Contracting and Background Check Questions

[The Fizz]

I'm a newly licensed agent in California. I originally intended to produce for Family First Life. While requesting contracts, I was asked if I'd ever been arrested. Unsure of how to answer, I responded truthfully and admitted that yes, I was arrested once, decades ago, I wasn't convicted, and I filed a petition to seal and destroy on the arrest, which was granted. I explained what happened and submitted documentation saying that in no way can the arrest be used against me. Perhaps this was a mistake because I was immediately denied by Americo because of the information I disclosed. I called them and I was told that the arrest violates their contract terms. I asked how that could be, considering it has been sealed. Unsure of how to answer me, the man told me to email a certain person at Americo for clarification, which I did, but I never heard back. I told the woman from FFL who was supposed to help me with onboarding what had happened and I never heard back from her. I told both my uplines and I never heard back from them (not that I ever heard from them anyway; whoever they were).

I'm very confused. Can Americo deny me because I disclosed that I had an arrest expunged? Should I have answered NO to that question? How does this affect me down the road now that the information has been uploaded to SuranceBay and can't be deleted? Can I go with another agency and start over? What do I do about the other carriers who accepted my contracting request? Do I cancel my E&O Coverage?

I have so many questions but nobody to help me get them answered, so here I am. I'm devastated because it looks like the end of the road for me and FFL since they heavily rely on peddling Americo. Even if everything worked out, I don't think I could look someone in the eye and sell them an Americo policy.

Where do I go from here? I'm a single mom and I put all this time and effort into a new career and I feel it just blew up in my face.

 

[Newby]

I'm a newly licensed agent in California. I originally intended to produce for Family First Life. While requesting contracts, I was asked if I'd ever been arrested. Unsure of how to answer, I responded truthfully and admitted that yes, I was arrested once, decades ago, I wasn't convicted, and I filed a petition to seal and destroy on the arrest, which was granted. I explained what happened and submitted documentation saying that in no way can the arrest be used against me. Perhaps this was a mistake because I was immediately denied by Americo because of the information I disclosed. I called them and I was told that the arrest violates their contract terms. I asked how that could be, considering it has been sealed. Unsure of how to answer me, the man told me to email a certain person at Americo for clarification, which I did, but I never heard back. I told the woman from FFL who was supposed to help me with onboarding what had happened and I never heard back from her. I told both my uplines and I never heard back from them (not that I ever heard from them anyway; whoever they were).

I'm very confused. Can Americo deny me because I disclosed that I had an arrest expunged? Should I have answered NO to that question? How does this affect me down the road now that the information has been uploaded to SuranceBay and can't be deleted? Can I go with another agency and start over? What do I do about the other carriers who accepted my contracting request? Do I cancel my E&O Coverage?

I have so many questions but nobody to help me get them answered, so here I am. I'm devastated because it looks like the end of the road for me and FFL since they heavily rely on peddling Americo. Even if everything worked out, I don't think I could look someone in the eye and sell them an Americo policy.

Where do I go from here? I'm a single mom and I put all this time and effort into a new career and I feel it just blew up in my face.

Your Upline can likely over ride it and get you appointed if they want to.
BUT Americo is not a company that is important anyway. If they are the only one declining you, who cares. But I know at FFL they chop your commission levels pretty low on the good companies so it makes Americo look more attractive on paying the regular street commission level. But that’s only an issue at FFL. You can appoint with the other companies through the other IMOs and get much higher commissions than what FFL offers.
But if you really see a need for Americo if what you are disclosing is the only issue, yes your Upline should be able to get that pushed through.

 

[The Fizz]

Wow, thank you for that. Certainly tells you a lot about my upline, doesn't it? I joined a behemoth of a group at FLL, and I went seeking them out so I don't think I was ever of value to anyone. And yes, that one instance is the only issue I had, not even a traffic violation in over 25 years. I've also learned that from here on out I can honestly answer NO to the question about ever being arrested. Thank goodness.

I'm grateful you took the time to explain it to me, and curious about other IMOs out there that I can feel proud to be a part of. I'll continue to keep my eyes and ears open and pray that the right opportunity presents itself to me.

 

[Cornelius]

In the insurance industry things happen. Did you you contact corporate contracting at the home office? If not give them a call.

Don't give up yet because what your going through can just be a stumbling block. As for your upline I can't comment but rather than depending on someone else you can go to the source on your own.

So contact corporate and go from there.

 

[Life Hawk]

Wow, thank you for that. Certainly tells you a lot about my upline, doesn't it? I joined a behemoth of a group at FLL, and I went seeking them out so I don't think I was ever of value to anyone. And yes, that one instance is the only issue I had, not even a traffic violation in over 25 years. I've also learned that from here on out I can honestly answer NO to the question about ever being arrested. Thank goodness.

I'm grateful you took the time to explain it to me, and curious about other IMOs out there that I can feel proud to be a part of. I'll continue to keep my eyes and ears open and pray that the right opportunity presents itself to me.

That is why the forum is so important. Study up a bit here. Dirty laundry is aired here like no other place, and that is so important for new agents so that they can get around the FMO/IMO/company learning curve as quickly as possible.

I think the answer to your question may be creating more questions then answers, and that is where you want to be at the moment. I have some questions of my own I'm processing through at the moment.

 

[Real_AMG]

You dodged a bullet if you ask me. If I were you, I would contact a real agency, such as FEX Contracting(known as Newby on the forum) and create a real business plan.

 

[The Fizz]

You dodged a bullet if you ask me. If I were you, I would contact a real agency, such as FEX Contracting(known as Newby on the forum) and create a real business plan.

Yeah, I spent hours on the FEX website a few months back. That guy is sharp as all get out. I like that. I also eyed Duford. I think I'm done with FFL. I wan't something I can be proud to be a part of.

ETA: Aaaand just now noticed the guy I just spoke of is the same one who answered my original question. That's awesome.

 

[Cornelius]

If any carrier other ask if you have ever been arrested and you say no the same issue may rear it's head again.

If not for the personal issue would you still be looking at making a change? Did you contact the contracting department at the home office and explain your situation?

I'm not saying stay or go but things happen.

 

[Lawsonhj1]

I would say don't lie and give minimum details.
"Decades ago in approximate year XXXX I was falsely arrested and never convicted (charge were dropped sounds better). Neither I or the blank county superior court have any records.