JoyceKingGA
Acworth,#2Consumer Comment
Sun, November 14, 2010
She didn't say Aflac was "absolute garbage", but rather said her representative, Lisa Breland, was "absolute garbage", which in her situation was the truth, as it is in mine with Matt Boeshore. I'm wondering how all these unqualified agents are being hired to represent this reputable Fortune 500 company. Let's face it--if there are this many agents acting unethically within one company, then something is wrong! Aflac needs to be called out and help responsible for this. Everything you said Pete sounded just like the spiel Mr. Boeshore gave me when I said I wanted to cancel. Makes me think you guys are brainwashed. It's all the customer's fault, right?
JoyceKingGA
Acworth,#3UPDATE Employee
Sun, November 14, 2010
I've read your complaint, Dawn, and I am in a similar situation. I also read the rebuttals, and those are the first positive things I've heard anyone say about Aflac. Apparently there are thousands of complaints. I am one of them.
Blame the agent? My agent, Matt Boeshore, was just like Lisa, unable to handle his work load. After signing me up in a rushed, ten minute period at the end of my lunch at work, he was gone. He never bothered to explain anything to me, never gave me or sent my anything about what I signed up for, how to file a claim, nothing. I shouldn't have to ask for these things to be provided to me. I signed up for a service, it's up to them to provide good customer service and make sure their customers know how it works. It seems if we are going to blame the agents, then Aflac has too many bad agents to put the blame on, so what does that say about the company? They can't or won't hire good agents who are capable of handling the workload and do their job professionally.
I fell on hard times and needed the extra $102 a month that they were taking out. When I sent him an email asking how to go about canceling my policy, he took his time responding and then told me he would work with to find a policy that works for me, totally ignoring the part about how I want to cancel. When I emailed him back telling him point blank no, I want to cancel, so hit the cancel button on my policy and end it,
he had the gall to tell me I was being demanding and unprofessional, and HE didn't appreciate it! Well, I don't appreciate bad service!
If the agents are to blame, then Aflac needs to do some serious reworking and get agents in there who see these people as valuable customers, and not a quota, not a number, not money in the bank. I am offended by the way these agents are treating the customers.
I am going to jump through the hoops to get my policy canceled, and we'll see how long it takes before no additional money is taken from my paycheck. But with as many complaints as I have been seeing, Aflac needs to take stock in it and do something to fix it.
Count me among those who have had a horrible experience.
Heather
Murphy,#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, April 13, 2006
Dawn: I know you're quite upset at the moment, but please try not to hate me for what I'm about to say.... I head up the HR department for my company and handle all of its benefits. So, I can speak with great authority on how AFLAC benefits need to be cancelled. Your company is enrolled directly with AFLAC. Your company pays the monthly premium to AFLAC, deducts this premium from employee paychecks, and is responsible for notifying AFLAC of cancellations. I understand you expressed a desire to cancel your policy directly with AFLAC, however, unless you notified your HR prior to cancelling with AFLAC, your company would be unaware and would have continued their payroll deduction (and would have forwarded that deducted amount to AFLAC), thereby AFLAC would have continued to get a message that conflicted with your wishes. I'm not saying that AFLAC does not share in the blame, but in the future you need to speak to your HR benefits administrator any time you want to make changes to your coverage. They in turn can immediately adjust your payroll deductions and submit the proper paperwork (or help you fill it out). P.S. Your benefits administrator should also be available to mediate any claims problems like your partially paid claim.
Al
Cumberland,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, April 13, 2006
It is very unfortunate that you got a bad AFLAC rep, it happens with every insurance type company. However, I have found that their type of insurance is useful. I had the accident and short term disability, and when I fell at home and got a hernia, both policies paid out to the tune of $3500 dollars within 2 weeks of submitting the claims forms. That aside, since your AFLAC was purchased through what is called a 'cafeteria plan' and was being directly deducted by your employer, you should've been able to cancel the deduction directly through your HR dept, and they should've been able to provide you with the cancelation forms (although I never seen one or needed anyone to fill it out). I know this because I have been in a hr position doing payroll. AFLAC bills the company monthly, and when you pay the bill you can add/drop employees, but you do not get partial months. So when you cancel, you are canceling for the next month, so the deductions won't end until the end of the covered month. As for your doctor not filling out the forms.... get another doctor... those forms had nothing to do with his practice and he should have had no reason not to, you may want to complain to the medical board, there is ususally a 3 year statute of limitations on that. Good Luck.
Pete
Medford,#6UPDATE Employee
Thu, April 13, 2006
Dawn: About this doctor who couldn't fill out a claim form... The form contains seven questions. 1.) doctor's name 2.) doctor's address 3.) doctors phone number 4.) doctor's fax number 5.) the date he examined you 6.) his diagnosis 7.) were you hospitalized? (yes or no) That's it. My kid could fill it out. Maybe even my cocker spaniel. :-) Pete Long Island, NY
Pete
Medford,#7UPDATE Employee
Thu, April 13, 2006
Dawn: I'm sorry that you've had a negative experience with AFLAC. However, your comments about "AFLAC being absolute garbage" and your plea to employers to "not let these con-artists solicit employees" are somewhat irresponsible and unfortunate. As an independent agent representing AFLAC, I know for a fact that AFLAC is among the best and most responsive companies in the world. I have seen people's lives changed and actually SAVED by their decisions to invest in a disability plan or a cancer paln through AFLAC. I would hate to think that your misdirected comments would result in people not being permitted to make a decision about their own well being. You are a victim of a bad agent. Pure and simple. AFLAC was sandbagged by contracting her, just as you were. This same girl could now be working in a restuarant, and probably wouldn't wash her hands after going to the bathroom. It is unfortunate, but true. Sometimes, people who work for companies are neglectful. However, this doesn't mean that the company is bad. This agent should have made you a priority, but didn't. A simple letter by you and your employer stating your desire to cancel WOULD have been sufficient. AFLAC did cancel your policy as soon as they received your request. Dawn, by all means, you should file a complaint against the agent with your AFLAC regional office, and even the insurance commision in your state. This woman has sullied your opinion of a truly wonderful company. That is really too bad. Pete Long Island, NY