First I have no knowledge of this company but wanted to post about the benefits or lack therof of being endorsed by a union...I currently work the 403(b) market. Currently the NEA endorses Security Benefit for 403(b)s, I am in Maine and the Maine Educators Association the state level for NEA endorses Metlife for Financial Planning, Horaceman for DI and the company the endorse for 403(b)s currently exscapes me because other than scooping up fees from the carriers these endorsements do little to nothing. The teachers can and do deal with many 403(b) providers and are very unaware of the endorsements...So if you think a union endorsement will make the sales process easy think again.
I got involved with these guys about 6 years ago when I was making the transition from Agent recruitment to field agent.
PROS-
If you are a new agent looking for solid training you might consider these guys. I think back then the training was 5 days in Austin, TX. Very centered on LTC sales training which is a valuable yet intimidating product for most new agents.
Their association affiliations, while maybe questionalble, will get you into quite a few doors.
My manager dropped mail for us once a month but that may have been a manager by manager decision and not the norm.
Good field support. If you need "hand-holding" in the field or extra training, these guys will provide it.
CONS-
The contracts are among the worst out there.
You will not walk away with renewals after working with this company.
I worked there for 6 months and the experience wasn't horrible. After 6 months I was ready to get some better contracts with different companies and send out my own mailers and make my own calls.
I've worked with AMBA for 5 years...they are the endorsed provider for 26 state retired teacher associations in the U.S. I've read this forum and much of it is true, some not true. AMBA was formed by the Retired Ex-President of United Teacher Associates Ins Co in 1999. He sold UTA (after starting UTA in 1981) to Great American Life Ins Co at that time, but wanted to keep his sales force so he formed AMBA. We are a captive niche marketing agency focused on LTCi, Annuities, Cancer, Final Expense, and Med Supps. Sales reps here don't pay a dime for the leads (which are fully provided). Lead generation is paid by the sales managers and AMBA. The commissions are lower than many other contracts out there, so if commission rates are all you are looking for, other companies pay higher rates of comm. But, if someone is looking for free leads and a structured sales system to actually get you into 20 doors a week...this could be a good fit for you. As far as the residuals being garbage, they are probably not going to be large after only working here for 6 mos (for whoever posted that) but they are competitive. I am very happy with my residuals so far! ($10-11k per month after only being here 5 yrs). We also advance commissions weekly on submitted business in addition to residuals! AMBA is a very ethical company committed to the success of its sales reps. In the last 5 years they have done everything they told me they would do, and then some. I got lucky and found a good company! I also understand that there are some associations that are loosely organized and an "endorsement" from them doesn't mean much. Not the case here. Without the 26 state retired teacher endorsements we have we would be just another agency struggling for leads. We deeply value our retired teacher endorsements and they love us because of all the new members we bring them in the process. It is a win win for both. I would be happy to answer any other questions that anyone might have with a straight answer!
Gosh, Paul, after looking at that post by LTC27 I made an emergency call to my opthalmologist's office for an appointment. Trying to read that almost fried my brain!
Nope, not multi-level marketing...AMBA also has a contract with Monster and Careerbuilder in addition to running ads in the paper. Craigslist used to be free for job posts but it is only $25 now, so its worth posting there too if we have a position available.
I just interviewed with them. Can you elaborate? What are the pitfalls of the company and the job? Thanks for your help.
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Can you comment on the contracts? How do they stack up against the competition? I am mostly concerned with renewals and would intend to be with them for 3 years or more. Thank you.
Last edited by MaxSmart : 08-25-2009 at 02:42 AM.
Reason: Posts merged
Leads are provided (about 4 a week), the rest of the time you are cold calling off of the association list.
30 - 35% is the commission structure on LTCi sales. However you only get 7 months of that 35% (they fail to tell you that) up front.
Everything is scripted to a 'T'.
There are no doubt people making money with this company. I could not proceed as the script was not jiving with the actions. I knew I was showing up to get a check. The old ladies thought I was coming to 'deliver benefits'. Probably a light-grey area there, but as I did not believe it myself I could not sell it. Simple as that.
I met some great people and very sharp salesmen but the cost to acquire business was too great. I would fill my tank 3-4 times a week for a modest up-front commission.
The nail in the coffin was when upper management told how they transferred the sales strategies from their experience in car sales and funeral insurance sales. Again, not passing judgment but I want to have some professional pride in my work. That did not help.
The company is growing and if you can stick to the script and not ask too many questions you will probably do well in a couple years.
It was a good experience as I know much more about the insurance industry and what I do not want to do. It also helped me find a good marketing spot where I KNOW I'm delivering value and helping people out. Plus, I don't need to drive all over hell-and-gone.
So been-there-done-that. Cost me a few bucks to learn but that is how things go. Hope this first hand experience helps someone out. I'm happy to talk off-line if it would help.
Leads are provided (about 4 a week), the rest of the time you are cold calling off of the association list.
30 - 35% is the commission structure on LTCi sales. However you only get 7 months of that 35% (they fail to tell you that) up front.
Everything is scripted to a 'T'.
There are no doubt people making money with this company. I could not proceed as the script was not jiving with the actions. I knew I was showing up to get a check. The old ladies thought I was coming to 'deliver benefits'. Probably a light-grey area there, but as I did not believe it myself I could not sell it. Simple as that.
I met some great people and very sharp salesmen but the cost to acquire business was too great. I would fill my tank 3-4 times a week for a modest up-front commission.
The nail in the coffin was when upper management told how they transferred the sales strategies from their experience in car sales and funeral insurance sales. Again, not passing judgment but I want to have some professional pride in my work. That did not help.
The company is growing and if you can stick to the script and not ask too many questions you will probably do well in a couple years.
It was a good experience as I know much more about the insurance industry and what I do not want to do. It also helped me find a good marketing spot where I KNOW I'm delivering value and helping people out. Plus, I don't need to drive all over hell-and-gone.
So been-there-done-that. Cost me a few bucks to learn but that is how things go. Hope this first hand experience helps someone out. I'm happy to talk off-line if it would help.
What is this? MEGA?
UIC?
The Ol "drop off your benefits ... just need you to sign off on them" deal.
Yeah, these drive till ya drop operatons are a total sham.
You come in as a new agent; run your car into the ground; squeeze out a few sales, eek out a living for a few months along with a few other agents then peter out. Meanwhile management collects over rides on that biz forever. Next batch of green horns... Often called body shops.
I went through it with A.I.L and MEGA.
Only good thing about it is that you find out whether or not sales is in your blood or not. Some people are "communicators" some fix computers ... And then you start getting creative and more in control.
I too received a letter from AMBA and talked to someone from TX. They were all gung ho but when I asked for more detailed info I kinda got the runaround. I also asked for a packet of info and was supposed to be contacted by a district manager that same day. That was almost a week ago and I haven't heard diddly since then. I'm not impressed.
I too received a letter from AMBA and talked to someone from TX. They were all gung ho but when I asked for more detailed info I kinda got the runaround. I also asked for a packet of info and was supposed to be contacted by a district manager that same day. That was almost a week ago and I haven't heard diddly since then. I'm not impressed.
If you aren't willing to swallow the kool aid, they move on to the next victim. This is the M.O. of such recruitment revolving door companies.
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"Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise."
- Benjamin Franklin
Revolving door recruiting is so cliche for this industry. Agents coming and going depends largely on the local manager.
Can't pigeon-hole AMBA as a revolving door based on a few people leaving...fact is AMBA retains agents much better than other agencies because of the structure/support provided.
As everyone knows Ins sales isn't for everyone...sorry you had a mgr not call you back. That's not typical.
I will be graduating in a few weeks and my college internship/human resource advisor approached me with an opportunity at AMBA. Apparently they are looking for a district manager in my area and I've been strongly thinking about sending them a resume. I've done a small amount of research on them, including reading this thread and I'm still a little perplexed about the organization's ethics.
For the last few years I have worked for myself from home while going back to school and I enjoy my work; however, I would need a large investment to really get my business going. What I am really looking for at this point in my career is to make enough money to slowly invest in my other business and play with my cars.
My question for those that have worked for AMBA and similar businesses, based on what I have written about myself, is if this niche of work fits my goals.
Re: Association Member Benefits Advisors
Re: Association Member Benefits Advisors 
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