Farmers Group Reviews

Pros

Helping others obtain the American dream of owning their own business. Autonomy to make changes that have a direct impact on the bottom line.

Cons

The pay while you are in the training program. Regional market conditions may provide additional challenges.

Advice to Senior Management

Better timelines for RFM’s including licensing, sales etc… RFM school sooner in the training program.

Pros

M-F 8-5, 5 year vaca, Company car and gas

Cons

Hard to promote. Hard to excell. Not treated well unless you get in good with a manager. We're not graded fairly. We're graded on things that are out of our control. Definitly on the wrong side insurance game. Treated like a dog and beaten like a dog

Advice to Senior Management

Unfortunately the management cant make the necessary changes that need to be made. They know the things they are doing wrong but too afraid to speak up. Nothing will get changed so there is no advice

Pros

Competitve pricing of products in the marketplace

Cons

Farmers culture changed from "Family" to corporate cut throat when Zurich acquired them.

Senior management has little respect for Managers and Agents.

Pros

No ceiling as far as pay, great reputation, subsidy program, great commission structure when compared with other companies, ability to make great commissions for renewals.

Cons

Poor training, ridiculously high rates, poor advertising when compared to other companies (although they have gotten better), horrible agency management interface with too many glitches, and did I mention ridiculously high rates?

Advice to Senior Management

The only thing I could say to corporate leadership is to please figure out a way to make the products more competitive. Selling insurance is hard enough as it is. Getting killed on rates doesn't help agent grow their business, and I doubt it will allow the company to experience long term growth.

Pros

Met and had the pleasure to work with the most amazing array of people who were willing to share their experience and expertise to help others grow. Respectful and committed to community,

Cons

As a rule, won't even consider advancing employees beyond a certain level without college degree, regardless of experience or knowledge.

Pros

Have to understand that you are an business owner and all that entails from running a business. Can take vacations when you like, how often you like, just make sure you hit those sales quotas before you do!

Cons

Not truely independent agent and you do have a boss. company is in a growth phase with high sales goals ridden on the backs of agents. Wasn't a fan of all their marketing gimmicks that you "had" to do.

Advice to Senior Management

The leadership is pretty set on their goals. With big changes comes big risk, some compromises, and outright failures. Just don't forget how Farmers got to where it is and work the agents to the bone.

Pros

Huge Systems and more opportunity to learn and grow, Its very intersting to know about the systems and the integrations done between them

Cons

There was not as such any downside seen while working at farmers group, but their timelines are very tight if compared.

Pros

A pay check, and health care

Cons

Economy is bad, and farmers is taking full advantage. You will be Micro managed to the smallest degree. They look for any way to avoid giving raises, can't make the objectives they set, you will be told to make a concession, for Farmers. You can make no sacrifice too great for them.

The job market is bleak, but if you have a chance to take less and sleep at night, then think about it. Farmers/ 21 Century is the worst.

Advice to Senior Management

Hell on earth

Pros

Fair salary. They have a knack for hiring good people. Fairly flexible with hours and time off. "OK" benefits and bonuses.

Cons

Long hours, unfair of recognition/promotion. Middle management is paranoid about making decisions, and are only our to save themselves (mostly).

Advice to Senior Management

Sounds cliche, but have some commonsense when dealing with rankings, raises etc. The numbers a lone due not speak fully of an employee's value to a company. I have never worked so hard, seriously 60 hours a week, and to only be a "meets" is sad. Hence, why I am on this website.

Pros

good benefits, great work hours

Cons

too much of a top-down level management approach.

Advice to Senior Management

think outside the box, nothing needs to be done the same way it has always been.