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American Income Life - STAY AWAY FROM CWA

  • by   Jan 05
  • Review #: 372965
CompanyAmerican Income Life
Product / ServiceLife Insurance
Location Indianapolis, Indiana
Category Life and Casualty Insurance
Views2120
 

First let me say that I am a current AIL agent that works for another agency. I am much happier; however, my initial experience with the Cunningham Weatherspoon Agency out of Indianapolis, IN is what has prompted me to write this.

If I didnt believe in the AIL product I probably would have had such a bad taste in my mouth that I would not have considered exploring if there were good AIL Agencies out there, but there are.

AIL is not a SCAM. Granted there are less than ethical recruiting practices and the turn over rate is horrible, but that is consistent with the industry. I did make decent money at the CW agency, I was not promised the world, had to work a lot of hours, and had to witness a lot of things that makes me want to warn anyone else who is interested in working for CW. If you live in Indianapolis or Fort Wayne Indiana, their competing Hancock Agency has been around for years, is stable, and a lot better agency to work for.

It is agencies like CW that give AIL a bad reputation. There are good agencies out there, but you have to research first.

Now I will address the Red Flags at CW.

1. They have two SGA's. and 3 other "right hand men" that run the whole sick operation. It is a well known saying that they are run by "A Rapist, A Felon, and a Psycho". The "Psycho" is this snot nosed young guy who treats everyone like ***, codes business under struggling female agents for "Benefits (if you get my drift)", Is screwing another Master Agent and his personal assistant. He drives a Maseratti and lives in an apartment - go figure.
2. Everyone there is young. The assistants and recruiters are little girls who can be easily brainwashed and trained to their "plastic" mentality. We were instructed not to even call candidates that looked like they were over 40 because those candidates wouldn't fit our "vision".
3. You have no idea who to go to for what. Since everyone is an IC1099, you never know who to complain to for what, who to go to and the SGAs keep it very confusing. They have a "stand offish" attitude when something happens, saying "You are an IC working for our business". Nobody is accountable for anything.
4. Same recruiting tactics as most other agencies. Most candidates have no idea what job they are coming in for, evasive advertising, and they call their assistants "Recruiters" when in reality they are "telemarketing" recruiters. They are given a list of RMS names and numbers pulled from several major sites and they call candidates acting like they have a resume and say this script.
5. They treat their support staff like ***. The receptionist is paid 7 bucks an hour and she does the most out of anyone. She has been brainwashed, like all the other assistants into having "loyalty" and to see "the bigger picture" of future wealth.
6. The company meetings are repulsive. All they are is one big ego session. The SGA's walk in like Gods advancing to the throne up front. Everyone else sits in the audience like they are watching some grand broadway production. Everyone knows when to clap at the right times, and they sit and stand more than a Catholic Church Service. Paycheck amounts are announced and passed out. Agents who are moved up in the chain of command are done so in front of everyone. Those meetings are propaganda sessions to boost ego, self esteem, and keep everyone entertained.
7. They preach loyalty. It is distgusting. They have a "I will take care of you if you take care of me mentality", and anyone who doesn't fit and follow along with their brain washing tactics are quickly weeded out.
8. You cannot trust anyone. You don't know who to trust. It is best just to keep your mouth shut and follow along.
9. It almost feels like a cult. Even people who leave the company, or are fired, are followed and harrassed. Making sure nothing is being said about them. One recruiter was not paid on time for several weeks in a row. She was the top performer for the company and actually did things with honesty and integrity. She ended up losing her car, and almost her home, and owed back pay. The SGA's told her there was nothing they can do to help her because she was an IC contracted under a manager who couldnt afford her so she needed to take it up with him. Again, not being accountable even tho her recruiting efforts helped all the offices and ultimately lined the SGA's pockets. She has since went to a competing agency, but was harrassed by text and email for a while after leaving.
10. One Managing Agent was very successful in Indy and the SGA's asked him to go open another office in another territory. He had to relocate his whole life!. It was a struggle getting the office up and running and he was not bringing in money|. He ended up penniless and with no support from the SGA's;. You would think if they asked someone to relocate to open an office for them, and that person had been successful for them, they would make sure that they are supported and not discarded.. NOPE
11". One of the Master Agents recently resigned". This man was embezzeling thousands of dollars from the agents that worked under him and the SGA's knew?. How sick is that?
12,. Making big promises to keep people motivated and entertained.
13. Profiting from their licensing fee. CW uses Greenlight for their Indiana State licensing schooling. Portion of the 299 initial fee go to line the powers that be pockets.

As you can see, this AIL agency is what gives AIL a bad rep. There are good agencies out there. Do your research. It is a great position for the right person. 3802a86

 
 
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Brandi Brandi
Jun 10  from Lebanon, Indiana
Turn over rates in the insurance industry is high..because its not for everybody. The job has HUGE Potential! Not just your average $7.25 hr Wendy's job. Unfortunately, most people these days arnt willing to take a risk to get a reward. The minute something gets tough, they *** and blame anyone else in sight.

I'm going to go ahead and add my personal experience in here. I cant wait to read all the hate comments *eyeroll* And I understand that it may not be everyone's same experience, but it is mine.

James and Jamison, have never been anything but kind to me, always have an encouraging word when you see them and a smile on their face,(not because everything is wonderful all the time, but to quote something I heard them say "Never let your team see you sweat") and undoubtedly, have worked incredibly hard to own their own agency in less then 10 yrs of working for AIL.
And PS- J&J have nothing to gain from my loyalty. I don't even work for them directly.

Also, I do happen to work directly for John Ophals. He pays me a fair wage for the work I do,has never showed any disrespect to me and has always listened to any concern I had and tried to find a solution for me. I've honestly never had a better boss.

That being said, does he put up with bull? No. Does he make mistakes because hes human? Yea, and he'll even admit it. I know I've had my share of meetings with him because I've done something, and unlike most
... Show more
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Anonymous Anonymous
May 29  from Greenfield, Indiana
I interview here last week and it was a fricken joke. Cattle call is RIGHT!!!! Worst interview experience of my life! The receptionist was flustered and annoyed, I was told the hiring mgr I was supposed to interview with was in a meeting...but lets face it, he was behind in the other 20 interviews he had. Everything was right on point to what this article said. I should have done my research beforehand. All I have to say is, look up this company before anything. Complete waste of my time!!
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Do NOT work here!!! Do NOT work here!!!
May 22 
This is by far the most unprofessional and worst place I have EVER worked in my life. First off, the cattle call recruiting and hiring any and everybody is questionable. Their turn over rate is SOOO high they must do this. From the time I started to time I left in just a few months there was NOBODY left who I started with. Understandably.

The management is disgraceful. The SGA's Jamison and James preach "loyalty" yet aren't loyal themselves, they're all about their own pockets. They brainwash their staff & pay them like ***. John Ophals is the worst "manager" I have ever had. He thinks he is the man because he drives around a Maserati. The managers actually are forced to buy luxury cars (it's in their contract) and then they line them all up outside the entrance of the building so when ppl come in for interviews everyone gets a false perception that they will be making that money too. It's all really sickening.

The worst part is that you will bust your *** for pennies all the while being made broken promises. If you are smart...run from this agency, run far!!!!


BTW- All those "reviews" on Glassdoor are by employees and being told by management to write those. No other site offers those same reviews. Look into it, it's all a scam.
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Anonymous Anonymous
May 22  from Fortville, Indiana
It's not in the management contract to have a luxurious vehicle. You're delusional and clearly didn't succeed high enough into management to see for yourself. Promises are never made, promises are granted for those whom can work hard enough to earn them. I'm sorry you have zero work ethic and couldn't keep up with the dedicated ones. You made pennies because you chose to sleep, whine, complain, and blog about it. Good luck with that. Mazel!
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Yes, it is:) Yes, it is:)
May 23 
Actually, yes it is...and everybody is aware of this delusion. Oh, if we park all our cars out front it looks like we have status. Those cars belong to James, Jamison, and John. Everybody else has to park in the back so their "avg" cars aren't seen. And it IS in their contract...you are obv one of the "upper management" who is responding. So sad. I actually had great work ethic and it's sad you think those who don't make it there are lazy and complainers. just admit it, you guys are all a bunch of dishonest *** who take advantage of your staff. do you think it's just a coincidence your turn over rate is that high and you hire any *** that comes in. when I interviewed there was a lady in flip flops. zero standards, zero accountability, & and no integrity.


RUN PEOPLE!!!!
Reply
WOW WOW
May 18 
Wow, I used to work there over a year ago, and everything for the most part that is written here about CW is true. I would leave out the personal stuff; I don’t know or care about any of that. I was once told, since I had a shaved head at the time and worked in an area that had a lot of skin head to act like a skin head for sales, which was funny because this was coming from a black man. I cannot sell out like that, but they have a lot of young people that are promised to be making six figures in a year that selling products that they do not understand,” just let the computer do the work for you.” There were so many people coming and going that I just stopped learning names. But to get any idea of how it operated just watch the movie Boiler room, which they actually named a room after the movie. But since I worked for AIL any time someone tries to use any of the tactics or rebuttals on me I see it a mile away and counter act them, which sometimes can be fun. But because of my journey at AIL I now do what I love and never had the guts to do before working at CW. I too have never wanted to work in insurance again because of my time at CW. I was not treated bad or stalked after wards, but their sales tactics and recruitment tactics and especially their meetings are sketchy. I was never paid for my last 3 sales also, shocker.
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Kelley Newman Kelley Newman
May 18 
I wanted to make sure I had seperated from AIL for a while before I posted a comment to this thread. Out of respect to the two agencies I was supporting, I wanted to just let things lie. I have checked in from time to time and had old wounds reopen. Then decided, it was not worth my limited energy to let this *** rent space in my head for free. First off, I had nothing to do with the original post. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I would not hide myself behind an anonymous rant to express my opinion or vent frustrations nor would I find it necessary to vocalize garbage on the internet like this. I did not even know half of that stuff had happened. All I can speak of is my experience. I absolutely loved the time I worked there under my origninal Manager. He gave me an opportunity to do what I love to do and have flexibility to work from home due to my health issue and hectic sobriety schedule. Yes I was making pennies of what I am used to, but I was happy that my needs were met and I was able to take care of my son. It wasnt until he could not afford to pay me that things went haywire. I was tossed under the mercies of the owners for 5 weeks because they "wanted to make sure I was taken care of"; however, my pay frequency was sketchy at best and I did lose my vehicle and continued to work being owed backpay for a few weeks. The last manager I was paid under literally had me come into his office and he said, "You are being paid by me and should be grateful". Now I am all... Show more
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Still?? Really?!?! Still?? Really?!?!
May 15  from Indianapolis, Indiana
...and 8 months later they are still harassing ex AILer's and trying to screw up their lives. Really?!?! Can you guys just get a grip and leave those of us that have left alone!?!? :sigh
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Hilarious company Hilarious company
Apr 22 
I left here after having a bad experience. Something just didn't sit right with me. The phoniness was gimmick is bad enough. I paid for my Green Light course (I will say the class and teacher benefited me a lot, however how do they make you sign a contract to be in class AND NOT PAY YOU?!?!) Stay away. Broken promises, laughable meetings unlike you'll ever experience, and *** management. Ophals is a joke.
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Terrible company Terrible company
Apr 15 
I left this job over the summer. I couldn't have anything better to say about j&j. However, all of the mga's are nothing but ***. They think they've made it in life, when really they are absolutely nobody. Not much money to be made here. Your expenses don't leave much left to be made. It was a terrible expense for me, but I am sure some will be able to make it. It's hard to sell for a company where all of the customers believe the company is a scam and do not want to see you. It's bad when you have to lie on the phone to get in front of someone. Glad I experienced this, but I am so glad to move on to much bigger and better things.
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worst decision of my life... worst decision of my life...
Mar 15 
Seriously, I'm STILL recovering financially from my time at CWFW. I kept hearing "hang in there, it'll all be worth it in the long run". After a long and fruitless training process I went out on my own ONE day and then day two I had a trainee in my car...wtf?! Then when practically everyone else in the office had quit or been fired I was told repeatedly "It would just be easier to fire you and start over from scratch up there, but we're not going to, just saying". THAT'S HOW THEY REWARD LOYALTY! Resources were almost non-existant for help. Trust me - I tried. Gave it all I had. Ended up broke and moving back in with my parents. Left a job making over 40k a year for this ***. They knew how financially busted I was at the end and the solution was for me to go to Indy for 2 weeks without any pay and sleep on "the psycho's" couch. No thank you.
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wow wow
Mar 15  from Indianapolis, Indiana
Holy ***, I hope you find a worthwhile job, soon. It took me almost 4 months, but I started a new job this week making 45k a year processing payroll. I can't wait to get all of the bills caught up and stop feeling like a noose is around my neck.
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Interesting isn't it Interesting isn't it
Feb 25  from Clarksville, Indiana
My brief time there fortunately did not cause too much financial stress as it did so many others on my team. The atmosphere is weird and I worked there when all this happened and every bit of it is true. Karma is a B I T C H because as I hear it, they are struggling now. Offices closing. They brought in Libassi, maybe he can bring some integrity to the whole thing.
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former co-worker former co-worker
Feb 26  from Indianapolis, Indiana
I'm happy to hear you got out before they pulled you to far in. Which offices are closing? Also,from what I hear, Libassi was just as bad as J&J, which is part of why his office closed.
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Yeah... Yeah...
Feb 27  from Greenfield, Indiana
Libassi is worse than J&J. He sleeps with his agents and has a drinking problem, at least J&J have some sort of moral compass. He's lazy too, why do you think after as long as he was an SGA they couldn't even produce? No matter how you package it, moving from an SGA to an MGA is a failure.
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Offices Offices
Mar 03  from Macomb, Michigan
Fort Wayne and Bloomington from what I've heard. No clue how they're affording rent on 4 offices without better production.
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They won't be They won't be
Mar 08  from Clarksville, Indiana
Word has it that they were closing them. They grew too fast anyway. I can understand opening 1 new office every few years but WTF were they thinking about opening 2 offices within an hour from their Indy office. Fort Wayne was a good move but they should have stretched their territory out further.
FALSE FALSE
Mar 08 
No offices are closing, get a new source. CW is growing just fine, serving beautiful families all over Indiana. This business is about the importance of protecting our members and CW will do everything to MAKE IT HAPPEN :)
Thanks Thanks
Mar 08  from Clarksville, Indiana
I briefly met Libassi.. Don't have much of an opinion on him but same weird vibe as I got from almost everyone there who was in any sort of position of "authority". If you want to call it "authority" at all. Really it is "Nazi dictatorship". But anyway, Fort Wayne and Bloomington were pretty much empty. Many people left and moved away from Lafayette. Last time I saw J&J they looked stressed as *** and Ophals running around like the douche bag he is. The morale is shot and they still keep ranting about the whole loyalty thing. Looks like they had loyal people there but they did not take care of them. I wonder how people are doing that have left. The former manager of Ft. Wayne and his recruiter, H L, and Smith. Wish I could just tell them all "I understand".
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Of course.. you are right Of course.. you are right
Mar 08 
They are closing down Fort Wayne. I am sure of that. Not sure of Bloomington. Check out their Facebook page..lol. It's funny, they just keep pressing on which I guess is good but if only their new recruits knew about all of this. And to answer your question. The former MGA of Ft. Wayne is doing ok from what I hear. he cut all ties with AIL. The recruiter moved to another state but still supports an office part time. I hear HL is doing good and has moved on but not sure on the other. She kinda dropped off the face of the planet but I heard she was getting married.

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