Bankers Life & Casualty Reviews

Pros

This is an amazing company, with an elite management team dedicated to seeing you through to financial success. You MUST be willing to work, listen, and be engaged. I miss ALL of my coworkers dearly, from the office team to the bull pen to the management team. I didn't leave because I wanted to, I left because I'm relocating to another state.

Cons

If you think you're going to make a million dollars in insurance immediately you should consider doing something else. Insurance is a relationship business, you have to be willing to make the connection and provide exceptional customer service. Also be ready to work long work weeks including Saturdays when you're first getting started!!!

Advice to Senior Management

Don't change a thing. You have successfully created an environment where expectations are clear and concise and the positive team environment speaks volumes about the dynamics of your organization. I enjoyed the enthusiasm, the team play atmosphere, the laughter, and the training. Everything about what you do is going to help you get to where you need to be.

Pros

Work schedule flexibility is one of the key reasons I took the opportunity at Bankers. As long as you are booking appointments you can pretty much schedule your own work without management interference. Additionally, I thought Bankers did a very good job with their training program. There is quite a bit of knowledge available to the new agent, with management training at least once a week. Their Successful New Agent campaign, along with Winner's Edge and Building the Practice are first rate. Lastly, Bankers provides scripts for new agents to use when talking to potential customers which is nice. In the beginning it's great to go from the script until you learn the verbiage for yourself . One less thing to worry about while trying to book an appointment.

Cons

Initially you will spend a good deal of time - in excess of 12 hours per day - on the phone trying to book appointments. Unit managers will generally make you stay until you have made 500 calls in one day, with two calling days per week as the norm. This is hard work and not for the faint of heart. if you have trouble with rejection, talking on the phone, or dealing with angry people, this job probably isn't for you. Bankers' also makes a big deal out of the leads that they give you each week, however many of them are recycled leads that are termed "non-responders". Once in a great while you'll receive a lead card from someone who responded to a mailing. These are termed warm leads and can lead to an appointment or sale, but usually go to veteran agents. Keep in mind that you'll pay the company money for all the leads you receive, despite the quality. And lastly on the topic of leads. Be advised that other agents in the building will be calling off of the same lead sheets. It's not unusual for multiple agents to call the same person in a short time frame. This can lead to irate customers and is definitely a drawback to this sales position.

Advice to Senior Management

Let new agents ride with veterans for at least 60 days even if you have to cut the commission to new agents. Increase the quality of the leads provided to new agents, and cut their phone days down to 9 hours from the current 12. People need balance and it's really tough to sit at a desk all day without making many contacts or appointments and expect to keep a positive attitude.

Pros

The Training and instructor was good

Cons

Wanted to work from home but had to be in office 2 days per week as a 1099

Advice to Senior Management

Spend more time with new people learning the business

Pros

Trainings were very good - at least the ones that were given at the corporate level.

Cons

The agents that I worked with were over-all good people but I felt that the management team especially lacked the ethics that I feel are necessary in a good insurance agent. I felt that commissions were often pushed by management even when a product was not suitable for a client's needs.

Advice to Senior Management

Look in a mirror and ask yourself if you are doing your job for the right reasons or are you only interested in the money?

Pros

Make your own hours, weekends and holidays are yours. It's all down hill from there as it's a boiler room

Cons

Low commssions, leads are free, yeah right. 90% turnover in a year.........I think that says it all. Aviod at all coasts.

Advice to Senior Management

Resign and go work as the manager of a mcDonalds. And stop splitting commissions from day one with new hires, i felt like i was stealing.

Pros

1. If you are established and been there for a while you have the possibility to make good money.
2. They have wonderful products that really help people.

Cons

1. You need to have at least 3 or 4 months worth of money to live off of while you are getting started.
2. Be prepared to work 70 hours a week for your first month and not make a dime.
3. They take the first $100 and office fees from your first commission payment if you are lucky to get one.
4. Most of the employees are cut throat.

Advice to Senior Management

Most agents aren't trying to get rich. They just want to make a living. Had I at least gained $250 a week, that would have been enough to carry me over the hump until I actually started making money from commissions. It is really hard to phone power and make good appointments when you really don't care because you are so worried about your bills and how they will get paid.

Pros

Work with the senior sect.
very positive towards established agents.

Cons

Leads are hard to work.
pay is not what it is made out to be, I've been waiting for my commission already past payday.

Advice to Senior Management

You should do what you say you're going to do. Follow through to insure that agents are getting the training they need to succeed.

Pros

Help people and rewarded for doing so.

Cons

Long hours, but you are working to make your business successful.

Advice to Senior Management

More training for agent care associates.

Pros

Flexible work schedule. Friendly work environment. Management communicates thoroughly. Go over changes everyday over new or old material. Can be promoted to management if your good at it.

Cons

A lot of product material to go over. If you never worked on commission before its a an eye opener because you can go broke quick. Once you quit, friends you thought you had, stop communicating with you.

Advice to Senior Management

Good at communicating with employees but its very difficult trying to get a hold of them outside of the office.

Pros

Lots of flexibility, very open communication, plenty of opportunities for extended training and growth, very diverse environment, and ability to make your own schedule of appointments

Cons

It was extremely difficult to survive solely on commission, at least for me. When the commissions did eventually come in, there was always a possibility of it being relinquished if the customer canceled their policy or if it lapsed. Management also expected you to pretty much devote your whole life to the position. If you're not excited about heavy pressure selling or passionate about insurance, I wouldn't recommend this position.