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Choose Your Path · Heirstead Careers

The Heirstead Agent Program.

Training, mentorship, carrier access, technology, case support, and ongoing guidance — one coordinated system for independent agents, whether you're beginning without prior insurance experience or already licensed and building toward more.

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Independent contractor · Commission-based

Showing: General Overview
Choose Your Path

One program, two starting points.

The Heirstead Agent Program supports independent agents at two different starting points — people beginning without prior insurance experience, and already-licensed agents looking for a broader operating platform. Select the path that fits you above, or keep reading: every section on this page applies to both.

One Coordinated System

How the platform supports every agent

Both paths run on the same underlying system — the training, tools, and support don't change based on where you start. It's one operating platform, not six separate vendors.

  1. 01

    Training

    Product and sales education — scripts, objection handling, and presentation skills built from decades of field experience.

  2. 02

    Mentorship

    Direct, ongoing access for real questions and complex cases — not a support ticket queue.

  3. 03

    Carrier Access

    A multi-carrier platform rather than a single captive product line, so you're never forced into a product that doesn't fit your client.

  4. 04

    Technology

    CRM, multi-carrier quoting, and e-application tools to keep your pipeline organized.

  5. 05

    Case Design

    Support structuring more complex client situations, with carrier illustration software and guidance on the application.

  6. 06

    Ongoing Support

    Guidance that continues well past onboarding — for as long as you're an active agent.

See the complete training and mentorship system →

For New Agents

Starting without a license or experience

You can apply before you're licensed. Once accepted, we guide you through the licensing process for your state while your foundational training begins in parallel — product basics, sales scripts, objection handling, and listening to real client conversations.

Mentorship starts on day one, not after you're already producing. You'll have clear, staged expectations at each point — but the pace depends on your own study, your state's processing times, and your consistency, not a fixed calendar.

Your responsibility is the study and activity the license and role require. Ours is making sure you're never guessing what comes next.

For Licensed Agents

Expanding an existing insurance career

If you're already licensed, the program is built around expansion, not restarting. That can include broader carrier access where your background and contracting qualify, case design support for more complex clients, and the illustration, application, and CRM tools to run your book efficiently.

Carrier contracting is still subject to each carrier's own requirements — it is not automatic or guaranteed for every agent. If you're bringing an existing book of business, any transfer, retention, or ownership terms remain governed by your own contracting agreements; we encourage reviewing those directly rather than assuming a default outcome.

Mentorship and operating support continue after you're already producing, not just during onboarding.

A Two-Way Relationship

What Heirstead provides, and what stays yours

This is a real, independent business relationship — support is provided, but outcomes depend on the agent's own effort and consistency.

Heirstead may provide, where applicable

  • Training and structured education
  • Ongoing mentorship
  • Carrier access and case support
  • Technology and workflow tools
  • Operating guidance

The agent remains responsible for

  • Obtaining and maintaining required licensing
  • Ethical conduct and compliance
  • Consistent activity
  • Client service
  • Operating independently
  • Personal results
The Development Journey

From application into early production

The stages below describe how development typically unfolds. Timing depends on state licensing requirements, carrier processing, and individual pace — not a fixed schedule. Already licensed? You may enter this sequence at Phase 02 or Phase 03, since licensing and contracting may already be in place.

Phase01

Licensing & Contracting

Early development — first few weeks, depending on state/carrier processing

The first step is getting licensed and contracted so you are legally and properly set up to sell. During this phase, we help guide you through:

Licensing course setupState exam preparationState licensing requirementsCarrier contractingCRM and tool setupProduct basics

You are not waiting around during this phase — sales training begins immediately, in parallel.

Phase02

Training While Contracts Process

While carrier contracts are being approved

While your contracts are coming in from the carriers, you prepare to produce — so that once contracts are active, you're ready to start speaking with clients rather than just beginning training.

Script studyPhone tonalityObjection handlingProduct positioningCRM workflowShadowing top producers
Phase03

Live Calls & First Policy Support

Once contracts are active

You begin speaking with real clients while being coached live through the process. You're not expected to have everything mastered before you start — you're expected to be trained, prepared, and willing to improve quickly.

Opening the callIdentifying the client's needPositioning the right solutionHandling objectionsFollowing up properly
Phase04

First 90 Days

The initial development window after entering the program

The focus of the first 90 days is not endless training — it's activity, feedback, and skill development, building toward consistency.

Call confidenceFollow-up disciplineCase design understandingDaily activity rhythm
Compensation & Structure

How agents are compensated

Heirstead agents are independent contractors, not employees. Compensation is commission-based — a first-year commission when a policy is placed in force, and renewal commissions in the years after, for as long as the policy stays in force.

There is no guaranteed income. Actual earnings vary based on state licensing, activity level, sales skill, lead flow, carrier contracts, products sold, underwriting, placement, chargebacks, and policy persistency.

See the full compensation breakdown →

Program Questions

Frequently asked program questions

Can I apply before I am licensed?
Yes. You don't need a license to apply or to start here — we guide you through licensing once you're accepted, while your foundational training begins in parallel.
Is previous insurance experience required?
No experience is required. Many agents start with zero insurance background. What matters is your willingness to learn and your commitment to the training process.
Is this employment?
No. You join as an independent contractor, not a Heirstead employee. You build and are responsible for your own book of business, taxes, and business expenses.
How does the new-agent path differ from the licensed-agent path?
New agents receive licensing guidance and foundational training before moving into production. Licensed agents skip licensing and enter further along — the focus for them is broader carrier access, case design, and operating support.
What training and mentorship are available?
Product and sales training, CRM and technology onboarding, case design support, and ongoing 1-on-1 mentorship — not a one-time onboarding packet.
How is compensation structured?
Commission-based: a first-year commission when a policy is placed in force, and renewal commissions in later years. There is no guaranteed income — see the full breakdown on the compensation page.
What happens after I apply?
After we receive your application, Joshua reaches out to schedule a discovery conversation to understand your goals and determine the right path forward.

View all frequently asked questions →

Ready to Begin?

One program. Your starting point.

Whichever path fits you today, the training, mentorship, and carrier access behind it are the same.

Apply to Heirstead →Review Compensation

Independent contractor · Commission-based

Which Track Is Right For You?

Start your application and we'll find the perfect path to your goals.

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