17/09/2021
When I first got into business, my close friend become one of my first clients. He didn't do it because he believed or understood that he needed it; instead, he felt he was doing me a favor. And he remined me all the time he was doing it for my benefit.
It got to the point that when I'd walk in the house, he'd call to his wife, "Bring the check book, Billy's here." That's how every conversation began, with sarcasm. I sold him life insurance when he got married, and I kept after him about disability. Disability insurance was very tough sale because he just didn't see the need for it, but I kept at him about it.
Finally, he relented on the disability. He still didn't think he needed it, but he felt it was a favor to me. I told him, "I want you to know that's not the case. My life is not going to change because you bought this policy form me. But yours will if something ever happens."
I took the application, but I was really bothered that he thought he was doing me the favor. Since I knew it was the right thing, I kept my ego out of it.
A few years later he wound up in the hospital. He hadn't been feeling well and when he visited the doctor, they realized something was seriously wrong. He would need immediate surgery or he would die.
They had to bring in a special surgeon to do the operation. My friend was told he should call his family, because there was a very high probability he wouldn't leave the operating room alive.
Luckily he survived, but he spent more than a month in the hospital recuperating. He was 38 years old, and has been disabled ever since. He has been collecting disability and received $8,000 a month tax-free. He still took a cut in terms of what he was earning versus what he's making on disability, but now he has a completely different attitude when he sees me.
His attitude with his family has changed as well. He has become a better father. Before his illness, he was working 12-to-14-hour shifts. In the last seven years, he hasn't missed a ballgame or a recital. He's Mr. Mom, driving his kids everywhere. His kids know him better now than they ever have.
He is still able to provide for himself and his family. This is the power of what we do.
Disability insurance was a very tough sale because he just didn't see the need for it.