How much do insurance agents make off a policy?
Asked by: Hayden Green | Last update: January 7, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (35 votes)
What is the commission on an insurance policy?
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 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."
What percentage of insurance premiums go to the agent?
The common range is between 5% and 10% of a policy's total premiums for the first year, with the percentage going down after a plan is renewed.
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 much an insurance agent makes per policy
Is selling life insurance a good hustle?
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.
Is there a benefit to using an insurance agent?
Access to More Options: Independent agents have access to a variety of insurance companies, which allows them to deliver more options. They will search through all the available options for you to bring you the best possible combination of price, coverage, and service. More options mean lower premiums for you.
What is the failure rate for insurance agents?
A more accurate statement is that 93% of agents choose to leave within three years.
Is insurance more expensive if you use an agent?
Fees and taxes are set by the insurance company, and in CA, agents selling admitted insurance policies are not allowed to add any additional agent/broker fees.
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.
How does an insurance agent 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.
Can a insurance agent be a millionaire?
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 insurance profit margin?
Many insurance firms operate on low margins, such as 2% to 3%. Smaller profit margins mean even the slightest changes in an insurance company's cost structure or pricing can mean drastic changes in the company's ability to generate profit and remain solvent.
How much do insurance agents make per life policy?
The most common way life insurance agents make money is through commissions. Generally, agents receive front-loaded commissions of 40% to up to 115% of the policy's first-year premiums, although the figure for renewals falls steeply to about 1% or 2%.
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.
Which insurance has the highest commission?
Some of the companies that offer high commission rates to their agents are HDFC Life, Max Life, ICICI Prudential, and Kotak Mahindra. These companies also have attractive incentive schemes and bonus programs for their top-performing agents.
What percentage of insurance policy does agent get?
For auto and home policies, captive insurance agents earn about 5% to 10% of the entire premiums paid for the first year, while independent agents receive about 15%. Commission rates for renewals range between 2% and 15%, averaging around 2% to 5%, regardless of the type of agent.
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.
Why are insurance commissions so high?
Insurance Company, Policy Type, and Coverage Level
For example, a life insurance agent might earn higher commissions on whole-life policies compared to term-life policies. Similarly, policies with higher coverage often yield higher commissions, as they typically have higher insurance premiums.
What is the biggest insurance company to fail?
Executive Life Insurance Company is regarded to be the biggest bankruptcy of an insurance company in the United States in the course of recent years. Based in California, the life company had to file for bankruptcy in 1991 following disastrous investments in junk bonds.
What not to do as an insurance agent?
Don't: Sell on Social Media. Insurance and financial services agents are limited to what and how they can advertise their products and services. For example, cold calling and going door-to-door are no-nos, as are soliciting at colleges, clinics, and certain places.
What is the turnover rate for insurance agents?
The industry is finding ways to replenish its ranks because of a high agent turnover rate. Nearly 90% of agents across various lines of insurance, including life, quit within three years, according to life insurance agency management system provider AgencyBloc.
How much do insurance brokers make per policy?
An insurance broker makes money off commissions from selling insurance to individuals or businesses. Most commissions are 2% to 8% of premiums, depending on state regulations. Brokers sell all insurance types, including health insurance, homeowners insurance, accident insurance, life insurance, and annuities.
Is it cheaper to get insurance through an agent or online?
Buying insurance online can often result in lower customer costs due to the elimination of commission fees for the insurance agent. However, buying insurance through an agent can offer a more personalized experience and in-depth policy analysis, leading to finding the most cost-effective coverage options.
Should I trust my insurance agent?
In times of need, such as when filing a claim, having an agent you trust makes the process smoother, ensuring that your concerns are addressed promptly and effectively. In conclusion, trusting your insurance agent is crucial in securing the right coverage and achieving peace of mind.