Is selling life insurance stressful?
Asked by: Emmett Kemmer | Last update: December 5, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (58 votes)
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.
Is it hard to be a life insurance salesman?
The profession is not easy. One must be wiling to have thick skin, make phone calls, network, run quotes, fill out applications, follow-up, collect money and provide exceptional customer service even when no money is made. An insurance agent must under stand that the income can be wonderful but also inconsistent.
Is selling insurance a stressful 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.
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?
Why is life insurance so hard to sell?
Why Is Life Insurance So Hard To Sell? It's hard to sell because it deals with the topic of death. That's something many people find difficult to consider or discuss. Furthermore, it's hard to keep trying to sell because agents find that they can't make enough money to support themselves.
How many people fail at selling life insurance?
A more accurate statement is that 93% of agents choose to leave within three years.
Is selling life insurance worth it?
The life insurance industry is competitive but lucrative.
Becoming a life insurance agent provides an exciting opportunity for ambitious professionals. Not only is the industry competitive and lucrative, but it can also create a rewarding career trajectory.
How many hours a week do life insurance agents work?
How many hours per week does an insurance agent work? Most agents work full time and some work over 40 hours per week.
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 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 there a high demand for life 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.
What is the average age of insurance salesman?
Insurance agents make on average $51,936 per year. The average age of an Employed insurance agent is 45.9 years old.
Is it worth it to become a life insurance agent?
Insurance is a stable industry with lots of income potential, especially if you earn commissions. It's also a good career choice for people who like flexibility and a certain degree of autonomy.
What are the cons of being 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.
Who makes the most money selling insurance?
- Insurance Agent.
- Insurance Underwriter.
- Actuary.
- Personal Finance Advisors.
- Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators.
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.
Can life insurance agents make 6 figures?
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 skills do insurance agents need?
Becoming a successful insurance agent requires a combination of technical expertise and interpersonal skills. By honing your communication, interpersonal, and analytical abilities, staying knowledgeable about the industry, and continuously adapting to changes, you can thrive in the competitive world of 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.
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.
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.
Why is selling insurance so hard?
There is a very high turnover rate in insurance sales & you have to constantly keep up with rules changing, plan changes, etc. Being a broker means you can offer people the plan that works best for their needs, not just shove the one company you're contracted with in their face knowing better is actually out there.
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 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.