Are insurance businesses profitable?

Asked by: Amelie Leffler  |  Last update: July 31, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (33 votes)

According to industry experts, most insurance agency owners operate with an average profit margin of 2% to 10%.

What type of insurance is most profitable?

Life insurance is the most profitable—and the hardest—type of insurance to sell. With the highest premiums and the longest-running contract, it brings in cash over a long period of time. In the first year, agents make the largest annual sum on a policy, bringing in anywhere from 40–120% of the policy premium.

Can you make a lot of money in insurance?

As of early 2023, the average annual pay for a Life insurance agent in the United States was $83,442 a year. The top four paying states for Life insurance agents are New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Life agents in these states earn higher salaries than the national average.

Are insurance companies a good investment?

Insurance distribution, especially in commercial lines, has proved to be the most resilient subsegment within the broad spectrum of financial services investing, even after considering the impact of increased debt costs (due to higher interest rates) in a segment that relies heavily on debt financing and M&A.

Is insurance a lucrative business?

According to industry experts, most insurance agency owners operate with an average profit margin of 2% to 10%.

Insurance Companies: How they make money | Primerli

34 related questions found

What is the future of the insurance industry?

To become true digital leaders, insurers must explore ways to automate and digitize their core value proposition, embedding risk prevention and engineering services directly into the structure of protection products and within routine interactions (e.g., renewing policies, submitting claims).

Can I become a millionaire selling insurance?

If you have a great work ethic and are willing to place yourself out there to establish relationships with clients, you will get more opportunities to earn a higher income. Selling insurance may even make you a millionaire.

What type of insurance sales makes the most money?

While there are many kinds of insurance (ranging from auto insurance to health insurance), the most lucrative career in the insurance field is for those selling life insurance.

What is passive income from selling insurance?

Benefit #4: Passive Income

Your commission percentage on a policy drops after the first year, but you keep earning 5% to 10% as long as the policyholder pays their monthly premium. This is passive income you receive each month without even having to get out of bed.

Who is the richest person in insurance?

1. Warren Buffett. Buffett once again secures the top spot on the list of the country's wealthiest insurance tycoons. The man known as the “Oracle of Omaha” currently sits in the tenth spot of Forbes' overall rankings with a net worth of $103.6 billion.

What is the fastest growing insurance type?

InsurTech firms have been showing significant growth in the areas of auto, home ownership and cyber insurance. Such strong growth will stimulate traditional insurers to either acquire technology capabilities or partner with InsurTech companies.

What is the best type of insurance for a small business?

General liability is recommended for all small businesses

Almost every small business needs general liability insurance. This liability coverage provides protection against common customer or client accidents, including bodily injuries, property damage, and personal injuries.

Is it hard to own an insurance company?

California has one of the strictest insurance regulations in the US. It's not surprising that launching an insurance business in the state is no simple feat.

How much money should you save to start an insurance agency?

Depending on the size and structure of the business, industry experts estimate startup capital of between $50,000 and $500,000, possibly even more.

How much do I need to open an insurance company?

These include the business structure, where you intend to start your company, and the types of policies you plan to offer. On average, aspiring insurance business owners will need a startup capital of $50,000 to $500,000, possibly even more.

What is the hardest insurance to sell?

Life insurance is a very difficult product to sell.

Why are insurance agents so rich?

One of the primary reasons insurance agents can accumulate wealth is their commission-based income structure. Unlike salaried employees, agents earn a percentage of the premiums they sell to clients. As they build a client base and generate more sales, their income potential increases.

How stressful is insurance sales?

High-stress levels

The insurance industry can be a demanding and highly competitive field. Insurance agents often face pressure to achieve their goals while simultaneously providing exceptional customer service, meeting sales quotas, and staying abreast of industry regulations.

Why is selling insurance so hard?

The hardest part of being an insurance agent often revolves around the constant need for lead generation and sales. Many agents struggle with the cold calling aspect, where rejection is frequent, and maintaining a steady stream of new clients can be challenging.

How many policies does an insurance agent sell per month?

How many policies does an insurance agent sell? According to the financial reports, the Official Number is 2.5 policies per month. However, many people just do it part-time.

What are the cons of being an insurance agent?

Cons of working in insurance sales

For some people, the thought of earning commissions is appealing. For others, it can cause stress and worry about their future financial situation. New insurance agents often work long hours to build and strengthen relationships and get their names out in the industry.

What is the biggest threat to the insurance industry?

Cybersecurity threats

75% of US companies are vulnerable to cyberattacks – and, given they hold sensitive client data, insurance firms are some of the most lucrative targets. This doesn't just pose a threat to the data itself; a breach can erode client trust and create long-term reputation damage.

Are people leaving the insurance industry?

Nearly 400,000 employees are expected to retire from the insurance industry workforce within the next few years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Which insurance companies are going out of business?

  • 2024. PHL Variable Insurance Company. CT.
  • 2004. Western United Life Assurance Co. WA.
  • 2003. Villanova Insurance Company. PA.
  • 1998. Universal Life Insurance Company. ...
  • 2010. Universal Life Insurance Company. ...
  • 2013. Universal Health Care Insurance Company, Inc. ...
  • 1993. Unison International Life Insurance Company. ...
  • 2022. Time Insurance Company.