How big is the life insurance market?

Asked by: Sonia Heller  |  Last update: January 7, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (32 votes)

The Life insurance market market in the United States is projected to reach a market size (gross written premium) of US$1.34tn in 2025. The average spending per capita in the Life insurance market market is estimated to be US$3.90k in 2025.

How large is the life insurance industry?

Written Premiums The life industry reported an increase of 4.4% ($52.1 billion) in total direct written premium and deposits to $1.2 trillion in 2023. Total net written premiums and deposits decreased 2.5% ($25.2 billion) to $965.2 billion.

How much is a $100,000 life insurance policy worth to sell?

The death benefit value typically varies between 10 and 25 percent. This means a $100,000 policy will provide you with up to $25,000. Factors affecting how much you will get for selling your life insurance policy include life expectancy, its cash value, and the premium amount.

Is life insurance in high demand?

The study reveals that 42 percent of American adults either need to obtain life insurance or increase their existing coverage. This persistent need-gap includes about 102 million adults, blending those who are uninsured and those who are underinsured.

Who is the largest life insurer in the world?

Largest life insurance companies globally January 2025, by market capitalization. United Health was the largest life insurance company worldwide by market capitalization as of January 2025. Progressive was the second-largest life insurer globally, with market capitalization amounting to almost 143 billion U.S. dollars.

How Does Life Insurance Work?

16 related questions found

Who is the #1 life insurance company in the USA?

Based on the latest 2023 data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), New York Life leads the pack with a 6.86 percent market share. Close on its heels is Northwestern Mutual, holding a 6.74 percent share.

Who is the richest life insurance agent?

Meet the world's highest earning insurance agent
  • Meet the world's highest earning insurance agent.
  • Gideon du Plessis failed in the 10th standard and never went to college. ...
  • A record he has maintained over the last 12-14 years, selling 700 policies yearly. ...
  • What is Plessis' secret of success?

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.

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.

Who buys life insurance the most?

Most people who own life insurance are family breadwinners who want to make sure that in the event they die, the future financial needs of dependents, such as a spouse, children or elderly parents, are met.

How much can you sell a 1 million dollar life insurance policy for?

This means that an average life settlement offer on a $100,000 policy may be around $20,000 and an average offer on a $1,000,000 policy may be around $200,000. There are a number of factors that affect the amount that a policyholder could be offered, including: Age of the Insured. Health of the Insured.

What disqualifies life insurance payout?

Life insurance proceeds can be denied. Some denials are legitimate, like in case of policy lapses, material misrepresentations, or exclusions in the form of illegal activities or war. In other cases, bad-faith insurers use elaborate methods to reject claims so they do not have to pay the proceeds.

Is life insurance 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.

What is the future of life insurance?

The life insurance future will also be characterised by collaboration and partnerships. Insurers are increasingly forming alliances with fintech companies, e-commerce platforms, and wellness apps to tap into a broader market and enhance their capabilities.

What percentage of life insurance agents succeed?

More than 90% of new agents quit the business within the first year. The rate increases to greater than 95% when extended to five years.

Who is the largest insurer in the United States?

  • #1: United Health Group (UNH)
  • #2: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ( BRK.B)
  • #3: CVS Health Corp Group (CVS)
  • #4: The Cigna Group (CI)
  • #5: Elevance Health Inc. ( ELV)
  • #6: Centene (CNC)
  • #7: Ping An Insurance (PNGAY)
  • #8: Allianz (ALIZY)

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 many people quit selling insurance?

You Don't Get Fired As A Life Insurance Agent... You Quit. We often hear about the statistic that 93% of agents leave this business within the first three years, but one thing that struck me during the live session is that agents don't actually fail out of this business.

Which life insurance agents make the most money?

Top paying companies in Insurance for Life Insurance Agent are National Agents Alliance, New York Life, and National Income Life.

How much do life insurance agents make per policy?

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."

What is the most lucrative 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 millionaires are buying life insurance?

Life insurance purchased by wealthy people and businesses is often used as a vehicle for providing liquidity, reducing financial liabilities, and reducing their tax profile.

What type of life insurance pays highest commission?

Whole life coverage is more expensive, leading to more commission income for the agent. Consult with a financial advisor to determine whether buying term or whole life insurance is ideal for your situation, or if you should turn to other options like investing in securities or an annuity.

What life insurance do billionaires use?

An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) is a popular strategy for wealthy individuals seeking to remove life insurance proceeds from their taxable estate. When the policy is owned by the ILIT, the death benefit is not included in the individual's estate for tax purposes, which can help reduce estate taxes.

Which is the largest life insurance company?

LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India)

As the largest life insurance company in India, LIC has 2048 branch offices, 113 divisional offices, 8 zonal offices, and 1381 satellite offices. LIC offers a wide range of insurance products including life insurance, pension plans, ULIPs, health plans, etc.