My personal experience with Aflac
- Thread starter STIBROKER
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DaddyRabbit
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Re: Working for Aflac?
I dont believe they rely on agents for leads but for orphaned accounts to add to their book. Every week our area newsletter welcomes 2 or 3 new agents. Thats 100-150 new agents a year (and we're just 1 of about 5 or 6 districts in this metro). Figure conservatively that 75% wash out but write at least 1 group before they go. That builds the upstream pretty quick. There's no downside to putting as many agents (qualified or not) on the street as possible. Its our time, our gas and other expenses.
I wish I had a TomTom or other GPS device that could magically display in real time all AFLAC agents currently on the street. I get the feeling they are all around me. Probably pass them in buildings and on the street constantly.
Its really frustrating when you walk into a business only to find out they already have AFLAC. Talk about looking STUPID. But there's no list of accounts we can see to eliminate that. WTF? (Thats ok, I have unlimited time to waste).
DR
I dont believe they rely on agents for leads but for orphaned accounts to add to their book. Every week our area newsletter welcomes 2 or 3 new agents. Thats 100-150 new agents a year (and we're just 1 of about 5 or 6 districts in this metro). Figure conservatively that 75% wash out but write at least 1 group before they go. That builds the upstream pretty quick. There's no downside to putting as many agents (qualified or not) on the street as possible. Its our time, our gas and other expenses.
I wish I had a TomTom or other GPS device that could magically display in real time all AFLAC agents currently on the street. I get the feeling they are all around me. Probably pass them in buildings and on the street constantly.
Its really frustrating when you walk into a business only to find out they already have AFLAC. Talk about looking STUPID. But there's no list of accounts we can see to eliminate that. WTF? (Thats ok, I have unlimited time to waste).
DR
- 943
Re: Working for Aflac?
You should get contracted with other Indemnity plans, and go replace AFLAC business with your new companies...
You should get contracted with other Indemnity plans, and go replace AFLAC business with your new companies...
- 4,132
Re: Working for Aflac?
"I dont believe they rely on agents for leads but for orphaned accounts to add to their book"
BE AWARE! that is not just a AFLAC trend. When you interview look around, ask how many 1st, 2nd and 3rd year people they have vs. how many have come through the doors in that time... I started with a big name NY based company and I experienced the same ####. Some senior agents are very, very helpful and they want you to successfully fail.. that is do well enough to creates some clients for them when you leave.
LOOK AROUND. Talk with the newbies and ask them how they feel about things. How they are treated is how you will be treated. Good luck and you'll find something, just don't believe everything your're told.
"I dont believe they rely on agents for leads but for orphaned accounts to add to their book"
BE AWARE! that is not just a AFLAC trend. When you interview look around, ask how many 1st, 2nd and 3rd year people they have vs. how many have come through the doors in that time... I started with a big name NY based company and I experienced the same ####. Some senior agents are very, very helpful and they want you to successfully fail.. that is do well enough to creates some clients for them when you leave.
LOOK AROUND. Talk with the newbies and ask them how they feel about things. How they are treated is how you will be treated. Good luck and you'll find something, just don't believe everything your're told.
Re: Working for Aflac?
I think 95% would be a more accurate conservative estimate. When I left, I had a number of pending appointments and they hounded me for a couple of weeks to get the info on those appointments and other leads that I had. This illustrated to me that I was nothing but a free source of leads for them.
I think 95% would be a more accurate conservative estimate. When I left, I had a number of pending appointments and they hounded me for a couple of weeks to get the info on those appointments and other leads that I had. This illustrated to me that I was nothing but a free source of leads for them.
Re: Working for Aflac?
Set Aflac aside for a moment. The reality is, most new agents don't survive to see a 1 year anniversary of starting their career. Of those that make 1 year, few make 5 years. Overall, it's one of the worse industries for people making it a long term career.
Of those that survive 5 years, they tend to do extremely well.
Why is this? My opinion, but I know there is some truth here... Many people start because they want to work for themselves, eliminating structure and the boss, not realizing that structure is what will make them successful. They work 2 hours a day, complain for 4, and have a 3 hour lunch. Some do okay, but, the unpredictibability of a paycheck has their spouse driving them to get a significant raise is flip burgers at McDonalds. Some (many) just decide they don't like the profession. It's a lot tougher than it looks from the outside.
Now, that is your everyday agent, working for almost any company. My guess is over 75% of agents wash out before they sell 2 policies. I don't have any way to prove this, but I know it's an amazingly high number.
People who survive 5 years have shifted their business and their lifestyle. P&C agents by then are pretty well established with a book of business. Life and Health agents have a book to work, and renewals coming in. You've developed a structure that works for your lifestyle.
Now, about Aflac.
I've been appointed with them as an independent for forever, never sold a policy. I have people ask from time to time, which is why I got appointed, but in the end, they don't want to spend the money. I only mention this, because I think Aflac has some decent products, if sold properly, for the right reason. There are other alternatives out there, but they all have pros and cons.
Aflac doesn't really screen anyone out. They seem to take anyone who quacks at the door, or can waddle into the office. Because they don't discriminate coming in, their turnover will be much higher than average. I know other carriers who do the same thing (try Mega for one, very high turnover). On the opposite end, you have companies like State Farm that have a gruelling process to get in the door, but, after you are in, have very low turnover.
I'd like to see Aflac be more honest about the statements they make during the 'interview'. I'm not sure it would change what people hear.
I know that when I interviewed with New York Life, I was told I'd be making $250,000 a year. With State Farm, it was $200,000 a year, etc, etc. I knew just enough to push on those numbers a lot to understand them, and yes, they are acheivable, and agents do them, but very, very, very rarely in the first few years.
Aflac gives people a chance, which is a good thing. They just need to do more to make sure someone can survive the chance they are given. If they don't have resources to pay the rent next month, it probably isn't going to work.
Dan
Set Aflac aside for a moment. The reality is, most new agents don't survive to see a 1 year anniversary of starting their career. Of those that make 1 year, few make 5 years. Overall, it's one of the worse industries for people making it a long term career.
Of those that survive 5 years, they tend to do extremely well.
Why is this? My opinion, but I know there is some truth here... Many people start because they want to work for themselves, eliminating structure and the boss, not realizing that structure is what will make them successful. They work 2 hours a day, complain for 4, and have a 3 hour lunch. Some do okay, but, the unpredictibability of a paycheck has their spouse driving them to get a significant raise is flip burgers at McDonalds. Some (many) just decide they don't like the profession. It's a lot tougher than it looks from the outside.
Now, that is your everyday agent, working for almost any company. My guess is over 75% of agents wash out before they sell 2 policies. I don't have any way to prove this, but I know it's an amazingly high number.
People who survive 5 years have shifted their business and their lifestyle. P&C agents by then are pretty well established with a book of business. Life and Health agents have a book to work, and renewals coming in. You've developed a structure that works for your lifestyle.
Now, about Aflac.
I've been appointed with them as an independent for forever, never sold a policy. I have people ask from time to time, which is why I got appointed, but in the end, they don't want to spend the money. I only mention this, because I think Aflac has some decent products, if sold properly, for the right reason. There are other alternatives out there, but they all have pros and cons.
Aflac doesn't really screen anyone out. They seem to take anyone who quacks at the door, or can waddle into the office. Because they don't discriminate coming in, their turnover will be much higher than average. I know other carriers who do the same thing (try Mega for one, very high turnover). On the opposite end, you have companies like State Farm that have a gruelling process to get in the door, but, after you are in, have very low turnover.
I'd like to see Aflac be more honest about the statements they make during the 'interview'. I'm not sure it would change what people hear.
I know that when I interviewed with New York Life, I was told I'd be making $250,000 a year. With State Farm, it was $200,000 a year, etc, etc. I knew just enough to push on those numbers a lot to understand them, and yes, they are acheivable, and agents do them, but very, very, very rarely in the first few years.
Aflac gives people a chance, which is a good thing. They just need to do more to make sure someone can survive the chance they are given. If they don't have resources to pay the rent next month, it probably isn't going to work.
Dan
Nttwrkz LLC
Expert
- 17,059
Re: New York Life or AFLAC ?
Pretty much.
Sometimes I drink too.
Scott,
Is that all you do is eat?
Pretty much.
Sometimes I drink too.
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