Is selling life insurance a good job for beginners?
Asked by: Alverta Schumm | Last update: December 31, 2025Score: 5/5 (28 votes)
Is selling life insurance a hard job?
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.
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 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.
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).
How Hard Is It In A Career Selling Life Insurance?
Is life insurance the hardest thing to sell?
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.
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 you make a living as a life insurance agent?
Several factors cause so many life insurance agents to leave the business. The most common is they simply cannot make a living. The vast majority of life insurance sales jobs are straight commission. That means no base salary—not even minimum wage—and no benefits.
What is the failure rate for life insurance agents?
A more accurate statement is that 93% of agents choose to leave within three years.
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.
Can selling life insurance be a side hustle?
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 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 commission can you make 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."
Do you have to be good at math to sell life insurance?
Agents work with complicated policies, and they need to make sure that the policies are a good fit for their customers. This requires considering multiple factors. Additionally, insurance agents may perform math calculations and need to take detailed notes when meeting with clients.
How to survive a commission-based job?
If your job pays commissions only, smart budgeting is almost a requirement to survive. You can start by sitting down and adding up all your regular monthly expenses. Start with fixed expenses, like rent and loan payments.
How do I start selling life insurance?
You'll need to complete your state's pre-licensing education requirements, pass an insurance licensing exam, apply for a license with your state, receive a National Producer Number (NPN), and then either find a job with a life insurance company or start your own.
Do life insurance agents really make a lot of money?
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.
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 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.
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.
How do life insurance agents get clients?
- Blog posts.
- Webinars.
- Professional partnerships.
- Client referrals.
- Google My Business.
- Paid ads.
What are the pros and cons of selling life insurance?
- No more monthly premiums.
- Higher payout than surrendering or lapsing.
- Use the proceeds for anything.
- You may be taxed on your life settlement proceeds.
- Beneficiaries may get a reduced or no death benefit.
- You may not qualify for another life insurance policy.
How hard is selling life insurance?
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.
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.
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.