Is insurance business hard?

Asked by: Patsy Gerlach  |  Last update: August 22, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (55 votes)

Being an insurance agent can be a rewarding career, but it also requires dedication, hard work, and a willingness to adapt to a constantly changing industry.

Is it hard to work in an insurance company?

The job itself isn't terribly difficult. You will spend a lot of time on the phone talking to people. Some of those people can be abusive or demanding. A lot of people don't understand how insurance works, how claims work or basic traffic laws.

How hard is it to be successful in insurance?

Insurance sales jobs are highly stressful with little pay guarantee and is an industry with a high quit rate. To be successful in the industry, new agents should understand the skills and attributes that are common among top producers.

Is it hard to start an insurance company?

Insurance companies are very strictly regulated and have to comply with many, many different laws which vary greatly state by state. In addition, you also have to have a reserve account with so much money set aside for claims. You won't be able to get licensed to sell a policy without first having healthy reserves.

Is selling insurance hard to learn?

It is a very difficult occupation but, if you can do it, it can be extremely rewarding. I am not just talking about income. Every year, in virtually every state, 100s or 1000s of people take the insurance license exam. Of the ones that pass, a small % are eventually successful.

How Hard Is It In A Career Selling Life Insurance?

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Does selling insurance pay well?

How much does a Selling Insurance make? As of Jan 17, 2025, the average annual pay for a Selling Insurance in the United States is $78,517 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $37.75 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,509/week or $6,543/month.

Do you have to be good at math to sell insurance?

Good mental math skills are necessary, and even better math calculation knowledge is required.

How profitable is insurance business?

Net income remained mostly unchanged at just under $17 billion for the first six months of 2022 compared to the same period in the prior year. The industry's profit margin decreased modestly to 3.4% from 3.7%, while the combined ratio remained mostly unchanged at 96%.

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.

Why is being an insurance agent so hard?

Being an insurance agent can be quite stressful due to the high-pressure environment of sales jobs and the need to meet quotas. The uncertainty of income and the hard work required to build and maintain client relationships add to the stress levels.

Can insurance agents make 100k?

An agent selling one or two policies per week at this commission level could make $50,000 to $100,000 in their first year as an agent.

Why is insurance so hard to learn?

Unfortunately, insurance companies are notorious for using complicated verbiage that is nearly impossible for policyholders to understand what is covered and excluded. Insurance companies are aware that policyholders don't understand the complex and lengthy legal text packed into policy pages.

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.

Do insurance jobs pay well?

The best Insurance jobs can pay up to $188,000 per year.

You could be an insurance salesperson, who is responsible for getting clients to sign up for policies.

Is insurance industry stressful?

The insurance sector is known for its high-pressure environment, but the stress has been particularly intense recently due to talent shortages. It's not uncommon for employees to manage heavy caseloads with tight deadlines, exacerbated by a lack of staff.

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.

Do insurance agents get paid a lot?

Insurance agents earn a mean annual salary of $79,650 or an hourly rate of $37, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While starting wages can be significantly lower than this number, industry veterans with an established client network can easily earn a six-figure salary.

Is the insurance industry a stable career?

Insurance is widely considered an “evergreen career,” one which typically offers excellent job security. Bureau of Labor Statistics research predicts that positions for insurance professionals will likely grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, with approximately 32,900 new jobs per year.

How many insurance agents quit?

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.

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.

How rich are insurance companies?

The p/c insurance industry made a record $88 billion in profits in 2023, even as companies jacked up rates for policyholders. The $88 billion profit was more than double the profits of the previous year and marked the industry's most profitable year in history.

Is it hard to sell business insurance?

Challenges of Selling Business Insurance

The business insurance industry is highly competitive, making it difficult to differentiate yourself. Also, clients often buy business insurance out of obligation. For example, many businesses need policies to satisfy legal or client requirements.

What degree is best for insurance?

Here are our top 15 university degrees that can equip you with a range of transferable skills to help you succeed in the insurance industry:
  • Finance. ...
  • Business. ...
  • Accounting. ...
  • Economics. ...
  • Actuarial Science. ...
  • Mathematics or Statistics. ...
  • Law. ...
  • Marketing.

What is the hardest part of being an insurance agent?

10 Challenges Insurance Agents Face
  • Finding New Clients. One of insurance agents' most significant challenges is attracting new clients. ...
  • Retaining Existing Clients. ...
  • Keeping Up with Industry Changes. ...
  • Managing Administrative Tasks. ...
  • Competition. ...
  • Client Education. ...
  • Technological Advancements. ...
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance.

Is there a lot of math in insurance?

Math Required in an Actuarial Degree Depends on the Role

These rely heavily on math, especially advanced modeling and statistical analysis. Less Technical Roles: Areas like management or client-facing actuarial positions use more high-level math and focus on interpreting results rather than running calculations.