UHC ICA Leads Questions

[CALTCAgent]

Hello,

Lets say an average Agent. I thinks it more than possible to be specific and give an average estimate, or range. I could easily answer that for LTC and/or annuities an area I am knowledgeable about.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Josh]

Hello,

Lets say an average Agent. I thinks it more than possible to be specific and give an average estimate, or range. I could easily answer that for LTC and/or annuities an area I am knowledgeable about.

Thanks in advance!

It depends on how many leads they're getting and how competitive the plan is. The Medicare Advantage market is much more inconsistent than most other products. The number really can be all over the place. I know a rep at Aetna that wrote over 3,000 applications in a single year and other agents are lucky to get 10 in a season because they don't get much lead support and can't generate their own business. If you're on the ICA program and only working their leads it could be ugly. If you really want to control how much business you're going to write you need to go completely indy and get your own lead system going.
You should ask the sales manager or other ICA's what their production experience has been to get the best answer for your area with that program. It sounds to me like you're wasting your time. Even when I'm training a new agent that's new to insurance they're ready to run leads in less than a week of training. With insurance sales experience, I'd send them out with leads after their first half day training with me.

 

[CALTCAgent]

Hello,

Thanks for the response.

Yes asking an UHC ICA Sales manager a question is a big waste of time.

Thanks!

 

[agentinsure]

the ica program is as bad or good as any captive program out there. The company gets your undivided attention, has you attend regular meetings to bolster the local corporate staff's ego, offers "leads" as a hook to those agents who are either unwilling or incapable of marketing and therefore shouldnt be in this business. Of course as an ICA your sucess will rise and fall on the backs of the ICA lead program then, that in itself is scarry. I once was a captive at FailState Insurance, at least they put their money where their mouth is but these guys expect you to even pay for your own frickin gas to go to a bunch of stupid meetings that have little to do with sales and more to about quarterly profits and company policies. "Show me the $$$".. I should of known better, actually I did, but ever an old dog like me just couldnt help myself licking at the bit about leads. Once again I am reminded why being a captive where the company is not incurring a major expense to have me around just downright SUCKS, for me the agent. sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks.

 

[CALTCAgent]

the ica program is as bad or good as any captive program out there.

What exactly does that mean? I am not familiar with how good or bad other programs are. My experience was that it was very bad in over promising regarding the lead program and not being able to plan properly because of believing the leads will be coming.

The company gets your undivided attention, has you attend regular meetings to bolster the local corporate staff's ego, offers "leads" as a hook to those agents who are either unwilling or incapable of marketing and therefore shouldnt be in this business.

They offered me leads and I am capable and willing to market myself, but they promised they had plenty of leads to give me.

Of course as an ICA your sucess will rise and fall on the backs of the ICA lead program then, that in itself is scarry. I once was a captive at FailState Insurance, at least they put their money where their mouth is but these guys expect you to even pay for your own frickin gas to go to a bunch of stupid meetings that have little to do with sales and more to about quarterly profits and company policies. "Show me the $$$".. I should of known better, actually I did, but ever an old dog like me just couldnt help myself licking at the bit about leads. Once again I am reminded why being a captive where the company is not incurring a major expense to have me around just downright SUCKS, for me the agent. sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks.

Sounds like you had the same experience as me. Go to regional meetings which were hours away, for very poor training at best. Be promised leads that was just a hook to bring you in. My recomendation stay away from UHC ICA program.

Thanks

 

[agentinsure]

You got! So did I.

BTW As good as any of the free leads or office furniture has they are all pushing out there, as bad as you already know.

I use to be with Allstate, that taught me to stay away from captives but for some reason I just couldnt resist the temptation again. Though I must admit I have heard good things about New York Life and Liberty Mutual for those who are new with regards to training and sales support, so I dont want to sound like I am lumping all the captives into the same pot here for any one new who may be reading. But yes, if you are getting on board with anyone because you think you will get to skip some of the work to being an insurance agent, I guess it's time for me to try and get a govt job.