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AFLAC lies to get you to sign up Ripoff Davenport Iowa
I got pregnant in June of 2005. Because my employer did not want to pay me maternity leave (there was no written policy), I signed up for AFLAC with Kae Birdsell, a local agent.
She told me that while I couldn't sign up for disability because I was already pregnant, I could sign up for their hospital indemnity plan. She even wrote down the amounts that my son and I would receive and told me (and my mother who was with me) that a check would be mailed to us within two weeks of his birth.
When I had my son in March of 2006 I had the necessary papers filled out at the hospital. I faxed them to my agent within a few days, and she forwarded them to the corporate office.
After a couple of weeks I received a letter saying that my claim was denied becuase my pregnancy was a pre-existing condition. I called my agent who assured me it was a mistake and asked me to fax her my release papers from the hospital. After doing so, she re-filed the claim.
Again I receive a denial letter. I call my agent again and she says that she needs an itemized bill from the hospital. I obtain this within a few days and fax that to her. Again she refiles the claim.
Meanwhile I call AFLAC's corporate office and they tell me that I was already pregnant when I signed up, so tough luck. I explained that Kae told me this would be covered and that is why I signed up in the first place. Their customer service rep told me, "I'm sorry, I guess your agent gave you the wrong information. You need to talk to her about that." Well, she isn't going to pay me my claim, is she?
After complaining for several minutes the rep finally gave me his fax number so i could fax them my statement, which I do the same day. Their rep also told me to call and check on the status of my complaint in two days.
I called them several time within the next three weeks and the only information they give me is, "we received your letter and nothing is resolved yet. Call back again in a few days."
Now, ten and a half weeks after my son was born, I receive a letter from Aflac stating that they reviewed my claim and are denying it again, regardless of the fact that my agent lied to me and I have wasted eight months worth of premiums.
I've been struggling to pay my bills after not receiving a paycheck for six weeks. I was lied to by my agent to get me to sign up for this plan. I used to belive that maybe she just didn't know enough about their plans, now I belive she deliberatly lied to me, so she could get some commission. I hope it's worth it to her if I end up losing my house because I couldn't pay my mortgage.
AFLAC is a scam. They will find any way possible to not pay you when you have a claim. They will give you the run-around for months. They don't care at all about us, they just want to steal our money. Yes, I had a bad agent, but the company should stand behind me and rectify this situation! Just saying, "Yeah, our agent was wrong..." isn't going to pay me my money, is it?!?
Sarah
Davenport, Iowa
U.S.A.
28 Updates & Rebuttals
Aaron
Rock Island,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Insurance is Insurance
#29Consumer Comment
Fri, December 26, 2008
You should not be making money on it. The fact that you went looking for insurance you could make money off of is sad. I bet you canceled the policy after this as well. Aflack should have refunded your premiums and been done with it.
Aaron
Rock Island,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Insurance is Insurance
#29Consumer Comment
Fri, December 26, 2008
You should not be making money on it. The fact that you went looking for insurance you could make money off of is sad. I bet you canceled the policy after this as well. Aflack should have refunded your premiums and been done with it.
Dsc
New York,New York,
U.S.A.
he's still a lousy district
#29UPDATE Employee
Wed, July 16, 2008
This District Manager keeps popping up claiming how bad Aflac is and how bad the training is. If you've read any of his other posts you will realize that he must have been the worst District Manager in the History of Aflac. I am currently a DSC in New York and I take care of my clients as well as my agents. I make sure that their training is complete (which is part of a DSC's job) I also make sure that they make the policy holder the priority. Now not all policyholders get the answers they want and when they don't it's automatically our fault. Well that's just part of the business. Are their mistakes made? Sure there are, that's why agents carry error and omission insurance.
This former district manager is probably a former manager for a reason. He definitly has an ax to grind. I hope he does well with Allstate and after he gets fired there he can write about them here.
Awwwwrealbs
Newatl,California,
U.S.A.
Allstate?
#29Consumer Suggestion
Sun, July 13, 2008
Allstate has more reports on here then any other company I've seen on not paying claims. Wait a minute... I bet you work for ALLSTATE!
District Manager
Capitol,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Crappy company
#29Consumer Suggestion
Thu, June 26, 2008
I was with the "duck" for quite a few years. I can say that many, many, many people have experienced situations such as yours.
The biggest reason- AFLAC has a very high new agent recruiting quota. If you can breathe, you're qualified to be recruited. Their focus is getting new agents, not helping you.
Their training is the WORST in the industry!
Put 10 AFLAC agents ina room, and you'll get 10 different versions on how their plans work.
I left to join a reputable company where their plans are less expensive (AFLAC is very expensive compared to all the others), the benefits pay more, and the customer service actually exists.
Do what thousands of employers are doing as we speak- shop for alternative companies. Colonial life, Allstate, etc.
Cori Jett
Midlothian,Texas,
U.S.A.
Wonderful experience with K. Birdsell and AFLAC
#29Consumer Comment
Tue, March 25, 2008
I recently had a wonderful experience with both Kae Birdsell and AFLAC. My son was born nearly three months ago, and AFLAC was and is consistent, reliable, prompt, and true to their policies. Everything my agent, Kae Birdsell, said and provided was accurate.
As there appears to be confusion among readers on this issue, here is some helpful general information:
It is my understanding that until July 2007, the state of Iowa allowed women to take out these insurance policies during the first three months of their pregnancies. AFLAC, because of state law, would provide insurance as long as the person covered had the policy for at least six months. The separate policy for the baby obviously would not require the six month period.
Now Iowa requires individuals to have the policy in effect for at least 10 months, which is consistent with other states' policies, is in line with other comments made by readers, is more logical, and is definitely more cost-effective for AFLAC.
In my case, I had our baby exactly six months from the date I signed the paperwork, but the policy didn't take effect until the next day (a fact of which I was fully aware as it was stated in the policy paperwork). Despite being a day shy of the six month requirement, AFLAC still paid the full coverage amounts for both myself and my child (in less than two weeks!).
Thank you to Kae and AFLAC!
Sarah
Davenport,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Try Again
#29Author of original report
Mon, March 17, 2008
Actually, I gave birth one day after my due date. Any other questions???
Charles
Taylor Ridge IL,Illinois,
U.S.A.
not so...she does not have all the facts
#29Consumer Comment
Sun, March 16, 2008
regarding kae birdsell with aflac. i have been a policy holder for many years with Kae and she has always been truthful and up front with me about everything with regards to my plloicys. I have had claims and THEY always paid me what I expected. The problem with this Sarah person is that she did not have all the facts I am figuring. My daughters had this same policy as Sarah and Aflac paid them as they expected...more than actually.
When signing them up for this pregnacy plan..there neither of my daughters could give birth befroe a certain time. which is understandable consindering what is being covered. if they did then the plan would only pay for the mother and not the baby. if they delivered after a certain time then both baby and mother were covered. i think sarah was not paying attention when kae explained the policy and she gave birth before that certain time. for a $115.00/per month both my daughters received over $5000 and they had the plans for only 7 months. sounds good to me
Charles
Taylor Ridge IL,Illinois,
U.S.A.
not so...she does not have all the facts
#29Consumer Comment
Sun, March 16, 2008
regarding kae birdsell with aflac. i have been a policy holder for many years with Kae and she has always been truthful and up front with me about everything with regards to my plloicys. I have had claims and THEY always paid me what I expected. The problem with this Sarah person is that she did not have all the facts I am figuring. My daughters had this same policy as Sarah and Aflac paid them as they expected...more than actually.
When signing them up for this pregnacy plan..there neither of my daughters could give birth befroe a certain time. which is understandable consindering what is being covered. if they did then the plan would only pay for the mother and not the baby. if they delivered after a certain time then both baby and mother were covered. i think sarah was not paying attention when kae explained the policy and she gave birth before that certain time. for a $115.00/per month both my daughters received over $5000 and they had the plans for only 7 months. sounds good to me
Charles
Taylor Ridge IL,Illinois,
U.S.A.
not so...she does not have all the facts
#29Consumer Comment
Sun, March 16, 2008
regarding kae birdsell with aflac. i have been a policy holder for many years with Kae and she has always been truthful and up front with me about everything with regards to my plloicys. I have had claims and THEY always paid me what I expected. The problem with this Sarah person is that she did not have all the facts I am figuring. My daughters had this same policy as Sarah and Aflac paid them as they expected...more than actually.
When signing them up for this pregnacy plan..there neither of my daughters could give birth befroe a certain time. which is understandable consindering what is being covered. if they did then the plan would only pay for the mother and not the baby. if they delivered after a certain time then both baby and mother were covered. i think sarah was not paying attention when kae explained the policy and she gave birth before that certain time. for a $115.00/per month both my daughters received over $5000 and they had the plans for only 7 months. sounds good to me
Charles
Taylor Ridge IL,Illinois,
U.S.A.
not so...she does not have all the facts
#29Consumer Comment
Sun, March 16, 2008
regarding kae birdsell with aflac. i have been a policy holder for many years with Kae and she has always been truthful and up front with me about everything with regards to my plloicys. I have had claims and THEY always paid me what I expected. The problem with this Sarah person is that she did not have all the facts I am figuring. My daughters had this same policy as Sarah and Aflac paid them as they expected...more than actually.
When signing them up for this pregnacy plan..there neither of my daughters could give birth befroe a certain time. which is understandable consindering what is being covered. if they did then the plan would only pay for the mother and not the baby. if they delivered after a certain time then both baby and mother were covered. i think sarah was not paying attention when kae explained the policy and she gave birth before that certain time. for a $115.00/per month both my daughters received over $5000 and they had the plans for only 7 months. sounds good to me
Defendtruth
Killeen,Texas,
U.S.A.
Aflac agent
#29UPDATE Employee
Sat, February 02, 2008
Your agent was definately at fault for not fully explaining your options. Anyone reading this not happy with Aflac. It's not Aflac you're unhappy with... it's your agent. I've been selling Aflac for 8 years in the same town. 2500 policyowners. I couldn't stay in business long (at least here) if Aflac (the company) didn't do what it says it will do. You have an agent issue, call 800 992-3522, connect to Policyholder Services, and ask the rep for the agents RSC name and phone number.
Get 'er done.
Defendtruth
Killeen,Texas,
U.S.A.
Aflac agent
#29UPDATE Employee
Sat, February 02, 2008
Your agent was definately at fault for not fully explaining your options. Anyone reading this not happy with Aflac. It's not Aflac you're unhappy with... it's your agent. I've been selling Aflac for 8 years in the same town. 2500 policyowners. I couldn't stay in business long (at least here) if Aflac (the company) didn't do what it says it will do. You have an agent issue, call 800 992-3522, connect to Policyholder Services, and ask the rep for the agents RSC name and phone number.
Get 'er done.
Defendtruth
Killeen,Texas,
U.S.A.
Aflac agent
#29UPDATE Employee
Sat, February 02, 2008
Your agent was definately at fault for not fully explaining your options. Anyone reading this not happy with Aflac. It's not Aflac you're unhappy with... it's your agent. I've been selling Aflac for 8 years in the same town. 2500 policyowners. I couldn't stay in business long (at least here) if Aflac (the company) didn't do what it says it will do. You have an agent issue, call 800 992-3522, connect to Policyholder Services, and ask the rep for the agents RSC name and phone number.
Get 'er done.
Defendtruth
Killeen,Texas,
U.S.A.
Aflac agent
#29UPDATE Employee
Sat, February 02, 2008
Your agent was definately at fault for not fully explaining your options. Anyone reading this not happy with Aflac. It's not Aflac you're unhappy with... it's your agent. I've been selling Aflac for 8 years in the same town. 2500 policyowners. I couldn't stay in business long (at least here) if Aflac (the company) didn't do what it says it will do. You have an agent issue, call 800 992-3522, connect to Policyholder Services, and ask the rep for the agents RSC name and phone number.
Get 'er done.
Jeff
Cranston,Rhode Island,
U.S.A.
Great Sarah!
#29UPDATE Employee
Sat, September 30, 2006
Sarah
I am happy that you got paid - and as you stated insurance is state specific - that is why the people at Headquarters probably might not have been as familiar with that state specific info - that doesnt make it right - BUT - AFLAC is not looking for ways to get out of paying claims - they have the highest rate of claims payment in the industry.
AFLAC has 50 million policyholders worldwide - I am sorry you are one of the 12 that have complaints serious enough to post on the internet - my advice to anyone with a problem with AFLAC is to find the State Sales Coordinator for AFLAC in your state - and contact them - they will escalate and fix all valid problems.
Again - I am happy you got your money!!!!
Jeff Sock
District Sales Coordinator
AFLAC
Rhode Island
Sarah
Davenport,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Happy to Report
#29Author of original report
Sat, September 02, 2006
Several weeks ago AFLAC admitted they were wrong in denying my claim and paid me the money that I was owed. The agent that "misrepresented the company" was also reprimanded. Thank you to Cindy who provided me with helpful suggestions. And to everyone else who insisted I was wrong...The good guy won in the end. As I stated before, in the state of Iowa you are allowed to purchase an insurance policy to cover a pregnancy no matter how far along your pregnancy is. I guess some people really have a problem reading...they only see what they want to see.
Sarah
Davenport,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Happy to Report
#29Author of original report
Sat, September 02, 2006
Several weeks ago AFLAC admitted they were wrong in denying my claim and paid me the money that I was owed. The agent that "misrepresented the company" was also reprimanded. Thank you to Cindy who provided me with helpful suggestions. And to everyone else who insisted I was wrong...The good guy won in the end. As I stated before, in the state of Iowa you are allowed to purchase an insurance policy to cover a pregnancy no matter how far along your pregnancy is. I guess some people really have a problem reading...they only see what they want to see.
Sarah
Davenport,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Happy to Report
#29Author of original report
Sat, September 02, 2006
Several weeks ago AFLAC admitted they were wrong in denying my claim and paid me the money that I was owed. The agent that "misrepresented the company" was also reprimanded. Thank you to Cindy who provided me with helpful suggestions. And to everyone else who insisted I was wrong...The good guy won in the end. As I stated before, in the state of Iowa you are allowed to purchase an insurance policy to cover a pregnancy no matter how far along your pregnancy is. I guess some people really have a problem reading...they only see what they want to see.
Sarah
Davenport,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Happy to Report
#29Author of original report
Sat, September 02, 2006
Several weeks ago AFLAC admitted they were wrong in denying my claim and paid me the money that I was owed. The agent that "misrepresented the company" was also reprimanded. Thank you to Cindy who provided me with helpful suggestions. And to everyone else who insisted I was wrong...The good guy won in the end. As I stated before, in the state of Iowa you are allowed to purchase an insurance policy to cover a pregnancy no matter how far along your pregnancy is. I guess some people really have a problem reading...they only see what they want to see.
Brandy
Phenix City,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Well I did read the entire report...
#29Consumer Suggestion
Fri, September 01, 2006
Honestly, he is correct in asking if he missed something. You don't take out a policy after you experience the event, you take it out before hand. You can purchase the policy while you are pregnant but that does not mean that you will be paid benefits for having a child that you were already pregnant with.
Brandy
Phenix City,Alabama,
U.S.A.
I have to disagree...
#29Consumer Suggestion
Fri, September 01, 2006
Please rest assure that Aflac is in no way shape form or fashion a scam. Aflac is a company that is dedicated to helping people in the time of need. However, just like any business, there are rules and regulations. Claims have to be reviewed and processed based on the Insurance laws in your state. If your state has a guideline regarding specifics on paying out a claim, then we have to honor that. Some agents may phrase things incorrectly or they may be comprehended incorrectly, however, in the end, what is in black and white in your policy is what will ultimately be the deciding factor in getting a claim paid.
Donna
San Diego,California,
U.S.A.
AFLAC doesn't lie to you
#29UPDATE Employee
Wed, August 30, 2006
Dear Sarah,
I am really sorry for your experience with AFLAC because it's weird. Your rep was obviously honest enough with you to make sure you didn't sign up for disability when she knew you wouldn't be able to claim it. So I doubt that her ultimate goal in signing you with a Hospital Plan was to rip you off and gather commissions.
it also doesn't sound to me like she would willingly write down on paper what you could expect with your mother right there, if she didn't think she could fulfill her promise. So I guess my advice is to to escalate within her office instead of the Columbia people, they will know how to handle this because everything is basically State specific (as is with all insurance, based on state laws) and if your HR person or whoever signed the bottom line account for AFLAC calls them with you, I'm really certain that you'll get this fixed.
I really wish you the best and I know that however pissed off you are right now, I think you can work it out with them. I also must say that although when someone gets to the point of writing here things have to be really bad, but there's 12 complaints against AFLAC and we complete multi-multi millions of dollars in claims
Sarah
Davenport,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Maybe you should read the report...
#29Consumer Comment
Thu, June 08, 2006
Perhaps you should read the entire report instead of assuming that you know more about it than you do. In the state of Iowa you are allowed to purchase insurance to cover your pregnancy, after you are already pregnant. And as I mentioned in my report, the insurnace agent who sold me the policy guaranteed coverage of my pregnancy. So yeah, I guess you're missing several things.
Honest Sam
Bay Area,California,
U.S.A.
Am I missing something
#29Consumer Comment
Wed, June 07, 2006
You buy insurance after you get pregnant and then are wondering why they wont pay up? Isn't that like getting in a car accident and afterwards buying car insurance and wondering why they wont pay?
Sorry, what am I missing?
Cindy
Caledonia,Michigan,
U.S.A.
They are at it again
#29Consumer Comment
Tue, June 06, 2006
OK so an update on mine. I thought everything had been settled with these people until yesterday in the mail I received notice that they cancelled my policy back to the effective date of March 1st. Mind you, they paid a claim under this policy already for over $1200 and they are now trying to say I never had a policy. The letter was dated May 13 and I just received it yesterday and the postmark on the envelope was June 1st.
UNBELIEVABLE is all I can say. How do you pay a $1300 claim and then say you are cancelling the policy back to the begining? Working at an insurance agency, I have told all of my co workers about this and none of us get it. I am sure that legally they do not have this option. I am now in the process of fighting with them again and will file another complaint with the insurance commision on this.
Today our payroll department said they have issues with AFLAC ALL of the time and it has become a nightmare. I can believe that because it has been for me!! I have been dealing with them since a week after I got out of the hospital with 2 major surgeries and still am. AMAZING and discouraging!!! SO ANGRY!!!
Sarah
Davenport,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Still trying...
#29Author of original report
Wed, May 31, 2006
Cindy, thank you very much for your suggestions. I have already filed a report with the Better Business Bureau and the Iowa Insurance Division. It's been about ten days and I haven't heard anything yet. AFLAC has until June 6th to respond to my complaints. I'll keep you updated as soon as I know anything. Thanks again!
Cindy
Caledonia,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Please don't let them get away with this
#29Consumer Suggestion
Wed, May 31, 2006
Hi! I just read you complaint. I also have a complaint filed on here against AFLAC. I however did not let them win and don't think you should either. I filed a complaint with my State's insurance commision and think you should also. A short time after the complaint was filed, low and behold, a supervisor from the company called me. I ended up receiving my short term disability and my hospitilization after this because I did not just give up. I am a licensed claims adjuster and know that no insurance company wants a complaint filed with the state. I also know that if an agent represents a company wrong that the company will most likely be help responsible to pay you. Please don't just let this go. File a complaint with your state insurance commision, call AFLAC and your agent and let them know you did this and see what the response is. Keep us updated on the progress. Let me know how it goes!