Is it hard to make money as a life insurance agent?

Asked by: Janae O'Connell  |  Last update: March 6, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (62 votes)

The career of a life insurance agent is lucrative but involves constant hustling, networking, and many instances of rejection before a sale is ever made. Life insurance agents might be given a small salary to get started but are otherwise primarily dependent on commissions to make a living.

Do life insurance agents really make a lot of money?

Life insurance agents are typically paid on commission. The more business they write, the more money they make. A life insurance agent who doesn't sell any policies is going to make zero. A successful life insurance agent can make $500000 or more per year. These commissions often pile up.

Why do most life insurance agents fail?

New life agents fail because of how life insurance commissions are paid. Life agents can receive up to 110% of a policies first year commission. This can lead to a high income but once you run out of your natural market it is hard to maintain that level of activity.

Is it hard to make money selling life insurance?

In summary, selling life and health insurance can be lucrative, especially for those who are skilled in sales, understand the market, and are willing to invest time in building their business. However, success often requires hard work, dedication, and a strategic approach to client acquisition and retention.

Is it worth it to become a life insurance agent?

Becoming a life insurance agent can be a promising career for some people, as it can provide a steady income and the opportunity to help others. However, it may not be a good fit for everyone, as it requires strong sales and communication skills, as well as the ability to build and maintain relationships with clients.

I Asked 166 Life Insurance Agent How Much Money They ACTUALLY Make Per Month

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What are the cons of being a life 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.

Can you make a living as a life insurance agent?

You can make a good living selling life insurance, especially if you continue to earn commissions on policies you have already sold. However, it is not an easy career, as it requires constantly working to find leads, build relationships, and make sales.

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 life insurance agents get paid hourly?

Since the agent has no allegiance to the carrier(s) they represent, they are not paid an hourly wage to market and sell the insurance products they carry contracts for. However, when the agent does make a sale, the commissions can be much more lucrative than salary alone.

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.

How many life insurance agents quit?

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. When you join LIFE180 or any agency, you're not in danger of getting fired.

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.

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.

Can you become a millionaire being a life insurance agent?

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.

Are life insurance agents in demand?

Job Outlook

Employment of insurance sales agents is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 47,100 openings for insurance sales agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Is selling life insurance hard?

A career as a life insurance sales professional can be challenging. The competition is fierce, and you may experience a lot of rejection before a successful sale. Conducting business in the comforts of your home isn't any different. You should be willing to put in the effort for your venture to grow.

How many hours a day 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.

Which insurance company pays the highest commissions?

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 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.

What is the failure rate for life insurance agents?

More than 90% of new agents quit the business within the first year. The rate increases to greater than 95% when extended to five years.

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.

Can selling life insurance be a side hustle?

Earn Supplemental Income

Looking to make some extra cash on the side? Now's the perfect time to start selling insurance! While we would never recommend going into any profession solely for the money, some people do enjoy earning something a little extra on top of their primary income.

What is the average age of a life insurance agent?

Insurance agents make on average $51,936 per year. The average age of an Employed insurance agent is 45.9 years old.

What is the average 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.