What is the failure rate for life insurance agents?

Asked by: Dameon Kutch V  |  Last update: June 25, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (26 votes)

The burnout rate for life insurance sales agents is high. More than 90% of new agents quit the business within the first year.

What percent of life insurance agents fail?

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

What is the turnover rate for insurance agents?

Nearly 90% of agents across various lines of insurance, including life, quit within three years, according to life insurance agency management system provider AgencyBloc.

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).

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.

Why So Many Insurance Agents Fail! | The BIGGEST Culprits...

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Is it worth it to be a life insurance agent?

The Bottom Line. Those who have a knack for selling life insurance, and the perseverance to grind through the tough early years, can make a lot of money and retire with a high degree of financial worth. However, life insurance agents, to be successful, must accept short-term pain in exchange for long-term gain.

How hard is 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.

Which life insurance agents make the most money?

Top paying companies in Insurance for Life Insurance Agent are National Agents Alliance, New York Life, and National Income Life.

Why is it so hard to be an insurance agent?

Being an insurance agent can be quite stressful due to the high-pressure environment of sales jobs and the need to meet quotas. The uncertainty of income and the hard work required to build and maintain client relationships add to the stress levels.

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 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 passive income for insurance agents?

Residual income is also called passive or recurring income. These are commissions tied to premium payments. The insurance company receives a commission by the time of the sale, then the agent receives an additional payment every time the policy holder renews the policy.

What company has the highest turnover rate?

A new Payscale report published on Thursday ranked Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company as having the highest turnover rate out of all of the Fortune 500 companies. Average employee tenure was a little over nine months.

Can you become a millionaire being a life insurance agent?

If you have a great work ethic and are willing to place yourself out there to establish relationships with clients, you will get more opportunities to earn a higher income. Selling insurance may even make you a millionaire.

Which life insurance company denies the most claims?

Top 8 Worst Insurance Companies
  1. Allstate. We know you have seen the ads. ...
  2. Unum. Unum is a leading disability insurance provider in the United States has a reputation for denied and delayed insurance claims – even when claims include their own employees. ...
  3. State Farm. ...
  4. AIG. ...
  5. Anthem. ...
  6. Farmers Insurance Group. ...
  7. UnitedHealth. ...
  8. USAA.

What is the hardest part of being an insurance agent?

Agents and brokers who listen carefully to what their clients and prospects say will be able to earn their trust, which is the hardest part of their job.

Why did I quit being a life insurance agent?

Failure to work hard is one of the top reasons people in this industry want to call it quits. While it's true that this job isn't easy, it's also true that it can be very rewarding when you allow it to be. As an insurance agent, you have daily opportunities to change your clients' lives for the better.

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.

What is the disadvantages of being an insurance agent?

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.

What is the average commission for life insurance?

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.

Who is the richest life insurance agent?

Meet the world's highest earning insurance agent
  • Meet the world's highest earning insurance agent.
  • Gideon du Plessis failed in the 10th standard and never went to college. ...
  • A record he has maintained over the last 12-14 years, selling 700 policies yearly. ...
  • What is Plessis' secret of success?

What is the hardest part of selling life insurance?

Building trust with potential clients is perhaps the most demanding part of selling insurance. It requires more than just pitching policies and presenting numbers; it's about establishing a personal connection, actively listening to their concerns, and providing them with comprehensive solutions.

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.

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.