What does an insurance agent do on a daily basis?

Asked by: Ms. Chelsea Rempel  |  Last update: December 8, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (46 votes)

Contact potential clients to expand their own customer base. Interview prospective clients to get information about their financial situation and discuss existing coverage. Explain the features of various insurance policies. Analyze clients' current policies and suggest additions or other changes.

What is a day in the life of an insurance agent?

A typical day in the life of an insurance agent begins with reviewing their daily schedule and planning out their day. They will be making phone calls to possible customers, setting appointments, meeting with clients, and following up with existing and new clients.

What are the duties of an insurance agent?

Insurance Agent responsibilities include:

Breeding productive relationships to create a pool of prospective clients from various sources by networking, cold calling, using referrals etc. Evaluating business or individual customers' needs and financial status and proposing protection plans that meet their criteria.

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 hours a day 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.

My First 90 Days To Six Figures As An Insurance Agent

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Do insurance agents get paid a lot?

Insurance agents earn a mean annual salary of $79,650 or an hourly rate of $37, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While starting wages can be significantly lower than this number, industry veterans with an established client network can easily earn a six-figure salary.

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.

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.

What are the cons of being an insurance agent?

Cons of a career selling insurance
  • Unpredictable income. Working in a commission-based role has its drawbacks. ...
  • High-pressure work environment. Selling insurance can be stressful. ...
  • Finding new leads can be challenging. ...
  • Limited paid time off. ...
  • Experiencing a lot of rejection.

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.

What skills do insurance agents need?

Important Qualities
  • Analytical skills. Insurance sales agents must evaluate the needs of each client to determine the appropriate insurance policy.
  • Communication skills. Insurance sales agents must listen to clients and be able to clearly explain suitable policies.
  • Initiative. ...
  • Interpersonal skills. ...
  • Self-confidence.

What not to do as an insurance agent?

Don't: Sell on Social Media. Insurance and financial services agents are limited to what and how they can advertise their products and services. For example, cold calling and going door-to-door are no-nos, as are soliciting at colleges, clinics, and certain places.

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.

Can you make a living as an insurance agent?

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median income for insurance sales agents (all types) in the US is $49,840 per year, or $23.96 per hour. This is 37% more than the national median income ($31,133) for workers in all other industries.

How much do insurance agents make per life policy?

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 insurance agents work for themselves?

Because independent insurance agents are solo entrepreneurs, they are also responsible for the administration, marketing and financial management of their business. An independent insurance agent's primary responsibilities include: Researching best policy options for clients.

Do insurance agents make a lot of money?

As per ZipRecruiter, as of Oct 17, 2024, the average annual pay for a Licensed Insurance Agent in the United States is $71,292 a year. Generally, an insurance agent makes money via commissions. It's the most common form of compensation for insurance agents.

What is not a responsibility of an insurance agent?

Insurance agents are not generally liable to consumers when an agent: Is negligent in performing job duties on behalf of an insurance company. Fails to recommend additional coverage to a consumer. Fails to purchase additional coverage for a consumer without that consumer's request.

Is selling life insurance a good job for beginners?

Key Takeaways

Insurance sales typically don't pay very well at first, but, unlike with other occupations, the longer you stick around in insurance, the more income you can make. The best agents are the ones with respected industry designations, such as chartered life underwriter.

How many policies does an insurance agent sell per month?

About on average 25 to 40 per month. 2.5 policies per month is the Official Number from the financial reports. But many people do it part time. 10 on average.

Do insurance jobs pay well?

The best Insurance jobs can pay up to $188,000 per year.

You could be an insurance salesperson, who is responsible for getting clients to sign up for policies.

Which insurance company pays agents the most?

Popular companies for an Insurance Agent
  • Allstate. 3.5. $42K - $67K. ...
  • Platinum Supplemental Insurance. 3.2. $55K - $99K. ...
  • Farmers Insurance Group. 3.2. $67K - $114K. ...
  • New York Life. $97K - $176K. /yr. ...
  • SelectQuote. 3.1. $55K - $93K. /yr. ...
  • Bankers Life. $63K - $113K. /yr. $84K. ...
  • USAA. $51K - $78K. /yr. $63K. ...
  • American Income Life. 3.1. $68K - $122K. /yr.

Do insurance agents do a lot of math?

Math is used in the insurance industry to set premiums, determine risks, and stay competitive. Statistics are used to determine the likelihood of obtaining clients. Part of this process involves setting the premiums to sign clients, and still making a profit.

Is it hard to learn to be an insurance agent?

Truth #1: Being an insurance agent is hard work.

“You don't have to be extremely experienced in insurance, but you do need a solid work ethic along with the ability to learn.” For a heavily regulated industry like insurance, this advice is vital.

What degree do most insurance agents have?

Although college training is not a prerequisite for insurance work, those who have a college degree in economics, finance, or business will probably have an advantage starting out in this field. Many colleges and universities offer courses in insurance, and a number of schools offer a bachelors degree in insurance.