Can you make a living as an insurance agent?
Asked by: Ms. Kattie Wilderman | Last update: September 30, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (6 votes)
How profitable is an insurance agent?
Typically, a life insurance agent receives anywhere from 30% to 90% of the amount paid for a policy (also known as the premium) by the client in the first year. In later years, the agent may receive anywhere from 3% to 10% of each year's premium, also known as "renewals" or "trailing commissions."
Can you make a living being an insurance agent?
Successful life insurance agents can make very high incomes. It's not unusual for the successful ones to make $1000000 or more per year.
Do insurance agents make a lot of money?
As per ZipRecruiter, as of Oct 17, 2024, the average annual pay for a Licensed Insurance Agent in the United States is $71,292 a year. Generally, an insurance agent makes money via commissions. It's the most common form of compensation for insurance agents.
Why do most life insurance agents quit?
Research shows (opens in a new window) that 80% of finance and insurance agents feel they aren't valued at work; they feel they are “only evaluated on what went wrong or could have been done better.” This is a major issue for finding and retaining top talent, which is more important than ever (opens in a new window).
If I Wanted to Become a Millionaire In 2025, I'd Do This
Do life insurance agents become millionaires?
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 is the disadvantages of being an insurance agent?
Insurance agents often face pressure to achieve their goals while simultaneously providing exceptional customer service, meeting sales quotas, and staying abreast of industry regulations. This, combined with the responsibility of safeguarding clients' financial well-being, can make for a stressful work environment.
Is it hard to sell life insurance?
Life insurance is a very difficult product to sell. Simply getting your prospect to acknowledge and discuss the fact they are going to die is a hard first step. When and if you clear that hurdle, your next task is creating urgency so they buy right away.
How many hours do insurance agents work?
Insurance Agents generally work between 40 to 50 hours per week, but this can fluctuate depending on client needs, policy renewals, and sales goals. Many agents have the flexibility to set their own schedules, which can lead to working evenings or weekends to accommodate clients.
Which insurance license makes the most money?
- Insurance Agent.
- Insurance Underwriter.
- Actuary.
- Personal Finance Advisors.
- Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators.
How many policies does an insurance agent sell per month?
About on average 25 to 40 per month. 2.5 policies per month is the Official Number from the financial reports. But many people do it part time. 10 on average.
Is it hard to be a successful insurance agent?
While some agents achieve significant financial success, others find it difficult to make a stable income, especially in their first year. Success typically requires a strong book of business, effective referral networks, and the ability to sell multiple types of insurance products.
What is the most profitable type of insurance to sell?
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.
How much money do I need to start my own 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.
Is there a demand for insurance agents?
Projected Growth through 2022
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the insurance industry is projected to grow 10% by 2022 from where it was in 2012. Breaking the numbers down further: Total insurance sales agent jobs are projected to grow by 11% Total jobs for related occupations are projected to grow by 7%
Can a insurance agent be a millionaire?
It isn't the most glamorous profession, and it often gets associated with pushy salespeople that force their products down your throat. But here is the reality: there is a lot of money in the money business! The financial services industry has created more millionaires than any other industry.
Why do insurance agents earn so much?
Most professionals who sell insurance are paid largely on a commission basis. In fact, most agents aren't even employees of the carrier. More often than not, they're independent contractors who are compensated based on how much they sell, with higher commissions for certain types of products.
Who is the highest paid insurance agent in the world?
Gideon du Plessis failed in the 10th standard and never went to college. He is today the highest earning insurance agent in the world, with annual commissions amounting to Rs 7 crore (Rs 70 million) plus. A record he has maintained over the last 12-14 years, selling 700 policies yearly.
Do insurance agents get a base salary?
Insurance agents usually make money through commissions, with the commission amount often depending on the type and number of insurance policies they have sold and whether these policies are new or renewals.
What is the hardest part of being an insurance agent?
Agents and brokers who listen carefully to what their clients and prospects say will be able to earn their trust, which is the hardest part of their job.
Is it worth it to be a life insurance agent?
The Bottom Line. Those who have a knack for selling life insurance, and the perseverance to grind through the tough early years, can make a lot of money and retire with a high degree of financial worth. However, life insurance agents, to be successful, must accept short-term pain in exchange for long-term gain.
Why do most life insurance agents fail?
The most commonly cited reason insurance agents fail is that they fail to listen to their customers and take the time to find the best product to suit their needs. Agents who bring the right solutions to customers build trust, and that helps them build a book of loyal customers.
Does selling insurance pay well?
How much does a Selling Insurance make? As of Jan 17, 2025, the average annual pay for a Selling Insurance in the United States is $78,517 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $37.75 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,509/week or $6,543/month.
Why is selling insurance so hard?
There is a very high turnover rate in insurance sales & you have to constantly keep up with rules changing, plan changes, etc. Being a broker means you can offer people the plan that works best for their needs, not just shove the one company you're contracted with in their face knowing better is actually out there.