How do people who sell insurance get paid?

Asked by: Mrs. Rebecca Kris  |  Last update: October 20, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (36 votes)

Agents typically get paid through commissions, which are a percentage of the insurance premium or on a federally regulated standard. This doesn't mean you should always try and sell the most expensive policy.

How do insurance sales agents get paid?

Insurance Agents get paid a commission (percentage of your premium) from your insurance carrier. You do not pay insurance agents directly. Instead, every time you make a premium payment, the insurance carrier pays the set commission rate to the agent or agency.

How do people make money selling insurance?

Insurance agents often earn commissions on the policies they sell. Some types of insurance, like life insurance or commercial insurance, offer high commission rates, especially for policies with substantial premiums. Renewals on policies can provide a steady stream of residual income over time.

How do insurance agency owners get paid?

Commissions

Insurance agencies, regardless of whether they are captive or independent, get paid through commissions. The amount of commission varies depending on several factors, including: the type of insurance agency (captive or independent) the type of policies offered.

Do insurance agents get commission every month?

ACA commissions are paid on a monthly basis and carriers typically pay out early in the month, though it can vary. Commissions earned in the last month are distributed as long as the member has paid their premium and the payment has been posted to their account.

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25 related questions found

Is insurance sales 100% commission?

For every policy sold, the insurance agent earns a large upfront commission. This rate can range from 40% to 100% of the first-year premium, the amount the policyholder pays for the policy. The rate is set by the insurance company, and each state has its own commission limits.

Do insurance agents make money off of you?

Agents typically get paid through commissions, which are a percentage of the insurance premium or on a federally regulated standard. This doesn't mean you should always try and sell the most expensive policy. When agents sell a new policy, they earn a higher commission rate compared to when that policy is renewed.

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."

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.

How do insurance agents make passive income?

Life insurance sales can add up to passive income, as once you sell a policy, you continue to earn a commission on it, providing the owner of the policy pays their monthly premiums.

Why is selling insurance so hard?

Selling insurance can be stressful. It requires long work hours. You can also experience constant pressure to meet different quotas and targets. The highly competitive nature of the profession can create a work environment that often leads to stress and burnout.

What is the highest paying insurance to sell?

Life Insurance Policies

Financial Rewards: Selling life insurance can be highly lucrative, often offering substantial commissions. Emotional Fulfillment: Life insurance agents provide crucial support during clients' major life events, building meaningful relationships.

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.

How many hours do insurance sales 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.

Who is the highest paid insurance agent?

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.

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.

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.

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 daily life of an insurance agent?

A typical day in the life of an insurance agent begins with reviewing their daily schedule and planning out their day. They will be making phone calls to possible customers, setting appointments, meeting with clients, and following up with existing and new clients.

Can selling insurance make you 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.

Can you make a living as an insurance agent?

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median income for insurance sales agents (all types) in the US is $49,840 per year, or $23.96 per hour. This is 37% more than the national median income ($31,133) for workers in all other industries.

Is insurance agent a stressful job?

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.

Can selling insurance be a side job?

Selling insurance as a side hustle offers a flexible and potentially lucrative opportunity to earn extra income. Whether you're a stay-at-home parent, a college student, or a full-time employee looking to boost your earnings, becoming an insurance agent can provide a rewarding way to achieve your financial goals.

How do state farm agents get paid?

With multiple income streams, State Farm gives each agent the flexibility to determine their own income goals. Our independently contracted agents don't receive base compensation* but can earn commission, potential travel and other compensation by helping customers.

Do insurance agents get bonuses?

Those who want to earn more can increase their activity levels to meet their personal income goals. Knowing that the first year can be daunting, some carriers offer new agents bonuses to supplement their income and incentivize performance.