www.farmers-online.com - The Comprehensive Resource Site for Agents

Letter from an ex-Agent:

I was a Farmers agent for 2 years in Ventura County, CA and let's say that it turned out to be a true nightmare. I was a Career Agent and missed my Blue Vase by 1 lousy Life policy. It was the hardest job I have ever had and one in which I worked the hardest I ever have only to find myself severely in debt and on the verge of losing my house. Actually I did lose my house and me and my family are now renting a home.

I'm not going to go into extreme detail into everything that happened to me, but one thing I will say is that it definitely mirrors a multi level marketing scam with only a VERY small few benefiting from your blood, sweat and tears. Whatever they can get out of you in terms of policies they will squeeze out of you with almost no regard as to what happens to you if you don't make it.

I had seen at least sixty agents come and go in the two years I was there. The chances of you making it, I mean really making it where you can "NET" a six figure income like they tell you is maybe 1%. Also your DM will parade around those very few agents that do make high six figure incomes and they will brainwash you into believing that this is what most agents make. It's not - it couldn't be any further from the truth.

My goal for this posting is not to just bash Farmers because God knows they deserve it, but my hope is to truly prevent anyone from making the mistake I did. I don't wish what happened to me on my worst enemy. Farmers is not the route to go - start your own independent agency and you will do far better than any insurance company offering you a business opportunity. I would like to know what else can be done to prevent anyone from jumping on board with Farmers as an agent. If anyone out there knows of other avenues to expose this Farmers scam then please let me know. Thanks!

Moderator:

Thanks for your submission. You like many other of us ex-agents had the same exact experience. Make sure anyone reading this check out the multi level marketing scheme article linked above. It explains what Farmers' business structure is really about on the agent side.

We have the same goal in mind. The point of this site is to save those who eventually do go on to leave to program from financial ruin. It is very easy to get duped into following the carrot too long when you should just cut loose and take your losses.

Our other outlets would be: Departments of Insurance of each state or form a Class Action Lawsuit against Farmers for misrepresenting the program and what we would walk away from it with.

Good luck and thanks again!