Insurance Agent Forum

[senior-advisor-indiana]

Originally Posted by Macdaddy

We can finally agree on one thing.

We definetly don't agree with your " street level " contracts. You lost all your credibility with me. I would warn anyone that signs up with you for anything to check around just to see how bad you are trying to screw them.

[BKrocko]

SAI - I don't see anything that you have stated that would be considered unethical. In your line of business (senior market), there usually is a limited amount of time for them to enroll (MA,MAPD, etc). They really do need to act fast. As for the other senior products like supplemental's and such, I imagine that their age/health play an important part in wanting to get an app in asap (before they die!). I don't think that those type of issues are what was initially being addressed.

I think that the original post was addressing the ethical issue of a flat out lie or seriously misleading the client about who was representing them. I don't question your integrity when it comes to those points.

My interpretation of your statements was just that you think it is okay to create a sense of urgency. That is fair. I do not think that you give any endorsement to the unethical practices being used by HBD.

Factory work sucks - been there, done that too.

[senior-advisor-indiana]

Everytime I think of giving up on insurance I just think about the factory work and that keeps me pretty motivated. It is dreadful to have to punch a time clock anywhere and stay in the same spot for 8 hours a day.

Thanks

[CT Insure Guy]

After spending so much time discussing this fairly simple topic (either be ethical/honest or don't be...not rocket science) I find that I have developed a sense of urgency involving the lower half of body and some Charmin Ultra...good day.

[newmindfashion]

LOL

SAI,
Neither myself nor anyone else on the board said you were unethical so there's no need to defend yourself or explain your insurance background, though I'm not surprised to find out you're young. My issue was why you didn't think pitching fake enrollment limits was a problem.

With the political climate as it is, all unethical behavior in our industry of individual health insurance fuels the fire to change things as we know it. Will it happen, not likely. However, unethical marketing operations (and there's a lot of them) make our situation all the more tenuous. I'm not completely certain that we will all be in business in our current capacity after 2009. Eventually, the public rebels from being conned. Look what's happening to Mega in Massachussets. Many people in this country feel that what we do for a living in general is part of a larger industry-wide con. HBD makes us all look bad and exacerbates the situation in terms of helping build momentum toward more government intervention into health care coverage. Greedy and unethical sales people only hurt our industry in the big picture.

Ethical behavior by health insurance agents is more than just a choice of business pracice, it helps to preserve individual health as we know it and continue to give people health care choice and access through the private sector.

[senior-advisor-indiana]

I was lying about my age. I am really 47.

[CT Insure Guy]

Originally Posted by newmindfashion

LOL Ethical behavior by health insurance agents is more than just a choice of business pracice, it helps to preserve individual health as we know it and continue to give people health care choice and access through the private sector.

Yeah, what he said!

[al3]

Originally Posted by newmindfashion

SAI,
.....My issue was why you didn't think pitching fake enrollment limits was a problem.

.....Greedy and unethical sales people only hurt our industry in the big picture.

Ethical behavior by health insurance agents is more than just a choice of business practice, it helps to preserve individual health as we know it and continue to give people health care choice and access through the private sector.

Well said. Excellent. This post should be required reading for all new agents no matter what line of coverage they sell.

Al

[senior-advisor-indiana]

Why?

[GreenSky]

Originally Posted by senior-advisor-indiana

Why?

Why not?

I'm sorry, I forgot the question.

Rick

[newmindfashion]

al3 was kind enough to say that my post from yesterday at 2:26 PM, which touched on ethics, should be required reading for new agents.

SAI said "why?"

SAI (and maybe others too) seems to have an anything goes attitude as long as its within the law and technically fair play. My argument is that this attitude is damaging to all and missing the big picture of what's at stake within the individual health industry.

[GreenSky]

Originally Posted by newmindfashion

SAI (and maybe others too) seems to have an anything goes attitude as long as its within the law and technically fair play. My argument is that this attitude is damaging to all and missing the big picture of what's at stake within the individual health industry.

I completely disagree with you on the comment of ethics. Creating a sense of urgency is correct. I don't know one insurance agent that hasn't told a health or life applicant that he or she should get the application into the company because underwriting can take up to six weeks. Does this not create a sense of urgency?

SAI did not say anything close to "anything goes." He was not defending creating any false urgency, nor suggesting that anyone do anything either illegal or unethical.

There may be organizations that do what you say is happening. I have no doubt that there are phone banks, on-line services, etc. who's job is the equivalent of "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" but I don't think you can point to anything SAI said that would give you that impression.

I've posted many times on the subject of ethics. I bend over backwards (when my back allows) to make sure I treat my clients just as I would treat my mother. But I would tell my mother that if she wants to buy a policy, the offer is only good while her health allows it. That means there is a time limit.

Rick

[newmindfashion]

My posts were never meant to be a bash-fest of SAI.

I was simply surprised that he didn't think lying about limited enrollment in a state was a problem. My spout about ethics was toward HBD (the original subject of this thread) and not SAI.

When he responded to al3 with "why?" it does give me the impression that he and I look at things quite differently in terms of how we conduct business. I never said he's unethical. My beef was with the subject of the thread.

[senior-advisor-indiana]

This thread is pointless. I thought we had this figured out 3 days ago.

[CT Insure Guy]

Originally Posted by senior-advisor-indiana

This thread is pointless. I thought we had this figured out 3 days ago.

My feeling is that you, SAI, feel in the grand scheme of things that YOU are actually pointless, hence the goal to annoy others. While I suppose having a goal is a good thing, why not set a goal like making more appointments professionally and ethically(key to the job...lol!) and maybe shaving your back? These are solid, immediate goals I feel would best suit you.

Have a sparkling day!

[GreenSky]

Originally Posted by CT Insure Guy

My feeling is that you, SAI, feel in the grand scheme of things that YOU are actually pointless, hence the goal to annoy others. While I suppose having a goal is a good thing, why not set a goal like making more appointments professionally and ethically(key to the job...lol!) and maybe shaving your back? These are solid, immediate goals I feel would best suit you.

Have a sparkling day!

Jesus! I thought that I was abrasive.

Rick

[CT Insure Guy]

Originally Posted by GreenSky

Jesus! I thought that I was abrasive.

Rick

I am sure I will be the "Comet" of this forum, while you and SAI might be the "Soft Scrub"...maybe we can all be Brillo Pads some day, woo hoo!