Combined Insurance, subsidiary of AON, offers full commissioned positions, but can you make it with the price of gas?

Recently Combined Insurance took me out for a day of calls on customers. The work seemed fun, but I am more concerned that after the newness wears off the cost of keeping the vehicle running may eat up all the straight commission work. Anyone have any experience with Combined Insurance Sales and have any comments to make about working for Combined?

RUN, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN- DO NOT EXCEPT A POSITION WITH THESE PEOPLE. THEY ARE ONLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT YOUR SALES ARE BECAUSE IF YOU SELL, THEY BENEFIT. FIND YOURSELF A SALES JOB, IF THAT IS YOUR THING, WITH A REPUTABLE COMPANY. RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE.

Nikkea in Palestine, Illinois said: Recently Combined Insurance took me out for a day of calls on customers. The work seemed fun, but I am more concerned that after the newness wears off the cost of keeping the vehicle running may eat up all the straight commission work. Anyone have any experience with Combined Insurance Sales and have any comments to make about working for Combined?

Thanks for the advice! You just saved me a hassle!

Nikkea in Palestine, Illinois said: Recently Combined Insurance took me out for a day of calls on customers. The work seemed fun, but I am more concerned that after the newness wears off the cost of keeping the vehicle running may eat up all the straight commission work. Anyone have any experience with Combined Insurance Sales and have any comments to make about working for Combined?

i live in maine...there are only 1 person per sqare mile...so...i use at most $15 per day in gas and earn over $200.

you should have a vehicle w/ good gas economy for this type of job

Another comment in Chicago in Elmhurst, Illinois said: I agree, run far and fast. Aon and all of their subsidaries are TERRIBLE to work for! They will underpay you, benefits are costly and not to mention the culture. You'll feel like you've stepped into Bizarro world.

Working at Aon is like working at Walmart and I'll leave it at that.

ha ha ha...........since you earn your own income and get paid what you're worth..depending on how many accounts you service, sell, etc. and how well you know your material...sounds like sour grapes there. The PMA philosophy must be what you consider bizarre...but some folks love positive environments and Most sucessful people work on bettering themselves. It's good for what it's worth and if you refuse to better yourself then you'll never achieve great goals. It's not bizarre and walmart does NOT pay their employees the same way that AON does...also the benefits are great..dental, vision, health, life, LTD, 401K w/ a 50% match and stock purchase options. Not a company for you if you're negative.

And how much is the health insurance which I understand isn't even available until 6 months?

Lesley in Mount Pleasant, Michigan said: And how much is the health insurance which I understand isn't even available until 6 months?

Im actually supprised no one has mentioned the 30% subtraction from every pay check... Its true you dont get insruance for 6 months your stock plan and 401k do not start for a year and the answer to the question about the price of insurance is included in the 30% i mentioned that comes out of every pay check starting day one, even though you dont get full benefits for a year. So those $500 doller a week paychecks you read about (that the combined agents on here say you make every week) are actually $350 after the 30%. I dont know about anyone here but im in my 20s and theres no way I could live on that. Plus I could work at Mc donalds, make the same ammount, work less hours and have a steady pay check, without begging people for their money. You may ask why im writeing this

Well, my life was pure hell when I worked there and they had me brain washed to actually think that I was doing good I had recieved over 5 awards for sales yet all my bills were past due, my relationship and friendships were going to hell because the "Golden Hours" were from 6-7 o clock and I didnt get home untill 9 every night to bring home a bull**** paycheck. So I quit, took time finding a new job, now I make over $30,000 a year. Almost double what I was making, its not great but its just starting out.

I just warn everyone, I would not wish this job on even one of my worst enimies.

Worked for the company for years in the uk. Most of the things people are saying is true about the company. You can earn £200 a week, they do take 30% off wages, they do in some ways brain wash you.

Earn £200 a week.(learn the profession) If you want to earn £1000+ a week you can. You have to be self motivated to take the time to learn and improve each & everyday.

30% taken off(but that goes into another account incase policy holder cancells the policy u just sold. Any excess and u get whats left),

Brainwashing? 95% of the people that join combined have no sales experience. It does create a PMA envirnoment. To earn a good wage of £1000 per week, around 15 people will have said no to you. And thats the hard part of the job thats why people dont earn enough and leave they cant handle the reject of people says no.

Its like every thing in life get out what you put in.

I worked for Combined (I'm actually embarassed to admit that) for about six months. I had the PMA, good work ethic, and was very motivated and organized. I hit the field 3/12/07, earned my emerald, and was at JET IV in June. Working for Combined is an absolute joke, and the only reason you like it is that it is the only job you can get.

If working at Combined is so good, why do they tell you to read self-help books everyday? If it is such a good opportunity, why are managers encouraged to field recruit 5 people per week? People should be beating their doors down for an interview. But what door? Interviews are conducted in hotel lobbies. My morning "Pep" meeting was held at Burger King. What kind of company requires their agents to travel, but does not reimburse them for any of the costs? WAKE UP. THIS JOB IS B.S.

I survived at Combined without lying or cheating, which seems to go against the company culture. After I left, I took a job with a reputable company, which by the way would not even think of hiring 99% of the rejects that Combined employs. GOOD LUCK!

gary in Springfield, Maine said: ha ha ha...........since you earn your own income and get paid what you're worth..depending on how many accounts you service, sell, etc. and how well you know your material...sounds like sour grapes there. The PMA philosophy must be what you consider bizarre...but some folks love positive environments and Most sucessful people work on bettering themselves. It's good for what it's worth and if you refuse to better yourself then you'll never achieve great goals. It's not bizarre and walmart does NOT pay their employees the same way that AON does...also the benefits are great..dental, vision, health, life, LTD, 401K w/ a 50% match and stock purchase options. Not a company for you if you're negative.

Absolutely RIDICULOUS.
The PMA philosophy is just about being positive...a philosophy that almost EVERY company employs. NOT a "Mr. Stone" original.

This company is a CULT. Everyone talks EXACTLY the same...as if their brain is full of all this Muck about the 7th essential blah blah PMA blah blah 17 success principles worship Mr. Stone with the stupid bow tie.

It's RIDICULOUS.

Mikeyk in hamilton, United Kingdom said: Worked for the company for years in the uk. Most of the things people are saying is true about the company. You can earn £200 a week, they do take 30% off wages, they do in some ways brain wash you.

Earn £200 a week.(learn the profession) If you want to earn £1000+ a week you can. You have to be self motivated to take the time to learn and improve each & everyday.

30% taken off(but that goes into another account incase policy holder cancells the policy u just sold. Any excess and u get whats left),

Brainwashing? 95% of the people that join combined have no sales experience. It does create a PMA envirnoment. To earn a good wage of £1000 per week, around 15 people will have said no to you. And thats the hard part of the job thats why people dont earn enough and leave they cant handle the reject of people says no.

Its like every thing in life get out what you put in.

More of this PMA stuff. Most companies have that.

mblak in Rochester, New York said: I worked for Combined (I'm actually embarassed to admit that) for about six months. I had the PMA, good work ethic, and was very motivated and organized. I hit the field 3/12/07, earned my emerald, and was at JET IV in June. Working for Combined is an absolute joke, and the only reason you like it is that it is the only job you can get.

If working at Combined is so good, why do they tell you to read self-help books everyday? If it is such a good opportunity, why are managers encouraged to field recruit 5 people per week? People should be beating their doors down for an interview. But what door? Interviews are conducted in hotel lobbies. My morning "Pep" meeting was held at Burger King. What kind of company requires their agents to travel, but does not reimburse them for any of the costs? WAKE UP. THIS JOB IS B.S.

I survived at Combined without lying or cheating, which seems to go against the company culture. After I left, I took a job with a reputable company, which by the way would not even think of hiring 99% of the rejects that Combined employs. GOOD LUCK!

Why read self help books every day? Because it's a CULT of BRAINWASHING. It's is INCREDIBLY unethical. "Do the right thing because it's the right thing to do?"
no, it's SELL SELL SELL

"Have fun at walmart"
does EVERY Combined person talk the EXACT SAME?
They NEVER paid for ANY of my hotel. "It's up to you" they said. HAHAHA.
"You are up at 6 am to go to 8 am morning meetings to sing songs and chant absolutely ridiculous sayings!! "
EXACTLY! It's a cult. And NOBODY is happy. NOBODY. And the drunks there are many.
It's a multi-level marketer, with kind of a cult-like environment. Everyone speaks the same, and everyone who defends the company here speaks the same too. "PMA! Blah blah! You can't handle it can you? its all your fault. blah blah. Have fun at walmart you get what you put in. Mr. Stone says this! Mr. Stone says that! Read self help books! Pep talks! Blah blah. its not a job its a career. People who dont like it / leave are ppl who are lazy who dont like to work. this company has been successful for blah blah"
it's ALWAYS the SAME RESPONSE. PMA. PMA. PMA. HA
Combined Insurance DID NOT invent PMA. nor did mr. stone. in fact, positive thinking has been something people have been discussing for centuries and centuries.
Do you REALLY want to get older and older, reach your fifties and STILL have your ENTIRE career about that stupid joke, Combined shuffle and "I BELIEVE THIS WILL INTEREST YOU ALSO" and "HOW IS YOUR PMA?"
It's really haunting and quite frankly, scary how cult-like this is.
It's all a sham.
People who have been working there for 10 years all drive beat up cars and can't afford lunch...and they pretend the residuals pay lots of money?
NO. They use lies to get people in the door. They have UNETHICAL selling practices.
and everyone is brainwashed. and once u start? they wont let u leave. you see, it's like a pyramid, because managers have lots of pressure to keep you working under them.

You have to understand this is a 100% commissioned career. You get paid for what you sell and at the end of the day, there is no one there to pay your work related expenses (gas, hotels, meals). If you can't cover your expenses and net a good income, then you shouldn't be in it. A 100% commissioned career is not for everyone and neither is being rich. Look at any other successful person, are they paid by the hour? Ex Bill Gates

And with all this bashing of the company, has anyone had a chance to research any other insurance company? Before I started with this company, I took some time to research 5 other insurance companies instead of blindly going into the next sales school like many others have. Yes, the manager benefits from the agent, and the district manager benefits from both and the list goes on. However, who cares who benefits from you if it doesn't affect your income? That should actually motivate you to do better so that you can be the one benefiting from others. In any other business, the person above will always benefit from the person below but if you have never made it that far in a job than you will not understand.

Starting with Combined is like starting a new business. No one is there to pay your expenses (rent,utilities,gas, etc) or salary. It takes time and hard work and being smart! It may take months before you see a profit, and if you can't handle that, you will always be working for someone else.

I chose this company over others because of the support system they had in place. Where other companies allow you to BUY leads and existing clients after 2 years, Combined gave them at $0. Getting new clients was my biggest concern. Other companies would encourage you to start off with friends and families and branch off from there.

Fed Up in NY in Port Washington, New York said: RUN, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN- DO NOT EXCEPT A POSITION WITH THESE PEOPLE. THEY ARE ONLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT YOUR SALES ARE BECAUSE IF YOU SELL, THEY BENEFIT. FIND YOURSELF A SALES JOB, IF THAT IS YOUR THING, WITH A REPUTABLE COMPANY. RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE.

Question: Which company in sales is not concerned about your sales? And if you are not selling, what are you doing in a sales environment?

In your current job, do you know who is benefiting from you? Someone is but that shouldn't affect your income, isn't that true?

Fed Up in NY in Port Washington, New York said: RUN, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN- DO NOT EXCEPT A POSITION WITH THESE PEOPLE. THEY ARE ONLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT YOUR SALES ARE BECAUSE IF YOU SELL, THEY BENEFIT. FIND YOURSELF A SALES JOB, IF THAT IS YOUR THING, WITH A REPUTABLE COMPANY. RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE.

oh, so if you sell only combined benefits......not you? Combined reputation is solid. as a matter of fact the s+p rating is better than the governments.

Nikkea in Palestine, Illinois said: Recently Combined Insurance took me out for a day of calls on customers. The work seemed fun, but I am more concerned that after the newness wears off the cost of keeping the vehicle running may eat up all the straight commission work. Anyone have any experience with Combined Insurance Sales and have any comments to make about working for Combined?

the work is fun. you will have bad days where there is no light at the end of the tunnel but for the most part at least one positive thing will happen everyday.
Yes you will have extensive automobile expeneses. I have a honda civic and overall its perfect for this job. the write off's at the end of year make the exspense well worth it.

asdf in State College, Pennsylvania said: Im actually supprised no one has mentioned the 30% subtraction from every pay check... Its true you dont get insruance for 6 months your stock plan and 401k do not start for a year and the answer to the question about the price of insurance is included in the 30% i mentioned that comes out of every pay check starting day one, even though you dont get full benefits for a year. So those $500 doller a week paychecks you read about (that the combined agents on here say you make every week) are actually $350 after the 30%. I dont know about anyone here but im in my 20s and theres no way I could live on that. Plus I could work at Mc donalds, make the same ammount, work less hours and have a steady pay check, without begging people for their money. You may ask why im writeing this

Well, my life was pure hell when I worked there and they had me brain washed to actually think that I was doing good I had recieved over 5 awards for sales yet all my bills were past due, my relationship and friendships were going to hell because the "Golden Hours" were from 6-7 o clock and I didnt get home untill 9 every night to bring home a bull**** paycheck. So I quit, took time finding a new job, now I make over $30,000 a year. Almost double what I was making, its not great but its just starting out.

I just warn everyone, I would not wish this job on even one of my worst enimies.

i guess youve forgotten about the IRS because that is why they deduct 30% NOT for benefits DUH!! prior to a few months ago h.r. would deduct a flat 30% for anyone under 6 mo. tenure to keep things simple due to high turnover. they now use your actual ded. to calculate tax with holdings.

My TA went with me my first week and I didn't see him after that. He gave me leads that were a year old and told me call them. If you can't make an appointment just stop by the house. I rarely saw him after that week. I had few appointments and doing door to door wasn't viewed as very professional. I was very slow for a couple of weeks and they really get on you then. I was beginning to think PMA meant Punish My Ass. They I had a very good two weeks and made some money, with bonuses and all. The next week went back to nothing and they were back on my butt. The corporate climate seems to be "What have you done for us today?" which is OK if you can stand the verbal abuse and misinformation. Some folks do OK. I've been in sales for years, but Combined just didn't work for me. Do you homework before hooking up with Combined and grow thicker skin.

Not only will you need a vehicle with good mileage, but you will also need valium or Jack Daniels to find any peace with these people. They posture themselves around a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) and repeatedly give you NVA (Negative Verbal Abuse) whenever your sales are below a level they set for you, but never tell you.

PS 95% or more of the agents are ALWAYS below that level.