiting?
- Can I talk to two or three agents who started in the last year?
- What happens if I leave — my contracts, my book, and any debt?
Red flags that should end the conversation
- Fees to join, “training packages,” or required purchases beyond your license and E&O
- Pressure to buy a policy for yourself or make a list of family and friends before anything else
- Income promises, screenshots of big checks, or “six figures in 90 days” with no math behind it
- More talk about recruiting than about clients
- Vague answers about contract levels until after you sign
- Leads you must buy with no clear price or quality information
- No way to talk to real, current agents
- Evasive answers about what happens if you leave
Green flags
- They show you the income math — and the downsides — without being asked
- Your contract level and carrier list are in writing up front
- They review recorded calls, not just motivate
- A clear first-90-days plan with weekly check-ins
- They’ll talk you out of the job if it isn’t a fit
How United Eagles answers them
| Question | United Eagles |
|---|---|
| Fees to join? | None — to apply, train, or contract. Licensing costs go to the course provider and the state. |
| Leads? | Provided, so your time goes into conversations. |
| Carriers? | Dozens of A-rated carriers, including Mutual of Omaha, Americo, Aetna, and Foresters. |
| Contract level? | In writing before you sign anything. |
| Advances and chargebacks? | Walked through on the first call, with examples. |
| Mentorship? | Training on real calls and reviews of your recorded calls. |
| Recruiting required? | No. Building a team is optional. |
| Your book? | The book you build is yours. |
Ask us the other four on your first call — that’s what it’s for.
Straight answers
Common questions
What should I ask a life insurance agency before joining?
Ask about fees, where leads come from and who pays, which carriers you’ll be contracted with, your starting contract level in writing, how advances and chargebacks work, who mentors you, what training looks like, whether recruiting is required, and what happens to your contracts and book if you leave.
Should I pay to join a life insurance agency?
No. Your real costs are your state license and, often, E&O coverage. Fees for training packages, starter kits, or mandatory purchases are a red flag.
Is it normal to buy your own leads?
At many agencies, yes — and lead costs can take a big share of your commission. Ask exactly what leads cost, how fresh they are, and how many you’ll get. Some agencies, including United Eagles, provide leads, so you don’t buy your own.
What is a release when you leave an agency?
Carriers generally require your current agency to release you — or a waiting period to pass — before you can contract with the same carrier under a new agency. Policies vary, so ask about releases, your book, and any outstanding debt before you sign.
Keep reading
If it fits
Talk to a licensed producer — not a recruiter
Sixty seconds to apply, one honest phone call, and a clear path from licensed to producing. We’ll show you the contract in writing and tell you plainly if it’s not a fit.
- 1099 commission, uncapped — leads provided, no draw, income never guaranteed
- No fee to apply, train, or contract with us
- Dozens of A-rated carriers; remote-friendly