Here is an example of Farmers Insurance District Manager advertising taken from Website Our comments of course are in RED:

If having the potential of earning a 6 figure income, owning your own business, making you own decisions, determining your own destiny and enjoying the many other rewards of business ownership is your dream, make it a reality. Become a Farmers Agent.

(Bob, what exactly do we own? Farmers gives you Contract Value when you leave. If we were to own a real insurance agency we own our book of business or clients that we can sell at a vastly higher percentage than our Contract Value is worth?)

It is important to realize that this is a career in insurance sales. This is not employment, but rather an opportunity to start building your own business.

(Repeating my previous contention, how is a 1099 contract going to benefit us? We get no ownership of anything. We get no benefits. We get a subsidy that is basically money loaned to us that we have to pay back. The only thing we end up owning is debt and a Non-Solicit clause while you walk away with all of our clients?)

As a Farmers agent you will represent the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies and will market Farmers' multi-line products.

You'll be in business for yourself making your own day-to-day business decisions, but with the backing, and support of your district manager, state executive, Business Support Center personnel, and Home Office management. In addition, you will have the added support of nearby claims offices and a sophisticated Agency Information Management System that reaches right into your office.

(In business for myself just as long as I sell my required amount of life insurance, financial products and P&C policies. I have no choice on which one I get to sell though, I must spend my time being a medeocre at all lines and a master of none. AIMS is a piece of junk. The Farmers Dashboard is crippled at best. Its the most unweildy system possible)

Starting a new business in no easy task. It is challenging and requires determination and hard work. However, with the right kind of training and support, that dream will become a reality and the rewards plentiful:

(That is correct and being tricked into thinking you are starting a business, instead of getting screwed is an even more difficult task.)

• Renewal Income: Worried about living on commissions? Don't be! After completing the training program, a new agent receives financial assistance during the first two years. In addition, "renewal income" continuously compounds. Unlike most commissioned sales work, an agent not only receives compensation at the time of sale, but each and every time a policy "renews". Thus, providing a steady stream of income each month, rewarding you for both your past and present sale successes. The key is to solicit and sell insurance to new clients and take care of those you already insure. (as long as your agency is growing. You will hit a plateu when you reach 1000 PIF where you will have to greatly increase agency expenditures to keep up with attrition. If you dont your commission rate will scale down)
• Direct your own business and have 'creative license': Want to use your own talents and abilities to build up something for yourself? Your agency's growth will depend on your own creative ability. You will have the freedom to develop and implement the marketing plans that will dictate your agency's direction and continued success. (You will have freedom to sell as much Life Insurance as you possibly can. If you dont you're outta here)
• Perks: Want to be rewarded for your performance? Look forward to cash bonuses and exciting trips and awards. Operating a Farmers agency gives you the chance to become a true professional and a respected center of influence in your community. (Yea, trips to places where there are more meetings about selling more life insurance. How to meet other agents that successfully sell lots of Life Insurance. Bonuses are available as long as you're agency is growing and you dont have any losses!)
• Independence: Want to be your own boss? The Farmers Agent is an independent contractor allowing him or her to make independent business decisions and establish one's own goals and objectives. You have the latitude to set your own goals and work for yourself, getting paid what you are worth. (This is the biggest lie of all. You are never your own boss. You will be answering to the District Manager, District Marketing Manager, Regional Manager, President of Farmers)
• Build Equality: Are you working hard for the benefit of someone else? Your agency will build equity, allowing the sale of the business back to Farmers or to an immediate family member at retirement for an established price. (Build Equality? OH Build Equity! No, sorry. No ownership of the book, how are we possibly building any equity in anything?)
• Create Job Security: Are you scared of losing your job? People don't buy insurance with discretionary income - there's always a need for the products you market, regardless of whether the economy is enjoying good times or not. (Please explain how we get any kind of securty? What if we cant sell your 4 life insurance policies and get cancelled? That isnt security?)
• Constantly be Challenged: Are you bored with your current employment? The insurance environment as well as the demands and expectations of our customers are constantly changing. You will continually need to learn new skills and products to keep up with these challenges, and farmers will make available many of the tools and education that will help you succeed. (Constantly challenged by a crippled insurance quoting and application submission system, terrible billing system, those challenges? Or the challenge of writing 3 life policies on yourself just so you dont get fired? )