Experience With Incompetence Insurance Agents (Compiled)

[Greenman]

  On 5/18/2013 at 8:30 AM, gstc82 said:

Are you selling your services here?

I do not see the point of an agent to visit its customers to visit them in hospital. I do not expect mine to do so if that happens. I will be more concern that she facilitate my hospital bills and claims.

Your 2nd complaint is strange to me. Did you tell her in the first place that you are an insurance agent yourself? If you are seriously interested in buying a policy from her, why? Is it Becos your company"s policies do not suit your needs or is her company"s policies better for you? If I were her, I too will stop contacting you as what I will think is you are simply spying and playing games and wasting time.

Buying a policy from an agen is any that policy, we are not buying the agents personal time. I think it's more the agent sells you the right policy n servicing it than visiting one in hospital or meeting for drinks.

Bro, this is "Experience with insurance agent" thread. Read and digest.

Reference to your comment about if you are in hospital and you don't want your agent to know how are you coping/managed and just want her to facilitate your hospital bill and claims, that is the path you choose and may not be the path that I choose or anyone here. Everyone has its own opinion.

Secondly, I have stated that I have the policies way long time ago and they didnt ask me to anything about my job. The only thing she wanted to meet me is to follow up on the proposal that she want me to take up, which I have already told her I don't want. Then she proposed me another plan which is the endowment plan. I'm not in favour with endowment plan, the plan that i had has flexibility options unlike endowment. Further, it appreciate faster compared to endowment. It is her who called me and not me.

I'm more into a service person. But pushy is not my thing. Of course I'm not buying her personal time as I told her I'm not keen. I agree to what you say selling the right product, but not listening to my needs/no need when I say no, does it means she is selling me the correct product?

I'm sorry if I offend you. I apologies but that is just my opinion. Go extra miles service.

[Guest insurancejerk]

you pay for a service, then you deserve a service. if you are not getting that service, then go ahead and do everything to get that service, including complaining to their company or boss or anything. Writing on the forum here will help you to vent but will not get you the service. also, like any 'sales person', insurance agents are sales person, they are not your friends, so don't expect them to be your friends. if they are your friends and were selling you policies, that's when they wear a sales-hat, and not a friend's hat. If you are buying something from a store and that store assistant is treating you like shit, then you need to stand up for yourself to get what you deserve and not wallow in self-pity. not asking you to be rude, just be professional and assertive!

[Guest Guest]

Oops i thought the thread was about sexual fun with insurance agents.

[Guest seriously?]

  On 5/18/2013 at 4:01 AM, Greenman said:

Hi, I myself a financial planner. I had two policies which I purchase from a 'red Indian' logo company long time ago. The thing is, I bought my policy long time ago.

It was a transfer case and on the record. i bought this when I was still working in a legal firm. This happen when I was hospitalized. My servicing agent didnt even visited me. Then the policy was taken over by a new girl. On the second meet, first she is late and second she didnt even get me a drink. She persistently talked about endowment plan and cpf investment. I told her that I have most plans in my current company. I am not in favour of endowment plans as I still take that Investment Linked policy cash value with appreciate faster than endowment plan in a long run. Further, the flexibility options are more attractive than endowment plans that only covers certain years. She then compared her company and mine, saying not good etc. I didnt any word she says and just smile. (Even my Great Eastern agent, whom I bought two policies from her said that the funds that under the company that I am working with, she don't deny it and said it is good compared to others in the market). We then parted from there.

One month later, she called me and asked when can she meet me again for the plans. Then only I told her that I am also a financial planner and I am working in the company that she said not good. She then keep quiet.

You see, at the end of the day, I still think services is in the package. I have been in this industry for years. Building a close bond is as important as advising an individual. From stranger (street canvassing, referral etc) to business partners then to friends. It is like a life cycle. We don't advise people just for the sake of advising and close case. Every life stages has its priorities and needs. I listen and advise accordingly to their priorities and needs.

 

Did you ask politely of your agent to visit you since it is not usual thing insurance agent does, unless the agent is a personal friend?

 

Being late does not equates to getting you a drink. Did she apologise for being late? If she did, I think it's totally fine as shit happens. Unless you are saying you met her 10 times and half the time she's late.

 

I think you being a planner yourself, should at least be honest and transparent by updating her your change of occupation instead of deliberating mislead her into thinking she has any chance of selling you something. Even if "your company" has good products, I would be finding comfort in another agent who is more transparent. 

[Greenman]

  On 5/19/2013 at 8:18 AM, insurancejerk said:

you pay for a service, then you deserve a service. if you are not getting that service, then go ahead and do everything to get that service, including complaining to their company or boss or anything. Writing on the forum here will help you to vent but will not get you the service. also, like any 'sales person', insurance agents are sales person, they are not your friends, so don't expect them to be your friends. if they are your friends and were selling you policies, that's when they wear a sales-hat, and not a friend's hat. If you are buying something from a store and that store assistant is treating you like shit, then you need to stand up for yourself to get what you deserve and not wallow in self-pity. not asking you to be rude, just be professional and assertive!

Hi, yeap. I agreed.

[Greenman]

  On 5/19/2013 at 11:17 AM, seriously? said:

Did you ask politely of your agent to visit you since it is not usual thing insurance agent does, unless the agent is a personal friend?

 

Being late does not equates to getting you a drink. Did she apologise for being late? If she did, I think it's totally fine as shit happens. Unless you are saying you met her 10 times and half the time she's late.

 

I think you being a planner yourself, should at least be honest and transparent by updating her your change of occupation instead of deliberating mislead her into thinking she has any chance of selling you something. Even if "your company" has good products, I would be finding comfort in another agent who is more transparent.

Hi, nope she didnt apologies until I asked her. She just say why not I get a drink and She prepare to show me something. She then carryon doing her stuff. Again it is about after sales services.

I tried to tell her that I know thus stuff and when I was abt to tell her my job, she just shut me off and keep talking abt things she want to show me. I was a turn off. I just smile. I am being honest with her but she keep pushing me to say that product that I have, is a not from a reliable company as it is not in Singapore for a long time compared to her company she is with. So I just smile. Then one month later she called and ask abt the next meet and the proposal. Again I told her that I am not keen at first. Then she ask me "WHY?". I then replied that I am also a planner, working in a company that you told me the company is not reliable. I wanted to tell you but you keep shutting me. She said ohh... Then hang up.

Anyway, it is already over. I decide to put it to another close friend of mine to over see for me.

[Guest 123]

my agent from GREAT EASTERN always made empty promises and never send yearly calendars me once he got me to buy an insurance plan. i make a call to their HQ and was told that they do not mail to customers due to their company policy.

 

wonder whether your insurance agents send you yearly calendars ?

[justaguy]

  On 11/21/2013 at 3:05 AM, 123 said:

^{my agent from GREAT EASTERN always made empty promises and never send yearly calendars me once he got me to buy an insurance plan. i make a call to their HQ and was told that they do not mail to customers due to their company policy.}

 

^{wonder whether your insurance agents send you yearly calendars ?}

 

^{I am sorry to hear that from you as I also got the same treatment from my Pru agent. So it will remind me not to follow this bad behaviour from the agent as usually this time of the year will prepare the calendars to be mailed out  to my clients or deliver to them personally if possible.}

Edited November 21, 2013 by justaguy

[Firday]

Agent have to buy from their insurance company unlike corporate with complimentary.

 

I won't ask my agent to send me such "extra" gifts..Hardly use calender since our smartphone already preinstall.

[keyboard]

Yea. The agents actually have to pay out of pocket for these gifts that they give you. My Manulife agent still gives me yearly calendars as she values my business (though it's already in the 5th year and I didn't give her any new business since then, haha). She still helps me do 2-yearly reviews to ensure I'm still on track on my coverage.

 

Next year calendar she just gave was ordered outside the company though, all flowers in the pictures haha, not very nice also, but can use, can already.

 

My AXA agent, coincidentally, my school classmates, only gave me for 1st year and disappeared since.

 

And the folder they give, also not free. I asked my Manulife agent why she gives me such a big folder with many sleeves, she said, so next time can buy more from her. Haha. Prudential one only comes in a paper folder kind.

 

It's definitely not a given, unfortunately. But you can always bring your business elsewhere.

[bluerunner]

My GE agent is utterly hopeless too. I did not see him nor received any calls nor SMS from him again after I bought the policy from him.

Never received any diary or calendars from him too.

Bye bye GE!

[kimlo777]

My AIA agent serves me like an empress.  He offers to run some of my personal errands and even do all the admin stuff required for my insurance coverage.  When he was first introduced to me 13 years ago, I gave him permission to check on my CPF balance.  He was wowed by the amount I had in my account and offered to help me invest some of my CPF money in insurance and he did a good job.  He was a young chap at that time and quite a horny little lad!  The rest is entirely up to your imagination. 

[Guest Guest]

  On 11/23/2013 at 8:28 AM, kimlo777 said:

My AIA agent serves me like an empress.  He offers to run some of my personal errands and even do all the admin stuff required for my insurance coverage.  When he was first introduced to me 13 years ago, I gave him permission to check on my CPF balance.  He was wowed by the amount I had in my account and offered to help me invest some of my CPF money in insurance and he did a good job.  He was a young chap at that time and quite a horny little lad!  The rest is entirely up to your imagination. 

 

hey slut, pls share more!

[IkuTube]

When we buy insurance, always remember that it is to benefit us and not because of a particular agent.  Any perks received outside the policy would be bonus and they should not form as benefits nor entitlements.

[justaguy]

  On 11/23/2013 at 2:08 PM, IkuTube said:

When we buy insurance, always remember that it is to benefit us and not because of a particular agent. Any perks received outside the policy would be bonus and they should not form as benefits nor entitlements.

I agree. It's good to under promise and over deliver the services rather than the other way round

[alien]

  On 11/21/2013 at 8:18 AM, bluerunner said:

My GE agent is utterly hopeless too. I did not see him nor received any calls nor SMS from him again after I bought the policy from him.

Never received any diary or calendars from him too.

Bye bye GE!

I believe most insurance agent are like tis, after closing deal u will never heard of them again. Maybe some will send u calendars once a yr which i find useless also.

[justaguy]

Well, at least a calendar or a birthday card is the min to let the clients know u are still in the industry as I believe some customers don wish to be disturbed, only look for agents when needed.

[bluerunner]

I agree w justaguy. In the insurance industry, service is crucial n keeping in touch w ur client is everything.

I guess the service industry especially insurance in Singapore still has a lot of catching up to do.

[shyc]

My initials agents delivery dairies yearly, called, sent personal greetings or mail birthday cards yearly. Didn't think much of it as I don't use dairy nor celebrate birthdays. As time passed, they moved on in life and non are agents to my knowledge now. Newer follow up agents never call, meet up or sent anything, even thou the initial letter indicating their take overs and a follow up meeting or calls.

New agents who called made empty promises but none are as dedicated as the old guards. Only today after reading the posting I realise the extra gifts was from the agents own pocket. I salute the old guards for their dedicated services in their job. Maybe the older generation is more people oriented while the younger ones are more achievements and goals oriented. Nevertheless, that's facts of life. Only sad that in real time of needs there will not be any agents around to help answer queries on claims to make your insurance value for money. Reminded me of a song Tsai Chin sung last nite in the Golden Horse: 'Did we change the world or did the world change us?

[sphere]

I do know that the agents need to buy those year end gifts from their own pocket, so I told them not to waste the money (at least not on me) to buy me planners, table calenders, etc. I usually just need two table calenders (one at home and one in office), which I could get them quite easily from dining and shopping, so don't waste theirs.

 

I also told them don't even need to send me birthday cards (pass the time that I enjoy getting such cards), not even through email. If they need to do something, I said a simple text message would suffice. So, not much servicing required by me, haha...

[IkuTube]

  On 11/24/2013 at 12:39 PM, sphere said:

I do know that the agents need to buy those year end gifts from their own pocket, so I told them not to waste the money (at least not on me) to buy me planners, table calenders, etc. I usually just need two table calenders (one at home and one in office), which I could get them quite easily from dining and shopping, so don't waste theirs.

 

I also told them don't even need to send me birthday cards (pass the time that I enjoy getting such cards), not even through email. If they need to do something, I said a simple text message would suffice. So, not much servicing required by me, haha...

 

I think this should be the case when we get an insurance policy through an agent.  I was told by my agent (who has been in the industry for about 20 years) that an agent earned a reducing commission for five years from any policies sold.

 

Perhaps, the idea of giving clients with a year end's gift many years ago was because insurance was something that many Singaporeans would shun.  Agents would resort to giving gifts hoping that there would be more business to be made or getting referrals.  Now that Singaporeans are rather open to the idea of insurance, I guess agents no longer see the need to do so.

[firereaver]

I was recommended PIAS, a company which is sort of outside the usual AIA, Prudential, GE, AXA, NTUC etc. They can recommend any company to buy from and just bought one from NTUC and Tokio Marine from the agent. So far so good.

[justaguy]

Yup certain plans from Tokio Marine are quite good, usually sell plans to clients from this company

Edited November 24, 2013 by justaguy

[Lonelyboy90]

my GE agent get me an insurance that covers me sufficiently and at the same time, pocket friendly. Been with the agent for like 3years and on and off, i have a coffee bean treat from him while he's waiting for his appointment time to come. hahaha.

[alien]

  On 11/24/2013 at 12:39 PM, sphere said:

I do know that the agents need to buy those year end gifts from their own pocket, so I told them not to waste the money (at least not on me) to buy me planners, table calenders, etc. I usually just need two table calenders (one at home and one in office), which I could get them quite easily from dining and shopping, so don't waste theirs.

 

I also told them don't even need to send me birthday cards (pass the time that I enjoy getting such cards), not even through email. If they need to do something, I said a simple text message would suffice. So, not much servicing required by me, haha...

U r rite. I dun even need any calenders n planner, can easily get it from my suppliers in the office. And i dun fancy birthday card, waste space keeping them. Haha.

[azimuth]

As long as the insurance can be claimed when I need it, I don't need any calendars or planners. Heh.

[Meowz]

I agree with Azimuth on this, and in addition to which, buyers should buy plan(s) which serves their interests (to be insured against etc.) - annual calendars or other freebies/gifts (hence, gimmicks) should, therefore, not be a part of this. 

 

That said, please do politely ask them for one anyway

[sexilover69]

wow, this was certainly an interesting read.. personally i am fr GE n am surprised at the negative posts i have read here.. i would like to apologise for the incompetent agents some of you had to face.. but honestly, there are some of us out there who really care about our clients.. i believe we should get to knoe the agent on a personal level before we are to purchase anything.. i do not believe in signing on the first meet unless the client himself came to us for a particular deal.. so jus a word of advice guys.. pls do take a few moments to talk to yr agents n get to knoe alittle about them as well before u sign anything.. n most imptly!! make sure yr agent is willing n prompt in answering n finding answers to all yr qns! he doesnt have to knoe everything off hand, but he mus at least b responsible to getting back to u asap..

 

anyway if anyone needs any help with understanding their policies or need verification on certain terms do feel free to drop me a pm.. its always a pleasure to educate people on insurance

 

n please do not let go of something so impt jus cos of some lousy agents..!! God bless!

[sexilover69]

agreed! in fact.. u would b surprised that ALL my clients sae e same thing.. sometimes when they sae their fren agent give them this n that.. then i ask them if they wan also anot, n they are like, 'actually, give also not like we will use.., '.. so they always sae dun bother.. i prefer doing things that e clients require more imptly.. like if they need help with certain things like needing to go to e doc or helping them out with certain tasks..

[Guest Guest]

Been wondering for a long time...

 

Under what circumstances will insurance apply those HIV clauses to deny claims?

 

Any companies without those? 

[Greenman]

  On 9/30/2014 at 1:33 PM, Guest said:

Been wondering for a long time...

Under what circumstances will insurance apply those HIV clauses to deny claims?

Any companies without those?

Hi for this case it depends.

I am in the FA channel, where I can see all companies.

It can be deny or can be claim (incontestability clause). At the end of the day, it will be up to claim department.

PM me for free details. (",)

Edited October 7, 2014 by Greenman

[sexilover69]

  On 9/30/2014 at 1:33 PM, Guest said:

Been wondering for a long time...

 

Under what circumstances will insurance apply those HIV clauses to deny claims?

 

Any companies without those? 

there are policies that can be offered under these conditions.. drop me a msg if u wanna find out more..