Originally published in Florida Underwriter.

Even the most optimistic forecasters concede that the climb out of this Great Recession will continue to be steep and arduous. Most states have been hammered with high unemployment, mortgage failures and tumbling property values. The national recession and its resultant drop in tourism and decreased number of new business coming into the state have exacerbated our problems.

In insurance agencies across the country, income has either remained relatively flat or decreased, with clients purchasing fewer products and carriers reducing commissions. There was a time when carriers paid 20 percent commissions and also paid for all the inspections, MVRs, credit reports, and the like. Those days are gone — and they are not coming back.

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