Veterans Coverage?

[pcbinsurance]

Be careful when "advising" a Veteran of what they have. There are many classifications of Veterans and the benefits are different for each. Most will not have a burial "policy" to show you.

If you, as an agent, are not familiar with all the guidelines, please have prospect contact the VA for clarification at 800-827-1000.

http://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/burials/Burial.pdf

http://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/burials/flag.pdf

 

[WinoBlues]

I don't know, I thought the only two categories were died during service or after.

I think what you are referring to is died in a VA hospital or not. Makes a difference. Also if it was a service related cause of death. For the vast majority of us it is going to just be the plot of land in the National Cemetery with military honors. Transportaion of the Vet to the cemetery is on the family also.. There may also be a small marker stipend.

Vol's link is your best resource.

EDIT> post crossed with the others - What they said.

 

[jayjones41]

profithuner...war time veterans can also apply for a long term care benefit. VA allows a benefit for the veteran and reduced benefit for the spouse.

 

[profithuner]

Guys, i think you've run off the road and into the tall grass on this one. It does not matter if he died in the hospital or not, or during wartime or not, because if he did, "hoosierlife" wouldnt be cold calling him!! And no Long term product pays a death benefit!

 

[jayjones41]

I did not say it mattered if he died, really don't think a person who is capable of using the internet effectively is stupid enough to think he is talking to a dead person. I was trying to add some value to his call by letting him on a program that VA offers. I can see insurance forums are just like any other message board.

 

[VolAgent]

profithuner...war time veterans can also apply for a long term care benefit. VA allows a benefit for the veteran and reduced benefit for the spouse.

The link I posted defines the death benefit for veterans. It isn't much even if it is service related. $3,000 plus a plot. That isn't going to cut it for many. Hoosier would be doing these veterans a favor by selling them a FE policy. The reality is, most will never want to accept the fact the VA isn't going to pay for it. He's better off thanking them for their service and moving on when they won't agree to an appointment.

Cold calling is all about finding those that want help now. Trying to convince some vet that he really needs coverage isn't going to put any money in Hoosier's pocket any time soon.

 

[pcbinsurance]

Precisely Vol.

Once they tell you that the VA has taken care of their funeral, you should sincerely thank them for their service to our country, and then focus on using the proceeds to pay other final expenses and maybe leave a little behind for the survivors.

 

[oclife]

I'm a USMC veteran, and i was put in charge to find out info for a burial of a friend and fellow marine. The VA will give a vet $300 (versus the $255 from Social Security). They will provide a flag and a burial plot if buried in a va approved cemetary. They do not pay for preparation of thr remains, the transportation of the remains (unless to a VA facility) and they do noy pay for the casket. My friend's family still had a funeral bill over $6,000. Most veterans that think the VA will foot the bill is misinformed. The hard part is convincing them they are!

Not to mention the plot if it's available at all, would be a stacked plot meaning on top of each other burial plot.

 

[VolAgent]

This brings up one of the biggest secrets in insurance.

STOP FIGHTING PEOPLE!

Most people have preconceived notions about something. Often exactly what you are looking to sell. But we get paid to sell, not to educate. Yes, educating is part of selling, but why in the world are you butting heads with a prospect if you don't have to?

Don't lie, don't mislead and don't deceive, but if you can have a conversation and sell your product without having to directly confront their head trash, why in the world are you butting heads with them?

You will burn out of this business, broke and despondent if you insist on fighting your prospects. It is their money and no matter how much you tell them they are wrong, they don't want to hear it. Either present in a way that doesn't attack their beliefs or find another prospect.

 

[shonceman]

Josh, Vol is right. If you're cold calling, you need to get off the phone quickly and on to the next "yes" response. Don't try to sell over the phone, stick to your script, and definitely don't get into any debates.

You may be tempted to think that you're wasting names, but you're not. You can call that same list again in 6 months, and some of the same people who said "no" the first time through will say "yes" the next time.

I don't think there's a problem, though, in quickly telling the vet that some of those programs have changed, & they should check to see if that affects them. On an appointment, on the other hand, I would have the page ready in my track book that Vol linked you to, in case you run into a veteran that's shutting you down while his wife's begging him to listen to you! (Still wouldn't get in a debate with him, though. That's HER JOB!)