Do you actually make money selling life insurance?
Asked by: Ludwig Gleichner Jr. | Last update: August 15, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (56 votes)
How profitable is selling life insurance?
Whether you are selling them to employers or individuals, these policies tend to be large, with significant annual premiums. In the first year, a life insurance agent can earn anywhere from 30% to 90% of this premium, along with 5% to 10% of premiums paid in later years.
Is life insurance a good way to make money?
The reason that life insurance is still profitable is that, for long-term insurance (whole life or longer term life insurance), they have a huge amount of time to invest that money that's coming in.
How much do you make when you sell a life insurance policy?
At the low end of a life settlement, you can expect to receive around 10% of the policy's face value. That means for the $150,000 average policy we mentioned earlier, you would receive around $15,000 in a lump sum of cash after a life settlement.
How much do life insurance salesmen make per sale?
Commission structures vary by policy and company. But typically, life insurance agents receive as commission 60% to 80% of the premiums you pay in the first year. They collect smaller commissions in subsequent years. Added up, 5% to 10% of all the premiums you pay over the life of the policy could go to commissions.
How I Make 10k Per Week Selling Life Insurance From Home At Age 23
Is being a life insurance agent worth it?
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.
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.
Is it hard selling life insurance?
Why Is Life Insurance So Hard To Sell? It's hard to sell because it deals with the topic of death. That's something many people find difficult to consider or discuss. Furthermore, it's hard to keep trying to sell because agents find that they can't make enough money to support themselves.
How much can you sell a $100,000 life insurance policy for?
A typical life settlement is worth around 20% of your policy value, but can range from 10-25%. So for a 100,000 dollar policy, you would be looking at anywhere from 10,000 to 25,000 dollars.
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.
Can you become a millionaire being a life insurance agent?
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 downside of life insurance?
Cons of life insurance
One disadvantage of life insurance is that the older you are, the more you'll pay for a policy. This is because you're more likely to pass away during the policy period than a younger policyholder and will, in turn, cost the life insurance company more money.
How do I convert my life insurance to cash?
- Take out a policy loan. Whole life insurance lets you borrow at low rates with no credit check or fixed repayment date. ...
- Withdraw funds. Policies also let you withdraw cash from the policy to avoid having to repay a loan. ...
- Surrender your policy. ...
- Sell your policy.
How long does it take to start making money selling life insurance?
Most businesses don't make any profit in their first year of operating. It could take anywhere from 18 to 24 months for your insurance sales to actually provide profit. Don't feel discouraged. Every small business owner has to clear this hurdle.
What is the most profitable 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.
Why did I quit being an insurance agent?
There's two big reasons why insurance agents quit: they don't feel valued, and they aren't given the technology they need to do their jobs well. In addition, managing commissions while hitting performance goals is a stressful part of the job for many insurance agents.
Can you make 6 figures selling life insurance?
A life insurance agent's income potential is uncapped. Some of the highest earners make well over six figures each year, while others choose to work as part-time insurance agents to earn some extra cash.
How much commission do you get for selling life insurance?
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."
Is selling your life insurance policy a good idea?
Selling your life insurance policy may be a good idea in some cases, such as if you need the money or if the reasons for paying the premiums no longer exist. Still, it's not something to rush into without serious consideration.
Can selling life insurance be a side hustle?
Earn Supplemental Income
Looking to make some extra cash on the side? Now's the perfect time to start selling insurance! While we would never recommend going into any profession solely for the money, some people do enjoy earning something a little extra on top of their primary income.
Is it illegal to sell life insurance?
Most types of life insurance that an individual purchases directly can be sold once they are no longer needed. Term, whole life, and universal policies can all be sold on the secondary market. However, you will likely not be able to sell any life insurance policy provided by your employer or issued by the government.
Is insurance sales a good career in 2024?
2024 Insurance Agent Trends and Statistics
Insurance sales continue to be solid option for stable employment and opportunity. With strong and growing demand, income potential, and a variety of specialization options, insurance sales is an attractive career choice.
How many insurance agents fail in the first year?
In fact, many agents new to insurance are fearful, knowing they face a high risk of failure. How many agents quit selling insurance? There isn't an exact number. But we figure somewhere between 90% and 95% of agents quit in their first 12 months of receiving their license.
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.
How many hours a day 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.