NU Online News Service, May 26, 2:11 p.m. EDT
Allstate regional offices in seven states over the past three months have announced they are seeking 295 agents to open new offices, a tally of recent announcements shows.
Since April the company has made announcements about recruitment campaigns for new agency owners in Arizona, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Texas.
The largest number of agents being sought is in Texas, where the company says it wants to add 150 agencies. Virginia is next, where 50 are sought.
Recent announcements have carried a statement from Allstate Insurance Company's human resources manager, Gerald Salas, noting that "the economic downturn is fueling business professionals from all career levels to seek out second-career choices."
Individual calls for agents by Allstate in the various states typically begin by noting that state's unemployment rate, and the fact that the average work week has dropped to a record low 33.2 hours, while suggesting that "starting a business now may be a unique opportunity to take control of your own career by opening an Allstate Agency."
According to the company's Web site, the insurer is looking for opportunities for successful, self-motivated entrepreneurs with skills to run their own business, the ability to hire and manage their own staff, the drive to meet business objectives, as well as capital to invest in their own agency business.
The amount of liquid capital required was not specified, and it can vary by region, according to a company representative, Krissy Posey. The Maryland announcement asked for $50,000.
Ms. Posey said she could not provide a total number for how many agents the company's 14 regional offices are seeking, mentioning that not all states are making announcements of their needs.
"On a national front, there are no specific numbers. Some states are putting more emphasis on agent recruitment than others due to the growth needs of that state," she said in an e-mail.
In its drive for agents in the various states, the company is wooing prospects by telling them that "unlike typical entrepreneurships, Allstate provides its new agents essential tools and resources to help them get off to a great start, including insurance product education, expertise from sales leaders, customizable marketing and advertising materials and performance incentives."
Mr. Salas said agency owners are on their own, "but not alone. If you don't have an insurance background, we will provide you with insurance education to help you hit the ground running. In addition, our agents have the independence to run their own agency, hire and manage their own staff, and set their own direction while receiving support from one of the largest insurance companies in the country."
Allstate said its inventory of products include auto and property insurance, as well as financial services. Agents, the company said, will also have the opportunity to expand by opening multiple locations without paying franchise or licensing fees.
Allstate said its agency expansion plan is part of an overall growth strategy that calls for expanding the provider's auto and property insurance presence in various states and staking a stronger claim in financial services.
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