Like so many I responded to a UA mailing looking for insurance professionals wanting to move into management. Probably bought the pig in the poke because I wanted to believe the program. However, did not have savings reserve to support family while building my client base.
Because I already had clients through another service I market and have a good reputation with them I was able to write policies based on that trust relationship. At the same time the "company leads" promised were often unqualified or totally bogus (person listed denied all knowledge of requesting an agent contact; leads received with no contact information; people totally uninsurable).
The promised "company training" was also non-existant. As an experienced corprorate trainer if I had run a program as it is run the way it was at my branch I would have been run out with the worst "non reference" possible in these politically correct times.
I eventually reached a point where I was facing foreclosure if I could not generate some reliable income. Still wanting to believe this could work I advised my branch manager I needed to pull back to take a "real job" in order to pay some bills so I could devote the proper attention to my insurance practice. During that time I began making the necessary arrangements to get business in the pipe for my return within 45 to 60 days of my temporary pullback.
The first week of October I received a letter from UA headquarters in McKinney TX that I had 30 days to submit "significant business" or face the possible cancellation of my contract. Since I was about to launch my return I anticipated no problem. However, the following week I received a letter dated 7 days after the first that my contract had been cancelled and that I was to return all company material. I was also to be listed on an industry black list for a "debit balance" that would allegedly impact my ability to find employment with any insurance company.
I fully expect the company faithful to jump to UAs defense. We weren't able or willing to make the necessary committment. We did not have what it takes. We weren't willing to work hard enough. I had the opportunity to watch more than a few "recruitment interview" with UA, and if you could get in the door and fog a mirror you were told you had that "special something" that could make you a STAR with United American. I talked to too many people with other branches that I know work hard and don't know the meaning of "quit" to buy that.
At this point I am looking at my legal options regarding improper termination based on the timing of the letters. True, TN is an "at will" state, but if conditions are spelled out be either party (i.E., 30 days to submit business to retain contract) the right to terminate at will is abrigated.
Intrestingly enough I recently received multiple recruiting e-mails from another Torchmark company. One group was for insurance professionals, the other for regional recruiters/trainers. I'm loathe to blow off the appointment (if they ever call me back) given the "income potential", but how long can you ignore the 600 pound gorilla in the room?
BTW, for those that keep pointing to the company's various ratings, let's keep this an "apples to apples" comparison. Those ratings deal with the ability of respective companues to pay claims, among other things, NOT with whether or not they treat agents/employees ethically. I am not prepared to say the products won't do what they are advertised to do IF the agent takes the time to educate him/herself on individual limitations.
As far as celebrity endorements of companies be very careful. Personally I was not aware of Paul Harvey endorsing UA and/or Torchmark, but a company called Asset Protection Group (APG) used to advertise on Rush Limbaugh's program, and Robert Wagner was their spokesman. The company is now under intense federal review, and may be in receivership, due to illegal conduct on the part of founder, one William (Bill) Reed.
I'm going to get off my soap box now, tho' this issue is not going to go away, I guarantee.
Daniel in Cordova, I would love to exchange war stories sometime, maybe we can join forces.
Ray and the Gang at UA #9 in Memphis, better get your ducks in a row, and tell the gang in McKinney we're coming for them like the Sioux at Teh Little Bif Horn.
See ya'!!!
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