What is it like to be a life insurance agent?

Asked by: Baylee Wilderman  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (51 votes)

Life insurance agents enjoy a lucrative career, but it does involve a constant hustle, networking, and sales in evenings and on weekends and general hard work. And there can be a lot of rejection before each sale. Rejection is standard in every sales career, but insurance sales set you up for significant rejection.

Is selling life insurance a good career opportunity?

Is selling life insurance a good career opportunity? For those who like helping people and don't mind hard work, the answer is yes. Life insurance agents sell policies and annuities. They work with all kinds of clients and beneficiaries, and most agree that it is a rewarding career.

How much do beginner life insurance agents make?

An agent selling one or two policies per week at this commission level could make $50,000 to $100,000 in their first year as an agent.

Do life insurance agents make good money?

Life insurance agents can make good money, because their salary is often largely based on commission, even when an employer pays them a base salary. If you are an independent insurance agent, commission rates become even more important because you will only be paid based on commission.

Is it easy to be a life insurance agent?

First, becoming a life insurance agent is easy. No educational requirements exist beyond a high school diploma. Some states require you to take a licensing course and pass an exam, but truthfully, these are relatively easy.

Life and Health Insurance Agent TIPS FOR BEGINNERS (3 Things You MUST KNOW Before Getting a License)

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Why do insurance agents quit?

Most agents quit because they can't get enough sales to support themselves and their families. The only way to change that is to learn how to get more leads, better leads, and follow up on them. People go on fact-finding missions online. They don't care who answers their question, as long as they get answers.

Are insurance agents happy?

Insurance sales agents are one of the least happy careers in the United States. ... As it turns out, insurance sales agents rate their career happiness 2.3 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 2% of careers.

Can you get rich selling insurance?

There's no limit to how much you can make selling insurance provided you have the passion and commitment to put in the extra work. However, insurance sale is a lucrative business that can earn you substantial profit margins once everything is up and running.

How do I succeed in life insurance sales?

What Skills Do Successful Insurance Agents Need?
  1. Persistence and Honesty. ...
  2. Availability and Communicativeness. ...
  3. Humility and a Willingness to Learn. ...
  4. Provide High-Quality Customer Service. ...
  5. Be Proactive. ...
  6. Participate in Your Community. ...
  7. Network with Other Insurance Agents. ...
  8. Sell Multiple Products.

Is the life insurance exam hard?

Though it may seem somewhat overwhelming at first, preparing for and taking the state health and life insurance exam is NOT that difficult. In fact, most agents who take the exam admit that it was easier than they imagined.

Can you sell life insurance to your family?

Yes, it is possible to sell insurance without having to make a list of your friends and family. The alternative is buying consumer leads which are prospects who have responded to a variety of marketing campaigns and expressed interest in speaking to a licensed agent or advisor.

How long does it take to be a life insurance agent?

Becoming a licensed life insurance agent can take as little as a few days to several weeks to obtain licensure to sell insurance. In many states, the coursework necessary to sit for the state exam is done independently, so how quickly or slowly it takes you to master the material is up to you.

Can I sell life insurance from home?

In general, you can sell insurance from home as long as you are licensed to do so in your state. The average annual income for a “Licensed Insurance Agent Work From Home” in the US is $64,435. The most common insurance to sell is auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance and health insurance.

Is selling life insurance difficult?

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.

How much do insurance agents make per policy?

Annual commissions for auto insurance range from 10 to 12.5 per cent, although a few firms pay up to 13.5 per cent. Property insurance offers commissions of 20 to 23 per cent. So if you use an insurance broker and pay $1,000 annually to insure your home, upward of $200 a year would be going to the broker.

Is insurance sales a good career choice?

Due to the low barriers of entry, insurance sales is a good career choice for people who are transitioning into a new career following a major life change. ... A college degree is preferred but is not required in many insurance firms. Unlike many other finance-related positions, prior experience is also not required.

How do life insurance agents make so much money?

Many life insurance agents receive sales commissions for the products or services they sell to clients. Agents will receive a large upfront commission based on the cost of the first year's policy premium, which can be a substantial percentage of that cost.

What skills do you need to be an insurance agent?

Below are some of the characteristics a successful insurance agent needs to complete their puzzle:
  • People Skills. People skills are the number one characteristic of a successful insurance agent. ...
  • Good Salesmanship. ...
  • Customer Service Skills. ...
  • High Energy Level. ...
  • Honesty. ...
  • Knowledge on a Variety of Products. ...
  • Choose the Right Carrier.

Do you need a degree to sell life insurance?

You don't need a college degree to become an insurance agent; some agents just have a high school diploma. However, completing a bachelor's degree in a business-related field can prepare you for your career in insurance. ... “They might consider hiring a high school graduate who has proven sales ability.”

What is the most profitable insurance to sell?

The Most Profitable Insurance to Sell
  • It should not come as a big surprise that auto insurance is the best selling and most profitable insurance product. ...
  • Property or home insurance typically covers anything that can pose a risk to your clients' property like theft, flood, fire, and inclement weather.

Can insurance agents make millions?

Insurance agents can make more than a million dollars per year, but most don't because they focus on marketing to people they know and rely heavily on referrals. Insurance agents that obtain online insurance leads open the door to becoming financially free.

Is being an insurance agent stressful?

CareerCast ranked being an insurance agent 155th out of 200 on the worst jobs list. They rank the stress as “average,” whatever that means. A good income makes up for a lot of stress for many people, so that helps. ... That doesn't mean you won't be making warm calls.

Are insurance agents in demand?

Employment of insurance sales agents is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 50,400 openings for insurance sales agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

What are the challenges of being an insurance agent?

4 Common Challenges Facing Insurance Agents
  • The Pressure to Produce. ...
  • Not Enough “Luxury” Coverage Demand. ...
  • Being Cut Out of the Process. ...
  • Overcoming Negative Stereotypes. ...
  • Insurance Pre-Licensing Courses.