Agents that lie

[shonceman]

Yep. They will lie six ways to Sunday to throw us under the bus. And we all know who the kangaroo court will side with in the end.

When I start to ask health questions, I say, "I know you already told me that you only have a little blood pressure, but I always ask everybody these questions exactly as they're written on the application. Then if somebody ever says, 'the agent didn't ask me that', I can call some of my other clients to vouch for me."

It's just one more way to stress the importance of being honest on the application. And who knows, it might make somebody think twice about "throwing me under the bus" if they know I've already planned my defense!

 

[VolAgent]

When I start to ask health questions, I say, "I know you already told me that you only have a little blood pressure, but I always ask everybody these questions exactly as they're written on the application. Then if somebody ever says, 'the agent didn't ask me that', I can call some of my other clients to vouch for me."

It's just one more way to stress the importance of being honest on the application. And who knows, it might make somebody think twice about "throwing me under the bus" if they know I've already planned my defense!

I always ask them the questions as written, and I love recorded PHIs. Really hard to say they weren't asked the questions when there is a recording of them being asked and answered.

 

[DayTimer]

... and I love recorded PHIs. Really hard to say they weren't asked the questions when there is a recording of them being asked and answered.

Absolutely! I love recorded PHI's, especially when they happen when I am in the home and I get an approval before I leave.

 

[VolAgent]

Absolutely! I love recorded PHI's, especially when they happen when I am in the home and I get an approval before I leave.

That is great, but I was referring more to the CYA aspect. Many companies read a disclosure at the start of the call too, about what can happen if the answers are truthful. Really drives home, they knew the dangers of lying and did it anyway.

 

[DayTimer]

That is great, but I was referring more to the CYA aspect. Many companies read a disclosure at the start of the call too, about what can happen if the answers are truthful. Really drives home, they knew the dangers of lying and did it anyway.

I understood your CYA aspect - I just agreed with you, and added the extra bonus of "know before you go." I agree with you wholeheartedly!

 

[Migshannon]

I just left a guy who says he talked to another agent that quoted him lower than me. I checked and found she was quoting a nontobacco rate. I asked, "Did you tell her you smoke?" He said, "Yeah, but she said just to say no."

Now that's not nearly as bad as some of the cleansheeting I've seen. Like the guy I remember from years ago, when taking insulin was a bigger deal than it is now. Another agent had answered all the health questions "no". When I asked the client whether he told the agent about his diabetes, He said, "Yes, but he told me it won't matter as long as I live at least 2 years." The agent was betting against the contestable period, which is unfortunately not that uncommon.

My standard response is "If you answer a health question no when you know it should be yes, you may be causing your family a problem at claim time." I often follow that with, "Think about this: if the agent will lie to his company, he'll lie to you, too!" Sometimes that matters to them, sometimes not. What are some other ways to handle it when you encounter this kind of thing?

Come across this many times. I tell the client. Wow! So this agent can convince you to lie better than I can convince you, to tell the truth.