by hurtarte30 » Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:27 pm
I plan to make a career change, I have decided I want to sale insurance for a living. I have some sales experience but I have never sold insurance before. I am considering starting my career with Aflac, but I would like to get some feedback regarding Aflac as my first option. I have been told that I should look into other insurance companies, I have gone to the state farm and Allstate websites but it seems that they are only looking for people that want to open an office. Any feedback, especially from experienced agents, will be greatly appreciated.
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 07:59 am Post Subject: aflac is a good company with good products but bad agents
aflac as a whole offers good product range for untapped market needs. it gives you money that you can use to cover your bills when you suddenly get disabled & can't work. they have different policies that cater to different health issues like cancer, diabetes, etc.
the thing about working for aflac is connection. you have to understand that you work as an agent, an independent contractor, hence not a salaried employee of aflac. they will give you training tools and maybe a couple of fieldwork and endorsements with your district coordinator. they will tell you the potential of the products and the untapped segment. they will initially tell you to do cold calling and door-to-door to small business owners to get you acquainted with the system. I did mention CONNECTION. expect to have your friends/families as first clients.they may refer you to their business owner-friends. Expect to work and encounter BAD AGENTS. you all swim in the muddy pond. there are no territories. it's pretty common to hear some companies badmouthing the agents they met. disorganized system. and since education is not impt, there are agents working below standards.so if you're looking for a "corporate" & well- mannered environment, this may not be for you. survival of the fittest, not for the weak of heart. obviously, I quit because I'm an impressionist by nature, & i did not like what i see and experience.
Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 05:58 pm Post Subject:
Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 05:58 pm Post Subject:
Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 06:15 pm Post Subject: Aflac
Dont do it unless you have a part time income or a spouse who works full time. There are over 75,000 Aflac agents in U.S. We are our worst competition.
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 02:17 am Post Subject:
I think AFLAC is a good oppurtunity for a self-motivated person, ITs NOT easy, so dont just jump in and expect an immediate outcome. Be sure that there is an income supplimenting you while you open and prospect! But I would not trade this career for anything in the world, I work with one of the greatest teams in the entire world. and dont let the number of agents scare you. We have to have a huge number bc of the number of agents who dont make it!
SO good luck
Clinton Benninghoff
TexasWest
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 06:24 pm Post Subject:
the only thing about places like AFLAC and the other aforementioned companies is that they would hold you captive and you can miss out on a lot of opportunities to make more money by joining with them
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 03:11 am Post Subject: aflac and other insurance sales
There's some really good replies above! Also looking into insurance sales as a new career, I have found out a few things that may be of use to others:
1] most sales agents are considered 1099's or Independent contractors. taxes are based on your costs, business licenses, and the first couple of years or more, can be exhorbitant. Think of your whole income going to the IRS.
2] you're working for a company, selling company wares, but as a 1099, you're almost entirely up against the wall/cell that you built for yourself.
3] turnover is high as is competition. many places being as high as 95-98% attrition.
4] some may give you leads at first, but sales cuotas are set by management for sales, and once the free leads run out, either you have a network to get your own and meet cuoats, or you have to buy leads from your competitors above; leads that aren't easy pickings.
5] most insurance sales require an insurance license or accreditation. while some outfits allow you to work and learn, many require you to go to school and get the license first, then come around and apply for a job. Again, 3 years of school, and if you don't like the job afterwards, you're the one stuck, not your company.
6] CHECK OUT YOUR COMPANY ON STANDARD & POOR. You'll see for yourself what's hype and what's truth. Think of every company mentor or counselor as some sort of used car sales conman, for you're going to get a load of goods, and they're going to get a check.
Understand, there are some good outfits out there, but not many. some that take on new people and pay their business expenses are Farmer's Ins; AAA; Aflac, and a few others. watch out for Bankers life or Insphere which are old dogs with a new name.
If you're looking for a stable commission job, try durable goods. better than the dog eat dog world of insurance
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 11:55 pm Post Subject:
Aflac is not a captive company, however I worked for Aflac and managed to stay there for 4 years. Work ethics definately play a rol in succeeding but I must say I was blessed that I had people willing to go out with me in the field and a trainer in the office who went over products. But in regards to upper management they were the worse and unfortunately set the tone for individuals in the office to be cutthroat. You also have to be financially secure in taking role like this, take a part-time job
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 09:34 pm Post Subject:
Does anyone know what the market is like for Anchorage,AK ? I've been recruited by Aflac here but prior to starting I have to take and pass my tests before any real training begins. I've never been in sales or the insurance business, however I'm really excited about this opportunity but very skeptical at the same time.
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 01:37 am Post Subject:
Have to make a couple of "corrections" on doug e dog's comment and post. While I appreciate your coming to the forum and making comment, please make sure you're accurate in your statements.
First... about this:
most sales agents are considered 1099's or Independent contractors. taxes are based on your costs, business licenses, and the first couple of years or more, can be exhorbitant. Think of your whole income going to the IRS.
Most sales agents are not 1099 contracted employees. There are definitely certain carriers who are 1099 companies, but this is definitely not the majority by any stretch. The costs that you mention are tax deductions and lessen your taxable income for the 1099 worker. Your whole income going to the IRS is ludicrous.
Next is this
turnover is high as is competition. many places being as high as 95-98% attrition.
First off, this is inaccurate and has no basis included for the statistics. Where did you get these numbers? Intimating a 95-98% turnover rate means nothing without qualifying and accompanying information. If you take your statement on it's simplest basis, you're saying this: For every 100 agents hired by xxx insurer, 98 of them terminate their employment. That means nothing. You could just as easily say that every company on the planet and every position in the world has a 100% "attrition" rate as everyone dies, which means you have "attritioned" so-to-speak. So, please qualify/quantify your statistics.
Onward and forward:
most insurance sales require an insurance license or accreditation. while some outfits allow you to work and learn, many require you to go to school and get the license first, then come around and apply for a job. Again, 3 years of school, and if you don't like the job afterwards, you're the one stuck, not your company.
All states require insurance licensing before a person can sell, solicit or negotiate any kind of insurance. Not one exception. While you will have to get your license, it's certainly not going to take 3 years, unless you're a complete and utter moron. You must meet the requirements as laid out by the state, and most states require a minimum of 20 hours of education per line of insurance (20 hours for life insurance, 20 hours for property, etc.) and pass an examination before you can get your license to sell. There are quite a few states that don't even require any prelicense education- you just have to pass a test. 3 years? I don't think so. Many of the higher-end companies also pay for this education so the costs are not borne by the student. On the other hand, a lot of carriers make the student pay for the education process. Those are usually the lower-end companies.
Finally, this:
Understand, there are some good outfits out there, but not many. some that take on new people and pay their business expenses are Farmer's Ins; AAA; Aflac, and a few others. watch out for Bankers life or Insphere which are old dogs with a new name.
Aflac does not generally pay the expenses associated with licensing or continuing education. The shots at Bankers and Insphere are cheap (well, kind of) and I'd like to hear your ideas of why you should "watch out for them."
InsTeacher 8)
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