How many hours do life insurance agents work?

Asked by: Phoebe Paucek Jr.  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (24 votes)

How many hours per week does an insurance agent work? Most agents work full time and some work over 40 hours per week. Many spend normal business hours with clients and then, in the evenings, complete paperwork and prepare presentations for prospective clients.

How many hours a week do life 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.

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).

Is an insurance agent's job stressful?

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.

Do insurance agents have a flexible schedule?

Hours/Travel

May work nights or weekends to meet customers who cannot meet during regular hours. May have flexible schedules. Most work a set schedule, however. Usually work over 40 hours.

How To Make 10k-20k A Month Selling Life insurance?

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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 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."

Do insurance agents make 6 figures?

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.

What are the cons of being an insurance agent?

Cons of a career selling insurance
  • Unpredictable income. Working in a commission-based role has its drawbacks. ...
  • High-pressure work environment. Selling insurance can be stressful. ...
  • Finding new leads can be challenging. ...
  • Limited paid time off. ...
  • Experiencing a lot of rejection.

What is the failure rate for insurance agents?

A more accurate statement is that 93% of agents choose to leave within three years.

Why is life insurance so hard to sell?

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.

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.

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.

How fast can you make money as a life insurance agent?

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.

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 best 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.

Can I make a living selling life insurance?

As a life insurance agent or broker, the most common way for you to earn an income is through commissions. Generally, you can receive front-loaded commissions of 40% to up to 115% of the policy's first-year premiums. The rates for renewals, however, fall steeply to about 1% or 2%.

What is the hardest part of being an insurance agent?

What is the hardest part of being an insurance agent? 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.

Is it hard to make money as an insurance agent?

Job Security

In our opinion, it doesn't hurt that insurance is a lucrative business. You can gain commissions on the plans that you sell, so it's entirely up to you how much you want to hustle. You can also make more money with consistent renewals, so it pays in the long run to have loyal clients.

What is the commission for life insurance?

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.

What is the best job to have in insurance?

Some of the best jobs in the insurance industry include:
  • Loan processor. ...
  • Insurance adjuster. ...
  • Insurance agent. ...
  • I nsurance broker. ...
  • Loss control consultant. ...
  • Underwriter. ...
  • Actuary. ...
  • Risk manager.

Is selling life insurance hard?

Selling life insurance can be difficult especially if you struggle with difficult conversations and rejection. Some of the other challenges that life insurance salespeople may encounter are: Competitive market. Establishing trust with someone you just met.

Is there a high demand for life insurance agents?

Job Outlook

Employment of insurance sales agents is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

Who is the highest paid life 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. A record he has maintained over the last 12-14 years, selling 700 policies yearly.