Is life insurance sales stressful?

Asked by: Jerry Rau  |  Last update: March 19, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (12 votes)

Being an insurance agent can be a rewarding career, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its share of frustrations. Like any job, selling insurance comes with pressure to perform and job related stress.

Is selling life insurance a stressful job?

However, it can also be stressful, as sales targets and client expectations can sometimes be demanding. The job requires patience, persistence, and empathy, as you navigate through various policies and ensure clients understand their options.

How difficult is life insurance sales?

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.

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).

What is the hardest part of selling life insurance?

Life insurance is a very difficult product to sell. Simply getting your prospect to acknowledge and discuss the fact they are going to die is a hard first step. When and if you clear that hurdle, your next task is creating urgency so they buy right away.

Stress And Insurance Sales (How To Deal With It)

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Is it worth it to become a life 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.

Can you make 6 figures selling life insurance?

A life insurance agent's income potential is uncapped. Some of the highest earners make well over six figures each year, while others choose to work as part-time insurance agents to earn some extra cash.

How many people fail at selling life insurance?

A more accurate statement is that 93% of agents choose to leave within three years.

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.

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.

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 much do life insurance salesman make per sale?

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.

Is selling life insurance a good income?

As of Jan 18, 2025, the average annual pay for a Life Insurance Sales Agent in California is $113,805 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $54.71 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,188/week or $9,483/month.

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 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.

What kind of insurance agent gets paid the most?

While there are many kinds of insurance (ranging from auto insurance to health insurance), the most lucrative career in the insurance field is for those selling life insurance.

What is the average commission for life insurance?

The most common way life insurance agents make money is through commissions. Generally, agents receive front-loaded commissions of 40% to up to 115% of the policy's first-year premiums, although the figure for renewals falls steeply to about 1% or 2%.

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 is the turnover rate for life insurance agents?

The burnout rate for life insurance sales agents is high. 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 biggest insurance company to fail?

Executive Life Insurance Company is regarded to be the biggest bankruptcy of an insurance company in the United States in the course of recent years. Based in California, the life company had to file for bankruptcy in 1991 following disastrous investments in junk bonds.

Will insurance agents become obsolete?

Independent insurance agencies are not going away. The human touch will remain crucial, especially when dealing with complex insurance products that require nuanced understanding and personal advice.

What is the best job to have in insurance?

Some of the best jobs in the insurance industry include:
  • Loan processor. ...
  • Insurance adjuster. ...
  • Insurance agent. ...
  • I nsurance broker. ...
  • Loss control consultant. ...
  • Underwriter. ...
  • Actuary. ...
  • Risk manager.

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.

What is the commission for life insurance renewal?

Renewal commissions typically range from 2% to 5%, although some policies, like term insurance, may not pay renewals at all. It's important to review your commission schedule to know your renewal rates. Many life insurance renewals decrease over 10 years, sometimes to as low as 1% or even 0%.