‘Insurance is a Scam’ – Let’s Talk About It
The Spirited Agent: Episode 8
In This Episode: We dive into the common criticism of the insurance industry with special guest Bill Zelenik. Is the frustration rooted in bad experiences, poor communication, or just misunderstanding?
Featured Spirit: Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel from Camp Nelson Warehouse F
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode Notes
The team discusses why people often feel insurance is a scam, distinguishing between different types of insurance experiences, and exploring how life insurance professionals can better communicate value to clients. Bill brings decades of industry experience and shares candid insights about how the right insurance solutions can genuinely change lives—and why that message often gets lost in poor communication.
Key Takeaways for Life Insurance Agents:
- The insurance industry has a major education problem—companies and agents need to do a better job explaining how policies work rather than just selling them.
- Life insurance has one of the best claims payment records in the insurance industry, with nearly all death claims being paid promptly.
- Permanent life insurance serves multiple functions beyond death benefit, including tax planning, retirement supplementation, and providing financial flexibility during life.
- Only 8% of Americans have disability insurance despite it being the number one cause of mortgage defaults.
- The best way to judge an insurance provider is by evaluating the organization selling it rather than just the carrier issuing the policy.
- When faced with clients who feel “scammed,” acknowledge their feelings rather than dismissing them, then explain how your approach differs.
Brought to you by Millennium Brokerage Group, we’re committed to elevating the conversation around insurance while making it accessible and entertaining.
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No matter where you are in your insurance career, Millennium Brokerage Group, LLC supports you with education, tools, and expert insight. We meet you where you are and help you move forward. Start building with us.
Experts in this Episode
Matt Zelenik
Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Millennium Brokerage Group
Matt Zelenik is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Millennium Brokerage Group, where he’s spent over a decade developing strong client relationships and building the firm’s presence in the disability insurance space. Since stepping into his VP role in 2019, Matt has led association partnerships, driven product marketing strategies, and served as the company’s resident disability insurance expert. He also hosts The Spirited Agent podcast, where he interviews industry leaders and advisors on life insurance, planning, and everything in between.
Jason Combs
Executive Vice President at Millennium Brokerage Group
Jason Combs is the Executive Vice President at Millennium Brokerage Group, bringing over 25 years of experience in life insurance, retirement income planning, and advanced markets. Since joining Millennium in 2018, Jason has played a key role in expanding the firm’s reach and helping agents deliver high-impact solutions in wealth transfer, long-term care, and income protection.
Prior to Millennium, Jason spent two decades with Nationwide, where he served in multiple leadership roles including Regional Vice President and Business Development VP, covering key markets across Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
Bill Zelenik
Founder and CEO of Millennium Brokerage Group
William L. Zelenik is the founder and CEO of Millennium Brokerage Group, established in 1998. With over four decades of experience in the life insurance industry, Bill previously spent 19 years at Aetna, Inc., where he served as Regional Vice President for Life Brokerage. He specialized in advanced underwriting and estate planning for independent producers. Bill was featured on the cover of Life Insurance Selling in the article “A New Leader for a Changing Business.” He holds a BA in Economics from Vanderbilt University and continues to lead Millennium with a focus on innovation, strategy, and advisor support.
Insurance Insights &
Premium Spirits
The Spirited Agent was created to empower insurance professionals to navigate the ever-evolving world of insurance and grow their business. Each episode features candid conversations about the insurance industry, financial planning strategies, and the challenges agents face in today’s market.
Our hosts Matt Zelenik and Jason Combs, along with special guests, share valuable insights while sampling premium spirits, creating an engaging and enjoyable listening experience. Whether you’re an insurance professional looking to enhance your practice or someone interested in better understanding insurance and financial planning, The Spirited Agent offers wisdom worth sipping on.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Brought to you by Millennium Brokerage Group, we’re committed to elevating the conversation around insurance while making it accessible and entertaining.
