Is it hard to make money as an insurance agent?

Asked by: Dino Fay  |  Last update: September 25, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (62 votes)

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.

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 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.

Can you make good money as an insurance agent?

A career selling insurance can be a good way to make money. It provides many opportunities to earn a high income with strong potential for growth. Because your income will mostly come from commissions, there can be no limit to how much you earn.

Is it hard to be a successful insurance agent?

Becoming a successful insurance agent is not easy, but it's achievable with the right strategies. To succeed as an insurance agent, you need to define your ideal client, provide value, develop a sales process, be persistent and consistent, and focus on exceptional service.

Make $100,000 In Your First Year As An Insurance Agent With This 2023 Blueprint

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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.

What kind of insurance agent gets paid the most?

High Paying Insurance Jobs
  • Reinsurance Accountant. ...
  • Health Insurance Specialist. ...
  • Insurance Broker. ...
  • Liability Claims Representative. ...
  • Insurance Adjuster. ...
  • Insurance Manager. ...
  • Final Expense Agent. Salary range: $62,500-$98,500 per year. ...
  • Life Insurance Actuary. Salary range: $79,500-$98,500 per year.

Can I be an insurance agent as a side hustle?

You may find that the insurance industry can be a very profitable way to work for yourself, have a flexible schedule, and help the people you work with! A part-time insurance business is a great way to dip your toes in the water and find out if it's right for you.

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.

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.

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.

Which insurance license is hardest to get?

Each insurance licensing exam presents its own challenge. Between Life and Health, students say that the Health insurance exam is the more difficult. Health insurance policies are simply more complicated than life insurance policies. The Property insurance exam is easier than the Casualty insurance exam.

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.

How long does it take to start making money in 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.

Do insurance agents get paid monthly?

Commissions Per Member, Per Month

When selling ACA insurance, agents earn commissions per household member, per month (PMPM). If you enroll multiple household members in a marketplace plan, you can collect commissions on each household member, every month! Commissions can also be paid per contract, per month (PCPM).

Is there a demand for 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.

How hard is selling insurance?

There are many challenges facing new life insurance agents. The pay is usually straight commission. Finding qualified customers yourself is notoriously difficult, and the few leads that your company may give you have usually been contacted by dozens of agents already.

What is the turnover rate for insurance agents?

Nearly 90% of agents across various lines of insurance, including life, quit within three years, according to life insurance agency management system provider AgencyBloc.

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.

Can you become an insurance agent part-time?

Becoming an independent insurance agent can be an incredibly rewarding career path with significant financial and personal benefits. If you're entrepreneurial-minded and eager to build a client base, starting part-time could be the perfect way to transition into this field.

What's the best paying side hustle?

What are the most profitable side hustles to make money?
  • Starting a dropshipping business.
  • Selling your own handcrafted products.
  • Creating and selling your own designs.
  • Selling digital marketing services through freelance work.
  • Teaching an online course.
  • Starting an affiliate marketing business.

Do insurance agents make their own schedules?

Flexible Schedule

Typically, insurance agents do not sit at a desk all day long. Your schedule will likely involve meetings and appointments with clients to help them find the right plan. The beauty in this is that you get to choose your own schedule and don't have to stay in one place.

What is the best insurance company to work for as an agent?

Farmers Insurance

Farmers Insurance Group is another American insurance company that sales agents and employees find best to work for. It offers a comprehensive range of insurance products and financial services, including auto, home, renters, life, and business insurance among others.

Which state pays insurance agents the most?

Best-Paying States for Insurance Sales Agents

The states and districts that pay Insurance Sales Agents the highest mean salary are New York ($108,960), New Jersey ($106,910), Illinois ($105,150), Minnesota ($100,750), and Massachusetts ($100,590).

What is the best insurance to sell to make money?

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.