Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health, and life insurance products, and a Chubb company, continues to expand its commitment to the Hispanic/Latino market with the launch of a new Latino Sales Zone that includes Puerto Rico, Florida, Illinois, Texas, California, and Arizona—representing the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the nation.
Additionally, the company is committed to hiring more than 300 bilingual sales agents this year, increasing its total to more than 600 bilingual sales agents to serve Hispanic/Latino customers.
In 2015, thirty percent of Combined Insurance’s corporate staff hires were bilingual in Spanish and English. The salesforce grew their bilingual footprint as well, with more than 300 bilingual sales agents hired and trained last year.
The organization also launched a Spanish Career Development program to train and prepare bilingual agents to serve customers entirely in Spanish.
The Latino Zone is led by Regional Director, Vicente Lugo and key sales executives, Modesto Flores and Miguel Cruz. Combined Insurance’s Latino program goes beyond just offering customers product information in Spanish. The core of the initiative, as Flores explains, is about connecting with and educating Hispanic consumers about supplemental insurance.
"This initiative thrives on professionals who are hard-working, committed, and goal-oriented — qualities that Latinos are exposed to at a young age," said Flores.
"Combined Insurance offers an opportunity for agents to engage with members of their communities and provide meaningful services to families and individuals in the language they prefer. We are building a team of leaders and are hiring insurance agents who represent a new evolution in how our community is served in this industry."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of U.S. residents five and older who spoke Spanish at home increased to 38.4 million in 2013, a 120 percent increase since 1990, when it was 17.3 million.
David Escontrias, Field Development Manager, National Latino Markets, began his career with Combined Insurance as a Bilingual Corporate Trainer. Currently, Escontrias travels throughout the Latino Zone, conducting agent development training in Spanish.
Escontrias says that the sales fundamentals and principles, which date back in the insurance industry more than 90 years, still hold true among field sales agents at Combined Insurance today.
"The values instilled in this company by our founder W. Clement Stone of a positive mental attitude and enthusiasm are still alive today," said Escontrias.
"This is what makes us different and what makes us great. Our agents are here to help Spanish-speaking customers by providing them with great products and service. We want Hispanics and Latinos to think of Combined Insurance first, when choosing supplemental insurance that is right for them."
Combined Insurance Company of America (Chicago, IL) is a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products and a Chubb company.