Does AFLAC Suck to Work For?

[roger_lockless]

I got a call from AFLAC this morning wanting to set up an interview. I'm a relatively new agent just sorta flirting with this field at the moment. I've gotten the sense from other agents that AFLAC isn't good to work for, but nothing concrete.

In the opinion of those of you who are more familiar with AFLAC's practices: Is this an opportunity worth considering? Do they feed you leads in any fashion, or is it one of those things where you're basically left to your own devices and have to start out strongarming all your friends and family into policies to put food on the table? What is the "AFLAC experience" so to speak? I've looked at their website, but it's pretty vague.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[sdmink]

I'm sure it has its downfalls, but I googled a list of top companies in Atlanta to work for a while back and Aflac was the only insurance company on the list, although it was talking about working at the headquarters building.

 

[scagnt83]

short answer, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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do a search on here for aflac, you will find all you need to know..

 

[txagt39]

I got a call from AFLAC this morning wanting to set up an interview. I'm a relatively new agent just sorta flirting with this field at the moment. I've gotten the sense from other agents that AFLAC isn't good to work for, but nothing concrete.

In the opinion of those of you who are more familiar with AFLAC's practices: Is this an opportunity worth considering? Do they feed you leads in any fashion, or is it one of those things where you're basically left to your own devices and have to start out strongarming all your friends and family into policies to put food on the table? What is the "AFLAC experience" so to speak? I've looked at their website, but it's pretty vague.


Anyone have any thoughts?

AFLAC gives you excellent training and many opportunities to make money. Do you have to work for it, certainly - like with any other insurance product or company there is no return without an investment of time and energy. I refer my clients to a local AFLAC rep because I don't want to write it myself, I've got enough on my plate with individual, group, and medicare supplements along with all the P&C lines and they have handled my cases with great professionalism. It keeps another agents from cherry picking my accounts and the customer gets good service. Their agents make a very good salary but AFLAC does want you to devote your full attention to marketing their products so unless this is what you plan to do rather than add it as a compliment to other product lines, it might not be a good choice for you. There is a lot of travel involved to be successful so again, it may or may not be for you.

 

[Bob_The_Insurance_Guy]

AFLAC, as you may or may not know, offers Supplemental coverage to fill in the "gaps" where deductibles are in group health plans.

Do yourself, and your future clients a big favor, and contact Colonial Life. They offer the same lines, are competitively priced, and have better broker and client service.

In my very humble opinion, voluntary benefits will be all the rage the next few years, and this would be an excellent time to call up a business offering these products.

As for whether AFLAC sucks to work for, you will get two different answers. One from the brokers, who are not employees of AFLAC, and who, for the most part, were left dangling in the wind by AFLAC for several different reasons. You will get another answer from those that put on the blinders, and charged headlong into the Duck's a**. They have very good things to say.

That being said, if you go with them, don't read this forum. Eat, drink, and sleep AFLAC. If you don't go with them, have a rep visit with you as a broker, and show you their product line.

I was recently visited by a RSM of theirs who started out admitting AFLAC was abusive to brokers, and that they have changed their tune. He showed me the commission structure, and didn't make me sign a contract until I was ready.

 

[MrMack]

You do have to go to work and depend on no one else for your success. Your District manager will help for you for a short time before they move on to the next new agent. If you learn as much as you possibly can, you can do this job yourself. If a policy is written on the computer it is issued instantly and you get paid 48 hours later.

You also get stock bonus and renewals every month. There are no leads, it is what you go and find, referrals etc.

You will not be able to work full-time forever do to low commission. But you can service your accounts every year and make additional $. You are also not captive, so you can chart your own career. You only need to make $10,000 in sales premium each year to keep unearned commissions. Avg. sale is $600 annual premium.

 

[scagnt83]

Aflac isnt bad to have in the bag, just in case. But to just be an aflac agent is a tough living. Not only does aflac saturate the market with agents, but they also have higher priced and often considered inferior products; they sell on branding, not competitiveness..

There is better training and better opportunities out there.

(I started my career with Aflac and stayed with them for 1 year.)

 

[kheyknee]

Do yourself a favor and talk with Colonial Life as well. The two companies compete head-to-head, but go about things very differently. Compare the two approaches and go with the one that fits your personal style and goals the best.

Neither one guarantees you anything but a return for your hard work.

 

[Johnny Earl]

Yes. And anyone that says differently is probably getting paid on other people's work. The biggest problem with them is that they hire people solely for the purpose of getting access to their "centers of influence". Once you've made a sale and they don't need you, they'll discard you. They have so many agents in an area that you will not happen into a business that is interested. More than likely the businesses you walk into have already turned down AFLAC multiple times in the recent past. Even people that are selling a lot of accounts are financially strapped because the coverage is inexpensive and commissions are low. Bonuses are meh.

 

[billyb]

My niece got licensed and was all excited about going to work with AFLAC in Mobile, AL. She quit after 3 weeks. She says it wasn't for her.