31 Aug 2017
Appreciation Insurance & Financial Services Response
8yThank you for your feedback. The two-year provision referred to in your post is explained in detail in the Independent Agent Agreement. In order to begin working with our Company, an agent must sign that Agreement. The provision is primarily based on protecting our Confidential Information and Trade Secrets due to our niche market. The two-year time frame is entirely legal, is common in the industry, and like anything else, there are exceptions made. Appreciation Financial is the #1 403(b) provider because of our special training and unique resources.
All compensation scales and promotional levels are provided to the agent as part of the Agreement and are also posted on our back office platform, to which all agents have access. In addition, this information is clearly reviewed and explained during the initial training via our Learning Management System. It is an industry standard to require milestones be reached before compensation is raised. It is based on merit, much like anything else, and not just desire.
Unfortunately, there are rare instances where an agent does not represent or uphold our Company’s core values or misrepresents Appreciation Financial. In these rare cases, we do decide to part ways amicably. As is industry standard for a licensed-only agent, if an agent decides to pursue business elsewhere, the business written with Appreciation remains with Appreciation. This provision is also clearly written in the aforementioned Agreement. Further, there is a provision for vesting in the Agreement, which would provide for outstanding and perpetual commissions, once an agent has reached a certain promotional level. Vesting would, in most cases, survive an agent moving on to another company.
Please let us know if you have any other questions. We wish you the best in the future.