Is it hard to sell life insurance?

Asked by: Ewell Collier  |  Last update: June 30, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (67 votes)

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.

Is life insurance the hardest thing to sell?

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.

Is it worth it to be 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.

How hard is it to start selling life insurance?

Selling insurance isn't easy. It takes 3 to 10 years to build this business, and that depends on the time you have and your network you're surrounded by that are good potential clients.

Is selling life insurance profitable?

Life insurance yes it is lucrative. It pays the highest commission percentages around 40--60% (vs PC. Ie auto home pays 10--15%) but life requires medical exam blood and urine testing medical underwriting which makes it one step or more complicated than PC.

How to Sell Life Insurance: Making Your First Million Dollars with Eric Howard Ep229

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Why is selling insurance so hard?

Selling insurance can be stressful. It requires long work hours. You can also experience constant pressure to meet different quotas and targets. The highly competitive nature of the profession can create a work environment that often leads to stress and burnout.

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."

Can I become a millionaire selling life 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.

Do insurance agents get a base salary?

Insurance agents usually make money through commissions, with the commission amount often depending on the type and number of insurance policies they have sold and whether these policies are new or renewals.

Is selling life insurance stressful?

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.

Why do most life insurance agents quit?

Research shows (opens in a new window) that 80% of finance and insurance agents feel they aren't valued at work; they feel they are “only evaluated on what went wrong or could have been done better.” This is a major issue for finding and retaining top talent, which is more important than ever (opens in a new window).

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.

How many life insurance agents fail?

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 is the most profitable 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 fast can you make 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.

How do life insurance agents get paid?

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 many hours do 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 license makes the most money?

The Top Five Highest-Paying Insurance Career Jobs In 2024
  • Insurance Agent.
  • Insurance Underwriter.
  • Actuary.
  • Personal Finance Advisors.
  • Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators.

Is insurance agent a stressful job?

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 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.

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.

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.

Why do insurance agents earn so much?

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.

Is selling life insurance taxable?

The portion of the sale amount you receive that is equal to what you've paid in premiums (your “cost basis”) will not be taxed. The portion that exceeds your cost basis, but is less than the cash value of the policy, is subject to income tax. Lastly, any amount above the cash value is subject to capital tax gains.

How do life insurance agents get clients?

How Do Insurance Agents Get Clients? 6 Strategies You Can Use
  1. Blog posts.
  2. Webinars.
  3. Professional partnerships.
  4. Client referrals.
  5. Google My Business.
  6. Paid ads.