Is Aflac a preferable career choice?

by hurtarte30 » Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:27 pm

I plan to make a career change, I have decided I want to sale insurance for a living. I have some sales experience but I have never sold insurance before. I am considering starting my career with Aflac, but I would like to get some feedback regarding Aflac as my first option. I have been told that I should look into other insurance companies, I have gone to the state farm and Allstate websites but it seems that they are only looking for people that want to open an office. Any feedback, especially from experienced agents, will be greatly appreciated.

Total Comments: 54

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 03:03 am Post Subject:

hurtarte30, tough question to answer. Not that I don't know about Aflac, it's just tough to to give a subjective opinion on a subjective subject. Let me see if I can explain.

Any insurance company/agency that you work with/for will expect you to produce. No production = no job. The insurance industry can be either the best career move you ever made or the worst decision you ever made. The one commonality that applies, regardless of who you go to work for, is that there are thousands of others, just like you, who are doing the same thing that you will be doing. The difference is this. Of those thousands of people, the successful ones have something in common: a work ethic that never quits. A company like Aflac hires a lot of people because they have a higher than average turnover rate. Most people will look at that and wince, thinking that you can't "make it there" or that the company fires a lot of people. Not always the case.

The washout rate in this industry is big. There's a lot of hiring managers out there who would like to tell you otherwise, and some companies can absolutely claim a very low turnover rate, but most can't. Aflac has many positives going for it- tremendous advertising, pretty good products, excellent claims service, section 125 stuff (not always the best choice for employers), good support and not horrible commission schedules. On the flip side, you need to check the agent saturation in your market. Do they have 250 Aflac producers within a 30 square mile radius? Or are they still looking to penetrate a market and you'd be getting in on the ground floor.

The big questions, really, is on you. Do you have the "oooomph" that it takes to put your (insert body part here) on the line? If you make it in this business, you can do reeeeeeeeally well. If you don't- you'll have a different job in six months and hate this business. If you're an average person and can admit to yourself that you don't have that big-time work ethic and aren't willing to put in massive hours your first few years, then maybe not. This is a different kind of work ethic, and you're not punching a time clock.

If you can tell me the state where you live, there's a good chance that I know management in that state. I don't work for Aflac, however I run a division at work that deals heavily with them all over the country so I might be able to give you some insight.

There is sooo much more to this than what I have said, so I hope your post generates a lot of responses...I think it's kind of interesting.

InsTeacher 8)

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 08:02 am Post Subject:

A company like Aflac hires a lot of people because they have a higher than average turnover rate.



I'm not recommending any one insurer but recently I came across this which you might find interesting...

A recent business week study ranks AFLAC the 5th best life insurer in the US to work for. Coincidently they are listed as having a 3 year retention rate of 48% (Well above the industry ave)

2008 2007
1 6 Northwestern Mutual
2 2 Liberty Mutual
3 3 Aetna
4 7 MetLife
5 NA Aflac
6 1 Prudential
7 4 Blue Cross Blue Shield
8 5 AIG
9 NA Allstate

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 07:06 am Post Subject:

One more thing I'd like to add to what the experts have mentioned here....most of the AFLAC plans run on payroll deduction, i.e. not many policies would lapse for non-payment since the premium would get deducted from employees pay check regularly, thus securing your commission on renewals.

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 07:09 am Post Subject:

Is Aflac really a better option than names like 'Prudential' and 'AIG'??

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 06:16 pm Post Subject: Concedering working for Aflac

I just wondering how the economy is if this would a thing for the future to do as a income source. This is a new carrer change for me. I am wanting to do it, but I do have some doubts. Once I clear those doubts up with your advice maybe I can decide if this is really what I want to do. I was wondering if you would have to pay your on taxes or would they cut this out of each income you get. I live in Kentucky I wonder how well I would do in this area. there company sounds to good to be true, but I do believe anyone could make it work long as you can get companies let you come in and talk to the employees. I just would like some input and suggestions on what you would ask to determine if this is a good carrer opportunity for a working mom.

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 04:01 pm Post Subject: aflac

Aflac is very simular to multi level marketing. Give them a shot from the inside and soon you will see. You would be better suited looking at other options there are many. One company that comes to my mind is Colonial Life has a excellent commision structor.

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 03:14 am Post Subject:

There are many good options out there within this industry. I would have to disagree with the above that Aflac is similar to multilevel marketing though. There are people who will help build your business but most multilevel marketing profit is simply based on the # of people under you where I have many friends making 6 figure incomes with Aflac based on simply providing solutions (ie through the sale of products) to companies and consumers and are not in management with them.

With that said, you just need to determine which field (you mentioned Allstate, State Farm, Aetna) of the insurance industry you would most enjoy. All of the above offer very different solutions and products and therefore should be looked upon as such.

Hope this helps.

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 05:05 pm Post Subject: Position in Memphis Metro Area

I have been offered a position with an AFLAC office in Cordova, TN ( surburb of Memphis), the Regional managers is Greg Griffith.

I would appreciate any information availabe on the retention rate of new agents at this location, and their training program, prospective clients in
the Memphis Metro area. TKS

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 06:36 pm Post Subject: Aflac

I really like all the commets, this is my thought to those looking. I at this time have a job, but as I get older I'll looking to change Careers. I have the chance to move forward with Aflac, I think everyone one that looks into this company has the same. They won't tell you No at first, 8) I feel they let you decide for your self. Every other job you interveiw for you need to be picked by the employer. :!: Aflac is not a JOB, :D you are a Business owner, :lol: IF you can't handle the preasure then you need to step aside for others. :wink: If you you want to be average then stick with a JOB ( Just Over Broke) :twisted: If you want to break away from average then you need your own Business. Average education will get you average results, :idea: if you want to sit with the heard and be safe great, more for me, If you want more then a job you need to go the other way.
I work commision at my present job, the feeling is like NO other when you do well and you are paid accordingly.

Remember there is NO job security any where in todays market and you need to have malti job skills to win.

Feel free to email me to see how things are going.
Aflac has a great product and marketing to match, they give you a mentor to help you, what more do you need.
8)
rccapital1@yahoo.com

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 06:40 pm Post Subject: ADD to Post

I messed up my post above, I apologize for adding my post to the other persons QUICK SUMMit.

rccapital1@yahoo.com :wink:

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