For smaller insurance firms finance is usually the biggest obstacle to expansion. Even with the top-quality customer service you are able to offer on a limited scale, the amount of cash required to grow is prohibitive.
This is where insurance agency loans can be helpful. These business loans are to finance an acquisition, improve operations, or even hire new employees. The trick is getting the right funding option for your company and maximizing the value of the money you invest.
To aid you in everything you need to know to make things easier for you, we have put together this guide on how to obtain the insurance industry’s loan. While any business owner is able to profit from loans for working capital in general, the insurance industry is able to benefit from funding to grow opportunities. Alongside that, in this article, you’ll find out about loan options and how to apply, and the best way to utilize the funds you receive from your loan.
Insurance Agency Loan Options
Although there are numerous kinds of business loans that can be used by an insurance company we’ll be focusing on three general categories:
1. SBA Loans
Between 2005 and the year 2015 the insurance industry and brokers have taken out nearly 5 000 Small Business Administration (SBA) loans totaling $950 million. In comparison to other small-business credit, SBA lending options typically offer very low rates of interest. Additionally, they have lengthy loan terms that can make payments less costly.
There are a few restrictions to the use of money to fund SBA loans, but you are able to make use of them to:
- Working capital for short and long-term
- The purchase of furniture, equipment, or other items
- Real estate acquisition
- Building renovations or new construction
- Purchase an existing company or create an entirely new one
- Assisting with the expansion of business or operations
- Refinancing existing business debt
SBA loans are a fantastic option for insurance brokers however, they are difficult to be eligible for. For instance, captive companies aren’t eligible if classified as affiliates, and it is the sole discretion of the SBA lender to decide. Furthermore, because SBA loans are affordable The application process is highly competitive.
2. Small business loans for traditional businesses
A traditional small-business loan is a loan for commercial purposes that you can get from a bank or credit union. These loans are usually identical to SBA loans in terms of structure details and terms. For instance, all of the funds mentioned previously for SBA loans are also permissible for the majority of traditional small-business loans.
However, they’re not as affordable as SBA because they’re not protected by the SBA guarantee. In the absence, the SBA assurance also implies that the credit criterion for traditional small-business loans is quite strict.
In order to qualify for a conventional loan from an insurance agency, You’ll need (at a minimum) an extensive history, outstanding credit, and an extremely low ratio of debt to income. If you are financially strong traditional loans can be an excellent way to expand the size of your insurance business.
3. Personal business loan
If you’re in the middle of a bad credit score or do not have a long track record in business, private loans could be a viable option for financing. They are offered by private businesses instead of banks and credit unions. Business loans that are private in nature tend to be more flexible and provide a greater variety.
Private business lenders are also subject to fewer rules and bureaucracy, so they can approve and approve loans quickly. Private loans are also more specialized. There are even private lenders who specialize in loans for insurance agencies.
However, because private business lenders are able to accept not-perfect financials, their fees tend to be higher than banks.
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How to Apply for an Insurance Agency Business Loan
The process for applying for business loans from insurance agencies is different depending on the lender and loan type. For instance, private business lenders typically need less paperwork than banks and SBA. But whatever loan you are applying for, you are likely to be legally required to:
- Complete an application.
- Maintain business and personal records.
- Share personal and company credit reports and scores.
For traditional loans, the majority of SBA loans, as well as some privately-owned loans, applicants will have to create an outline of their business. For more information on the process of applying for a business loan go through The Complete Guide to Getting the small Business Credit.
How to Use Your Insurance Agency Loan
Finding the best financing for your business is just the beginning. The next step is to ensure that you get the most value for your money. This requires careful review of your most lucrative growth opportunities. For you to get off on the right track here are some suggestions on how to use the loan money:
- Train new employees or hire existing employees
- Extend your insurance coverage
- Create an advertisement campaign or extend an existing campaign
- Upgrade your computer equipment
- Make investments in new software that will improve efficiency and/or digitalize processes
- Have extra cash available to cover future expenses
Is a Business Loan Right for Your Insurance Agency?
If you’re an owner of an insurance company and require a significant cash injection to expand your company, a service business loan could help boost your business’s success. Of course, this is dependent on whether you get approved and can afford regular payments.
If you decide to take an insurance-related business credit or otherwise, we advise looking at different possibilities. It’s not that you shouldn’t make the best choice but it’s essential to know the various financing options available to businesses.
