Long before we merged our agencies and went fully virtual, Jeromy was already leveraging the power of remote work—though he didn’t fully realize it’s broader potential. He had been using two remote professionals to manage administrative tasks and bookkeeping for his agency. This experience opened his eyes to the possibility of extending this model to other areas of the insurance business, including roles that required more specialized skills.
When we merged our agencies and decided to go virtual, Jeromy’s experience was invaluable. He had seen firsthand how a remote professional could seamlessly integrate into his team and contribute to the agency’s success. This led us to develop the concept of Remote Insurance Professionals—RiPs—who are not just remote workers but integral to our business model.
What Are RiPs?
RiPs are U.S.-based professionals, licensed or unlicensed, who can manage tasks far beyond those of traditional Virtual Assistants (VAs). Unlike overseas VAs, RiPs have a better understanding of the insurance industry, shaped by their own experiences. This firsthand knowledge, combined with their cultural awareness, enables them to seamlessly integrate into your agency, improve communication with clients, and handle industry-specific challenges with greater efficiency, ultimately enhancing your agency’s overall performance.
Why Choose RiPs Over Traditional VAs?
- Adaptable to Agency Growth: RiPs offer a clear path for career growth. Starting in entry-level roles, they have the potential to progress into higher-level positions as the agency sees fit or needs, all thanks to their U.S. base and ability to obtain the necessary licenses.
- Flexible Workforce Development: RiPs offer the unique advantage of starting in unlicensed roles, allowing your agency to assess their performance before investing in their licensing. This flexibility not only conserves time and resources but also creates a clear path for internal growth. As your business expands, you can seamlessly promote these professionals to higher-level positions, ensuring you have a trained and capable team member ready to step up, rather than needing to hire and train someone new.
- Broader Talent Pool: RiPs let you hire professionals from anywhere in the United States, not just your local area. This expands your search for the right candidate and provides access to a diverse, highly skilled workforce regardless of location.
- Cultural & Communication Alignment: Even the most skilled and fluent VAs can face challenges due to cultural differences, leading to miscommunications. RiPs, being U.S.-based, inherently understand the cultural norms and nuances essential for smooth, effective interactions, making them ideal for tasks like answering phones and ensuring seamless, productive communication.
- Cost-Effective Talent Nationwide: If you’re in a high-cost area, RiPs provide a budget-friendly alternative. By hiring professionals from states with a lower cost of living, you can secure the same skills and expertise at a more affordable rate, saving on wages without compromising quality.
Jeromy’s early adoption of remote work set the stage for our successful transition to a fully virtual agency. Today, RiPs enable us to scale efficiently while still maintaining a high level of agency standards and strong agency culture. We believe that embracing RiPs can help your agency achieve similar success.