Insurance Agent Forum

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Originally Posted by healthagent

All I've been selling is Right Starts just to win the Assurant trip to Cabo.

I've been very blessed that I've been able to travel to some very exotic locations (Australia, St Petersburg, Russia, Cancun, etc., etc. on insurance company trips.

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, but I'd rather just have the money.

That way I can go where I want to go, when I want to go, and don't have to go with mainly idiots from the Home Office...

[healthagent]

...got a great discount card deal going too

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

As some of you know...you also build up points that can be use for advertising. I used mine last year to order a bunch of Aetna golf shirts. They were pretty nice.

[healthagent]

...just make sure you don't sell Aetna just to get the golf shirts. Let's all remember our ethics here.

[GreenSky]

Originally Posted by healthagent

...just make sure you don't sell Aetna just to get the golf shirts. Let's all remember our ethics here.

They have golf shirts?

Rick

[joshril]

Originally Posted by somarco

No, you are not missing anything. I have to walk quite a few of my clients thru the Aetna process.

I start the app, take it through the medical history, then send them a link with EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS on how to log in, blah, blah . . .

Still, I have had to walk them thru it over the phone.

Does your email look something like this...?

Thanks for your time this morning. Here is the link to complete the online application. https://www.aetna.com/iqs/aimquote.do#

Once at the page, please click on “Already have an account? Log in here”

Your username: joey321
Password: joey123

I have started the online application for you. Make sure you click on “My Account” in the upper right-hand corner of the screen as soon as you login. Do not click on “Apply Online”. After you have clicked on “My Account”, select “Apps”, and then click “Apply Online” on the first application listed.

Have a great weekend!


That is annoying...

[somarco]

No, the email I send looks like this.


Click here.

It's Easy - Get Quotes, Compare Plans, Apply Online!

Complete the app noting the following.
Above the picture, click on the words "Already have an account? Log in here"

To log in you will need the following.

username = bvineyard
password = ga30288

If asked, your mothers maiden name is Momma . . .

Right hand side, click My Account

Click APPS

For application ID 736999 click APPLY ONLINE.

This will open up a new window. Click thru to veryify info, fill in initial payment info, sign and submit.


Call if questions.

Thanks!



Tonight I decided to hell with it and just completed the application over the phone. Went a lot smoother. Just had to spend an hour on the phone and almost missed women's beach volleyball.

[TXINSURANCE]

I can't imagine hardly anyone would complete just about any carriers application CORRECTLY or make it past the payment page.

"What you mean I actually have to pay for this? Just mail me a bill"

[Expat]

I always use the web conference method. I just cannot see any client actually completing an on-line application.
I prefer to walk them through the app (I do all of the typing except for the Bank draft info and the signatures). Much more peace of mind.
Takes 20 minutes for a single person and around 35 minutes for a family.
I spent my time and effort to find them a plan that suites their requirements and then sold them on it, and I am damn sure not going to leave them to struggle with the online apps and maybe give up. No way.

[TXINSURANCE]

The Aetna application in Illinois is FAR better design, however there is one major flaw. Before you click to quote - there is a button that says "REMOVE BROKER" and POOF - broker is gone.

You can however search and add a direct sales reps name if you choose.

Unbelievable.

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Originally Posted by somarco

Just had to spend an hour on the phone and almost missed women's beach volleyball.

I've been busy since lunchtime, but I heard the USA won?

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Originally Posted by Expat

I always use the web conference method. I just cannot see any client actually completing an on-line application.
I prefer to walk them through the app (I do all of the typing except for the Bank draft info and the signatures). Much more peace of mind.
Takes 20 minutes for a single person and around 35 minutes for a family.
I spent my time and effort to find them a plan that suites their requirements and then sold them on it, and I am damn sure not going to leave them to struggle with the online apps and maybe give up. No way.

As my 20 year old son says...word.

[joshril]

Originally Posted by TXINSURANCE

I can't imagine hardly anyone would complete just about any carriers application CORRECTLY or make it past the payment page.

"What you mean I actually have to pay for this? Just mail me a bill"

I write 4-5 apps per week and never touch it other than getting it started... I'm lazy though... I just tell them how it works and explain the payment page... get them to login while I'm on the phone and then tell them to call me if they get stumped. Seriously 1 out of 10 have a problem.

[bill3173]

Originally Posted by somarco

I recommend what is right for my client without regard to trips, bonuses, etc.

Not that I am loaded, but I put my clients first. Not saying you (or others who get into bonuses) are, I just run my business the same, month after month, without regard to incentives.

Right now BX and GR are paying $100 per app bounty's. I have $100 coming from each of them, that's it.

I did just get a $2k bonus from H1, but it was just a coincidence. I didn't do anything different because they had a bonus plan.

I just wanted to comment on it. I get "into" bonuses, generally after the fact. If the carriers plans fit with my clients, then an added bonus is great. I just thought that the Aetna bonus was particularly appealing, because they have been the most competitive and most in demand, for family coverage in my area, and I was writing them anyway. I was already half way thru the fifty apps for the quarter with them, when I read about the bonus, which doesn't mean that I'm full of integrity, just uniformed.

I think that the way you handle your clients is reflective of a serious agent in it for the long haul and is the harder way to do it. I must admit, however, that sometimes I am envious of these guys getting rich writing one or two carriers for health and life. Good salesman, with uncomplicated lives. I just can't do it that way.

[somarco]

Bill, my comments were not meant to be an indictment of your sales methods. And I hope I did not offend you with my remark.

Yes, the Aetna bonus structure is nice. Humana has run two contests in the last year with $10,000 being the top prize.

As much as I would like to have an extra $20,000 in the bank, I did not change a thing about the way I do business and never lost any sleep over it.

I know guys who get into contests and bonuses big time. They throw anything against the wall to make the spiff then they are gone like a thief in the night until the next contest rolls around.

Last month Humana had a broker council meeting in Atlanta and I met 7 other producers from the area. Some of them wrote more than me, some wrote less. One guy did (or so he said) throw in 50 apps to qualify for the $10,000 bonus assuming all got issued and stayed on the books the required length of time.

I missed the 50 apps by 20 or so but was well over the threshold for the $2,000 bonus . . . which arrived last week.

That same guy was bragging about the $100 bounty Blue is paying for new apps and said he was putting everything with Blue until that bonus is over.

I really feel sorry for his clients.

Blue has some lousy plans right now. Can't think of anyone I hate badly enough to stick them with Blue unless there are no other options.

FWIW, he also sold a bunch of Saver plans for the Golden Rule contest and the Humana "lite" plans (no Rx) to try and make his $50k.

He is a kid, late 20's who is full of himself. Just got married (literally 2 weeks ago) and already refers to his wife as "the ball and chain". Brags about how he lies to clients to impress them that his **** doesn't stink.

Like I said, I feel sorry for his clients.

So like I said, my comments were not meant as a judgement of the way you do business. I don't know you, don't know how you deal with your clients. Frankly, it doesn't matter since I can't pay my bills with your bonus checks nor can you pay your bills with mine.

Take care,

Bob

[bill3173]

Originally Posted by somarco