Allstate plans 30 new Phila-area agencies

Allstate, the largest investor-owned U.S. retail insurer, says it plans to boost its total agency staff (agency owners, staff, and exclusive reps selling Allstate life, car, home, retirement and other products) across Pennsylvania by 260 this year, to 1,783. The expansion will include 63 new agency owners (30 in the Philly area).  The company is also targeting New England, Julia Reusch, a spokeswoman in Allstate's Malvern office, told me.

Allstate is targeting both Pennsylvania's aging population, and local markets where the economy is expanding. As agency owners, the company is looking for "mid-career, mid-level managers" with $50,000 to invest or a current sales license, who would own their own agencies to sell Allstate insurance and investment products, Ed Norcia, an Allstate manager in charge of "strategic deployment," said in a statement.

Allstate offers a $5,000 bounty for referrals of qualified agency owners or exclusives, payable on hire. "A property and casualty insurance background is not required," Norcia added. The company will train and provide some support. "They do need a strong entrepreneurial drive and passion to help others."