What is the success rate of selling life insurance?

Asked by: Kelli Howell  |  Last update: May 17, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (12 votes)

More than 90% of new agents quit the business within the first year. The rate increases to greater than 95% when extended to five years.

How successful can you be selling life insurance?

Annual income for a life insurance agent can vary from as little as $28,000 per year to as much as $125,000 per year. How much money you can make selling life insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including your own ability to convert leads to customers, as well as the area in which you live.

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).

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.

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.

Patrick Bet-David Gives Great Advice To New Insurance Agents!

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What is the most profitable 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.

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.

What is the failure rate for insurance agents?

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

Do life insurance agents actually make money?

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."

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.

Is selling life insurance stressful?

Insurance sales jobs are highly stressful with little pay guarantee and is an industry with a high quit rate. To be successful in the industry, new agents should understand the skills and attributes that are common among top producers.

Can you become a millionaire selling life insurance?

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.

How many insurance agents fail in the first year?

In fact, many agents new to insurance are fearful, knowing they face a high risk of failure. How many agents quit selling insurance? There isn't an exact number. But we figure somewhere between 90% and 95% of agents quit in their first 12 months of receiving their license.

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?

Benefit #4: Passive Income

Your commission percentage on a policy drops after the first year, but you keep earning 5% to 10% as long as the policyholder pays their monthly premium. This is passive income you receive each month without even having to get out of bed.

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.

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.

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.

What is the hardest type of insurance to sell?

However, some types of insurance, like long-term care insurance or certain specialized business policies, can be challenging to sell. Long-term care insurance, for instance, often involves complex policy details and addresses emotionally sensitive topics, making it a more intricate sale.

Can I be successful selling life insurance?

Life insurance agents have the potential to make a good living especially when they are successful and have a passion for their work. Compensation from life insurance sales usually comes from commissions and bonuses as a result of the policies sold.

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 is the commission rate for life insurance?

For every policy sold, the insurance agent earns a large upfront commission. This rate can range from 40% to 100% of the first-year premium, the amount the policyholder pays for the policy. The rate is set by the insurance company, and each state has its own commission limits.

Who is the richest insurance agents?

Insurance Billionaires
  • Berkshire Hathaway's, Warren Buffet. ...
  • Patrick Ryan of the Ryan Specialty Group. ...
  • Erie Indemnity Chairman, Thomas Hagen. ...
  • W.R. Berkley's William R. ...
  • Mark and Robyn Jones of Goosehead Insurance. ...
  • Brown & Brown's, J. ...
  • Mercury General's, George Joseph. ...
  • Henry Engelhardt of the Admiral Group.

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.