Aflac is a SCAM you pay them to work!

Thank You Shih Tzu Lover, I will take your friendly advice and heed your warning. :-)

good luck with your Aflac career

I am relocating and need to find work right away. I was considering pursuing a career with Aflac but after reading the comments on this forum I am torn. Some people say it's a terrible place to work and it's a scam and then others say that it's a great place to work. I need to find out if this is the right company for me. Can someone answer just a few questions for me? Is it a lot of cold calling because I don't feel that's for me and is it strictly commission based? Do you have to purchase a $3000 laptop? Thanks!

It is all door knocking at small businesses.
It is strictly commission.
You do have to get a laptop and get through the laptop training as quickly as possible.
Learn all about the policies and applications as fast as you can so you don't have to share your commission.

I do not believe the people who say they are making a boat load of money.
I got these responses at businesses:

You people are here every week.
I hate aflac.
I had too many billing problems.
I already had a sales rep give a presentation and my employees don't want it.
I don't want to make the payroll deduction and send in the premiums.

Many people do not have health insurance and they (rightly) do not see this as an alternative. Something is better than nothing is not a good sales pitch. People need comprehensive coverage.

On the other hand, Aflac has disability, life, and dental which most people need. The dental is expensive though.

Josehine in Minnesota said: It is all door knocking at small businesses.
It is strictly commission.
You do have to get a laptop and get through the laptop training as quickly as possible.
Learn all about the policies and applications as fast as you can so you don't have to share your commission.

I do not believe the people who say they are making a boat load of money.
I got these responses at businesses:

You people are here every week.
I hate aflac.
I had too many billing problems.
I already had a sales rep give a presentation and my employees don't want it.
I don't want to make the payroll deduction and send in the premiums.

Many people do not have health insurance and they (rightly) do not see this as an alternative. Something is better than nothing is not a good sales pitch. People need comprehensive coverage.

On the other hand, Aflac has disability, life, and dental which most people need. The dental is expensive though.

Thank you for your help! I think I am going to go in another direction.

Josehine is right about this:
It is all door knocking at small businesses.
It is strictly commission.
Josehine is way wrong about this:
I do not believe the people who say they are making a boat load of money.
I corrected Josehine a few weeks ago. I'm making a $HITLOAD of money, not a boatload. You can believe it or not... I'm on track to write $360,000.00 in premium my 1st year. Ive already wrote $130,000.00 of premium in my 1st 15 weeks. Conservatively I'll make $100,000.00 this year. Not bad considering I work Mon-Thurs 8a-5p and Friday 8a-2p. Im off all weekends and holidays.

A little help to make you money in ANY sales job:

You people are here every week. Reply - Thanks for waiting for me! Overcome the objection or move on. If you can't overcome that tiny easy objection, sales isn't for you.

I hate Aflac. - Why?

I had too many billing problems. - Sounds like an Agent problem. Service your accounts correctly and that will not be a problem.

I already had a sales rep give a presentation and my employees don't want it. - EASY objection to overcome. Present them a Flex plan. Show the business owner how just by having Aflac he will save his business 7.65% in FICA taxes. He will then shove Aflac down the employees throat. If that doesn't work, say thanks, move on and come back on 2 or 3 months.

I don't want to make the payroll deduction and send in the premiums. - They will if they are saving 7.65% FICA tax on a Cafeteria Plan.

Many people do not have health insurance and they (rightly) do not see this as an alternative. WRONG! Many people DO see this as an alternative. Many are GRATEFUL to have an inexpensive way to provide SOME relief in bad times.

What is kind of funny, notice how I put a positive swing to Josehines Doom and Gloom? The difference between Josehine and I.... I'm very successful at this because I LOVE overcoming objections, Josehine gripes and moans and throws in the towel.
.

good for you couch if you can change a business owner's mind after they have already had a bad experience with aflac.
There is one thing I couldn't do - mislead people into putting together a bunch of aflac supplemental policies to make a mini med. Plan. Yes, it does give them a "little" relief, but it is not cheap. What if the person became seriously ill? He/she would be better advised to seek out comprehnsive insurance.

You are correct. Aflac isn't major medical, nor does it try to be. If someone can afford major medical, by all means get that first. Aflac is by design a medical supplement. However, for about $80.00 a month, someone can cover their family with some kind of insurance. Aflac will give relief to someone who is out of work due to an accident or sickness. It gives the insured the ability to let the money go where they want it to go. If they dont have any insurance, they are just plain screwed.
When I talk someone who wants medical insurance, I tell them up front, THIS IS NOT MAJOR MEDICAL. I offer to reefer them to a broker I work with if that's what they want. When they tell me they can't afford major medical, I show the the Accident Policy and the Hospital Indemnity. Does it cover everything? Not by a long shot, and I'm sure to let them know that. Does it provide some kind of affordable monetary relief? It sure does.

Good recovery couch. You need to use more caution or you may reveal how you have become such a "successful" sales person. In your previous post. You suggested it was an alternative.
I

... As I did in the last post. Please re-read. I only offer this to people after I let them know that it is not a Major Medical plan, and they know full and well what Im offering.

I have signed with UIWIN - everyone starts at the same street level commissions and there are 6 ways to earn money in their compensation structure. This system is designed to help the 'average' agent achieve greater success in their career. Some of their carriers are: American Community, Assurant, AIG, Banner, WC Life, Forresters, Old Mutual, Mutual of Omaha, etc.

Contact me at matth@hamiltoncom.net for more information. I'm looking to build a team of agents throughout the U.S. I look forward to hearing from you.

AIG?? You better think twice before writing those worthless policies.

Get job, Couch.

I had a real one for 20 years already! Why can't I goof off for awhile?

Welcome to the wonderful world of sales.

Couch in London, Kentucky said: It's not easy to be "Fired" from Aflac. The only thing they can really do is pull your contract and report you to the insurance commissioner. I've said it elsewhere on here that I'm lucky to have an EXCELLENT hierarchy. I can see how this would SUCK if the support wasn't there, and KY-E was a dog-eat-dog environment.

I think aflac was a joke. I got suckered into this job. They feed me all this BS telling me I could do this while in college. Well long story short I opened up accounts and only had one or two chargebacks. Now I get a letter from scamflac telling me I owe over 400 for chargebacks when the upfront commissions were not even close! I do not think I am going to pay. I think my DSC put the whole policy on me when in fact he took more of the policy commission then I did.

golfer in Louisville, Kentucky said: I think aflac was a joke. I got suckered into this job. They feed me all this BS telling me I could do this while in college. Well long story short I opened up accounts and only had one or two chargebacks. Now I get a letter from scamflac telling me I owe over 400 for chargebacks when the upfront commissions were not even close! I do not think I am going to pay. I think my DSC put the whole policy on me when in fact he took more of the policy commission then I did.

I agree with you golfer, there's some shady things going on in the assflac realm.

It is unfortunate that so few people see this site.

I am still getting letterse from the legal department of AFLAC threatening to sue me for $600 in advanced commissions.

I was with them for a year, have NOTHING to show for it.

AFLAC SCAM! DON'T EVER GO THERE ! ! ! ! !

I was an Aflac agent for about 6 months, I made about 3k, nothing impressive, I was a fast start but my regional office was horrible, training was nonexistant it was about the sale not the follow up, they never taught me how to maintain policy's just sell.. I was alright at it.. but it was a very self centered environment. I went through a different insurance company to get my license.. all out of my pocket.. I must of spent about 1200 on license fees, classes, testing... I just recently was in a bad car wreck and I'm now unable to work.. funny thing is.. Aflac legal just sent me a letter saying I have 10 days to pay 2000, this isn't right. First I paid 1200 in fees to be an agent, than I pay taxes on commissions? out of 3000 I made it seems like I'll end up paying close to 4000 out of pocket... does that seem right to anyone? Aflac doesn't give a crap about it's agents.. your a number... If anyone knows how I can get out of that 2000- let me know.

That sounds like my story. I paid the chargebacks. I sold policies, made the fast start, but people canceled their policies. My district came along on sales calls and "mistakenly" put the policies in his name because I didn't have a computer of my own. I didn't always have access to the accounts in order to service them. I complained about the policies not being in my name and he told me he would take care of it. It didn't matter because people didn't want the policies soon after they bought them.

I have watched this forum off and on for a few weeks and I just signed up so I can join this conversation. Quick note about me: I am an insurance broker that provides life, health, property and casualty insurance to individuals and businesses. I am also contracted with AFLAC. Let me first say that I am pretty disappointed in alot of the things that former agents have had to say about the company. Your individual experience is largely related to the local office you worked out of and really does not portray an accurate picture of the company overall. You really should be fair and acknowledge such. As far as the merits of the policies go, I have sold a few and I have had the benefit of watching the AFLAC policies absorb the 20% of a 3 week hospital stay that a clients major medical insurance did not cover. If an individual is not oversold their policies by an overzealous agent then the policies are both affordable and very helpful. As far as the merits of the opportunity go, you are an independent business owner that is responsible for all of their own taxes and expenses. That will be the case anytime you are independent from a company. To the individual from Newburg, Oregon the commissions that you were paid did not have taxes taken from it when you received it. In every other job you have had you had to pay taxes, this one would be no different. The only change is that while doing this you have to pay the taxes yourself instead of your employer taking them from you and paying them for you.

Anyway, I just wanted to add my 2 cents...

I'm sorry bud, what was the end damage to you?

You are 100% right, and I appreciate you sticking up for Aflac, but basically what should change in my opinion is Aflac's direct ability to train new agents. The first year you're taught to sell.. that's it.. in that year they teach you a little about maintaining your clients but you are told that you're not responsible for the no pay rate, if it becomes a problem.. a seasoned agent will step in and help. My point was also that in my first 6 months with Aflac.. I worked hard, made fast start, signed a big company and made about 3000- to date I've paid out of pocket 5000.. that's not regional bs, that's corporate. I do know Aflac has helped alot of people, shoot, I even have policy's on my wife, but they have screwed me over at the worst time. I left for lack of training, and it sounds like you're telling me that "ignorance is not a defense".. well than what's the point of training? My district or regional should have my back.. but they don't... they knew.

I was called by an AFLAC admin who said They wanted to talk with me about a sales coord. job. I asked her what was this and all I got was, it deals with insurance and they would tell me more at the interview. Can someone tell me more about this position

mrjstauffer in Newberg, Oregon said: You are 100% right, and I appreciate you sticking up for Aflac, but basically what should change in my opinion is Aflac's direct ability to train new agents. The first year you're taught to sell.. that's it.. in that year they teach you a little about maintaining your clients but you are told that you're not responsible for the no pay rate, if it becomes a problem.. a seasoned agent will step in and help. My point was also that in my first 6 months with Aflac.. I worked hard, made fast start, signed a big company and made about 3000- to date I've paid out of pocket 5000.. that's not regional bs, that's corporate. I do know Aflac has helped alot of people, shoot, I even have policy's on my wife, but they have screwed me over at the worst time. I left for lack of training, and it sounds like you're telling me that "ignorance is not a defense".. well than what's the point of training? My district or regional should have my back.. but they don't... they knew.

The reason I pointed to a the local environment is because the lack of training is really a local issue. You are absolutely correct in that your regional and district coordinators should have you back and make sure that you have ALL the information you need to be successful. It sucks that this was not the case and I think they let you down. But again, the reason for me jumping into this conversation is to try to add an even handed view point to the 10 page bashing session. Just trying to give people another viewpoint so both sides of the conversation can be considered. Not so much trying to defend as I am trying to offer additional information.

john henr in Beaufort, North Carolina said: I was called by an AFLAC admin who said They wanted to talk with me about a sales coord. job. I asked her what was this and all I got was, it deals with insurance and they would tell me more at the interview. Can someone tell me more about this position

John - it's an entreprenurial opportunity not a job. Meaning, you are an independant agent that owns his book of business but writes through AFLAC. You will need to obtain your Health license (ideally your life license as well) in order to sell the products. (without the proper insurance license you can not sell or be paid commission from the sale of an insurance product). I have found it to be a tremendous opportunity and for any who is interested in the insurance industry AFLAC is a great company that pays good commissions and pays them quickly. The quality of your local office will contibute greatly to your success or failure (due to an abundance or lack of training and guidance) but ultimately your success (or failure) is up to you.

I think that is as about as honest as it gets.

V in Atlanta,Ga. in Norcross, Georgia said: My son work for Aflac and when he finally landed a big account, $200,000 in commissions and future residuals,his bosses delayed closing the deal for about two weeks.My son pleaded with his regional manager to help him finalize the deal. Another regional manager accidently landed this account in that two week time frame.AFLAC can take thier duck and put it where the sun does not shine. They are a great company

Well your son did not "LAND" the account or he would have had the paperwork signed and nobody else could have taken it from him and you say it was $200,000 in commission well there is no way of knowing that until after he really "Lands" the account and does the enrollment. So Basically your son was blowing smoke up your ..... just to make himself look good.

To V in Atlanta.... *Cough... BULLSMOKE... *Cough

As Monkey said, If in fact this happened, your son blew a serious load of smoke up your posterior! You need to buy a dump truck considering the load he gave you. Let us in the know tell you, if you believe what he told you, then you've been PUNKED! 100% garbage.

Brie0001 in Florida said: Is it possible to owe chargebacks after leaving AFLAC over a year ago (13 months to date)?

They claim I owe $800 but are willing to settle for $500.

Deal with it. You were self employed and you wrote bad business. You were not an employee!!!!! You are responsible for your sales.

Man, I love all these losers. Apparently the bad luck blew over when I came on board.... or maybe I'm willing to work the business as I was trained. Oh yeah, work means that you have to get out of bed before 8am in the morning and work until 5pm. Yep, it means that you must work it for more than a month to get decent results. UH-HUH, you need an outgoing personality to network efficiently. No, no.... 2 hour lunch breaks, trips to Walmart and the cleaners dont count and really aren't productive. Yeah, throwing your hands up and declaring your business a bust after a few weeks usually results in failure. Unfortunately, getting on here and crying about it makes you look like a loser.

Folks, stop whining. You failed, and some failed miserably. Funny thing is, I find this ridiculously easy and extremely financially rewarding. So, heed the warning.... STAY AWAY!! I don't want the competition.... not to say that any of the whiners on here would actually be any real competition....

Couch, if you are still on this board occasionally, would you mind posting or sending me your e-mail address? I'm considering an Aflac sales position in Florida and have a couple questions. Thanks in advance!

Recovering Journalist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: Couch, if you are still on this board occasionally, would you mind posting or sending me your e-mail address? I'm considering an Aflac sales position in Florida and have a couple questions. Thanks in advance!

Couch, had a brain cramp and didn't post my e-mail address, should you respond to my posting. It's ssniteowl@aol.com. Thanks again.

"Losers" good touch couch it sounds like you're the one who needs a personality... I hope you never get screwed over by AFLAC. When you try and train someone how to be in sales, and you forget the important detail that in the event you don't like what you do, if you quit we'll charge you a portion of everything you thought you made because I guess the rep with one years experience in insurance wasn't told that they are responsible for customer retention... make sure and tell them to their face how much of a loser they are. Don't be an insensitive prick.. The only reasons some sales reps like you get ahead is by "not giving the whole truth"- show some integrity... insurance companies and their reps don't get ahead by not being selfish. Congratulations on your success with being incredibly self centered. I hope it serves you well. Meanwhile, I'll try and put my education behind serving people instead of ripping them off. I served eight years active duty in the army.. show some respect when you talk to some folks, you have no right to assume you know what they are going through.. the best part of competing isn't winning.. it's being a good winner.-

AFLAC has excellent products and if you stick with it, by having some income until you pull in some money with AFLAC, it seems it can be really good for you.
However, 2 real big problems with AFLAC, from an agent standpoint:
Commission only: Particulary with all the classes you have to take starting out and the no leads, how the hell are you supposed to survive?
Why not have an average "new agent" salary during your first 60 to 90 days? That's how much you make during that time, if you make more than that average in sales, then defer the difference until you've been with the company for more than 1 year.
Or give the agent the option of going commission only for the first 2 to 3 months that way they get unlimited earnings, after that, if you are working hard enough, you should be able to survive on commission only pay.
Also, really, they have to stop hiring anyone with a pulse. It makes an agent feel real big (sarcasm) when they walk in or call a place and someone says, "you guys bug me all the time!"

Mrjstauffer... Thanks! If you were anywhere near me and wanted to talk, I'd have no problem calling you a loser to your face, if you are one anyway.

Im a retired Cop, of course I'm an insensitive prick. I had 20 years of training.

To imply that I lie to my prospective policy holders... Shame shame. You seem to think you know me. Ya, I think I'll include you in the "Loser" category.

OOOOOOOOOhhhh.... You spent 8 years in the Army. I spent 6 years in the Marines. Big deal, WHO CARES!

ss98662... You make some great points. I'd love to see what you propose become policy, but Aflac will never do that. You ask "How do you survive'? Well, you should start seeing some income within 2 or 3 weeks maximum. If you started any other job, it would take that long to get a paycheck. I guess I was lucky.

I could have guessed, you handled that well.. you made my point.

Couch in London, Kentucky said: Mrjstauffer... Thanks! If you were anywhere near me and wanted to talk, I'd have no problem calling you a loser to your face, if you are one anyway.

Im a retired Cop, of course I'm an insensitive prick. I had 20 years of training.

To imply that I lie to my prospective policy holders... Shame shame. You seem to think you know me. Ya, I think I'll include you in the "Loser" category.

OOOOOOOOOhhhh.... You spent 8 years in the Army. I spent 6 years in the Marines. Big deal, WHO CARES!

ss98662... You make some great points. I'd love to see what you propose become policy, but Aflac will never do that. You ask "How do you survive'? Well, you should start seeing some income within 2 or 3 weeks maximum. If you started any other job, it would take that long to get a paycheck. I guess I was lucky.

mrjstauffer in Newberg, Oregon said: I could have guessed, you handled that well.. you made my point.

Im glad I could accommodate you sir. Happy New Year!

So I just stopped working for Aflac after trying my hand at it for two months. I will give you my story from the beginning. I attended the first and second interviews then I was offered the job on the spot pending I passed the licensing test and attended sales school. I went home and began studying for the test and truly it wasn't difficult at all. Next I went to sales school which is held in MD every week. The first day of sales school myself and about 200 others learned how to cold market which is essentially telemarketing. The second day of sales school we learned how to warm market which could also be called selling to your friends and family. After sales school was over I started going to the Aflac office daily. I was given a username and password to goleads.com and told to set appointments. You are constantly forced to attend awful trainings which always seemed to end the same way "you need to make more calls". On top of the cold calling I participated in weekly leverage nights where I would call people and invite them to an interview like my first one. My first leverage night the office recruited 400 people to attend interviews that week. Here’s the problem I see with this job they want you to call approximately 1000 businesses a week and there are thousands of other Aflac agents in the region calling the same exact companies. This job is the most frustrating thing I ever done and unless you are willing to bother your friends and family asking them to buy Aflac then you will probably not be successful. You can say I didn’t try hard enough or I didn’t give it enough time but in my opinion this job is awful. However this is my opinion and I did meet a few people who were pretty successful so just take this as one persons experience.

There is something everyone should know.... each state operates differently. Many of the things Joe talked about I have never heard about. We dont "cold market" or "warm market" here in Kentucky. I've never heard of leverage nights either. I've NEVER called on 1000 businesses a week. All you have to do is talk to 40 people (Not businesses) a day to be successful, and that's only in the beginning. Now, I'm not in any way calling Joe a liar, I'm just saying things are done differently from state to state.

As you can see, this is not for everyone. If you're not extroverted, you more than likely wont make it. If you dont believe in your heart that you will be successful, This isnt for you. This is for self starting go-getter's that have a enterprising spirit. If you are here thinking this is just a job, you need not apply.

Well, gee whiz, I am sitting on the Aflac fence right now. I don't particularly like the idea of commission-only jobs, but guess what? Go to State Farm, Allstate, etc., to sell insurance and the rule is, if you don't sell, you don't get paid. My one concern is honesty and that I'll get my due for what I actually do. Quite frankly, you can go to your state insurance society/board and get licensed, then sell insurance anywhere you can get hired.

In my opinion, you have to have a certain level of knowledge, maturity, reasonable expectation and the go-getter attitude to sell anything successfully. I will keep a close eye on Aflac though before I make the leap.

Suddenly Skeptical

Timeshavechanged, you are very right. You sound very level-headed and will be successful wherever you go. Keep a close eye on Aflac and make sure its for you before you make the leap. I wish you the best!

Hi Couch,

Thanks so much for your sentiments! As I was reading the comments the other night, I found a lot to be totally hysterical; I was actually bellied over with laughter. It was entertaining as well as educational. I actually spent a few hours reading it as an educational tool. You can gain knowledge through any medium; good and bad. I also got two impressions:

1. Most Alfac recruits were younger than 30 years and didn't understand the sales rites of passage .
2. All the intelligent responses were from Aflac affiliates.

In sales, you've got to know the fundamentals for optimum success and gain more of what you know about sales through self-education - studying your craft.

I am an Aflac agent and yes it is commission only which is hard at times. Some months I do extremely well $5000 in a month but some months are $1000 or less. Yes it is true you get out of it what you put into it, meaning if you sit at home your not going to make anything you have to put in at least 8 hours a day. I do have to warn people who are looking into Aflac right now, because times are hard for almost everyone that makes it very very hard on Aflac agents. Yes we tell people that with money being so tight this is deff. the time they need Aflac but when you are needing every dime you make to get by on they are willing to take the risk of not having Aflac and just hope they never need it. So with that being said just remember that Aflac is a good company to work for but if you need a consistent income please think before you do this because like I said times are very hard right now.

Dear Monkey69,

I want to give you a standing ovation for your bluntness! Honesty is almost extinct; every recruiter should simply say what you did, instead of just trying to get new agents and tell us what you just told the forum. People do not take into consideration that just as you mentioned, money is tight for everyone; not just tight for customers, but for would-be agents who have to pay for licensing and background checks. There are other variables that I could mention, but as you said, reliance on a steady paycheck during this economic time is critical for most. Thanks again.

Timeshavechanged

mike in Kansas City, Missouri said: if your white

what the.... are you serious?! my #1 account opener is black! let it go.

Does anyone have anAflac SBG computer for sale?

contact me: drdan1037@yahoo.com

Joe K, your story sounds like mine. I gave it a try for a couple of months and here's what I observed. New recruits always begin by selling to friends and family. But because they're new, the recruiters help present and close the deal, which of course the recruiter gets a percentage. The new recruit is only a means necessary to get in the door to these businesses (friends & family) AFLAC normally couldn't get into. After that, the new agents were totally forgotten; given lead lists that have been recycled a hundred times. Honestly, they will hire ANY Joe off the street (no offense Joe K) :) because if they can make just one sale off of just one Joe, it was worth while for them. After that, they don't care if you stay or go. I was told though, that I could start off, right off the bat, recruiting agents and could begin getting a percentage of THEIR commission for THEIR leads. It all felt like a pyramid scheme and a scam. I quit.

Hi,

I am a District Sales Coordinator for Aflac in Rhode Island. I started with Aflac 5 1/2 years ago. We get an override for managing our team. We split business because we are doing all the work training, presenting, etc. The percentage we are allowed to take is only 30% - not very much for the amount of driving, gas, time and training we give. Perhaps other Districts, Regions and States are different.

Of course, tell people to sell their "Warm Network" - why would you train someone to ignore the easier sell why they are learning how to prospect, that would be irresponsible. In addition, if you believe in the product you sell, wouldn't you want to share it with people you care about?

That is forgotten in all these posts, we help people in their greatest timez of need.

It may seem that we hire anyone, at least in my area we do not! It may seem we target people to get their one or two accounts, we do not - it's not worth the effort.

Aflac is about a lot of hard work, something I don't see a lot of associates who come on board,willing to do. Also, this work is not for everyone.

Anyone have an Aflac SNG computer for sale?

Thanks,
Dan

I agree,

However, my DSC lied to and cut me out of a large enrollment because I did not have asn SNG computer (of which she sold used ones but never offered one to me). Plus, not being sexist, I never liked working under a woman. The other guy in my class got to be with a male who made sure his new rep had good locations, etc. My lady was flippant and not always available when needed. Once, I was stationed in a room full of potty chairs at a hospital for a large enrollment while others enjoyed more favorable locations. I left that enrollment needless to say. The established agents got the best locations for sales....not potty chair rooms.

Many of the other comments about the turnover of agents is true....nobody cares about you until you are making money for them. I'll try to poke at it here and there while working at other jobs. I got really screwed out of a large school district group due to local politics. Also, I have a group where the owner is not making his monthly payment. The bummer with Aflac is that the policies are great but cannot be purchased at the same price unless in a group. And, the life insurance is much higher than competitors. The "group" thing is a real problem.

Whatever....