How to successfully sell life insurance?

Asked by: Mckayla Jerde  |  Last update: January 20, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (7 votes)

8 Effective Ways to Generate Quality Leads and Increase Life Insurance Sales
  1. Identify and Understand Your Target Market. ...
  2. Build Relations Within Your Community. ...
  3. Find Prospects on Social Media. ...
  4. Sign-up on Online Directories and Listing Sites. ...
  5. Leverage Cold Calls and Emails. ...
  6. Start Blogging.

How to be successful in life insurance sales?

Skills For Being Successful at Selling Life Insurance
  1. Customer Service Focus. ...
  2. Great Communication Skills. ...
  3. Networking Skills. ...
  4. Term Life Insurance. ...
  5. Permanent Life Insurance. ...
  6. Life Insurance Add-ons. ...
  7. Complete Your State's Pre-Licensing Education Requirements. ...
  8. Prepare for the Life Insurance Licensing Exam.

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 selling life insurance difficult?

Life insurance salesmen have a reputation for being high-pressure and pushy because life insurance is one of the VERY HARDEST THINGS TO SELL. So if you're the best salesmen you've ever met, by all means, give it a shot. The rewards can be incredible. But if you're NOT, then I'd steer clear.

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.

How to Sell Life Insurance: Your First 30 Days Ep186

25 related questions found

Can I become a millionaire selling insurance?

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.

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.

What is the risk of selling life insurance?

Creditors might be able to claim the money you receive from selling your life insurance. Benefits could be threatened: Are you receiving government benefits such as SNAP benefits or Medicaid? You'll want to make sure that you won't lose those benefits if you receive money from a life insurance settlement sale.

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.

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.

What is the commission 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."

How do life insurance salesmen get paid?

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 to approach a client when selling insurance?

11 Tips to Closing the Deal When Selling Insurance Over the Phone
  1. Listen actively and engage your prospects. ...
  2. Avoid industry jargon and slang. ...
  3. Be prepared for the call. ...
  4. Script your pitch. ...
  5. Establish yourself as an expert. ...
  6. Build rapport with your prospect. ...
  7. Show them you're listening. ...
  8. Don't give up.

How to prepare for life insurance sales interview?

Tips for an interview for an insurance position
  1. Research the company. Before your interview, you should know what kind of insurance they offer, their direct competitors, what area they serve and their values. ...
  2. Be confident. ...
  3. Define your goals. ...
  4. Show your maturity. ...
  5. Ask follow-up questions. ...
  6. Send a thank you note.

Can you make a million dollars selling insurance?

Some agents, advisors, and multi-line agents made a million dollars in the first year they worked with us selling life insurance! While most of the others it took 2, 3, or more years to make a million dollars per year selling life insurance.

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 to sell life insurance from home?

Yes, you can sell life insurance from home. You'll need a state license to sell life insurance, and you may need a business license from your state or municipality as well. 51 A computer, high-speed internet connection, printer, and phone will allow you to work productively and meet virtually with clients.

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.

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.

Why do millionaires get whole life insurance?

Whole life insurance can provide tax-free dividends

For someone looking to build up wealth to cash in on during retirement, Secco says that dividends can accumulate over time and be used as a tax-free pool of money. However, Secco says that using life insurance as a savings vehicle is a long-term strategy.

Do you pay taxes on life insurance?

Generally, life insurance proceeds you receive as a beneficiary due to the death of the insured person, aren't includable in gross income and you don't have to report them. However, any interest you receive is taxable and you should report it as interest received.

How much a month is a $500,000 whole life insurance policy?

How much does whole life insurance cost? A $500,000 whole life insurance policy costs an average of $451 per month for a 30-year-old non-smoker in good health. If you get whole life insurance, the premiums you'll pay may vary based on factors like your age, health, gender, and the type of policy you get.