What Does An Insurance Sales Agent Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Insurance Sales Agents

Insurance Sales Agents sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

Salary
$69100
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Insurance Sales Agents sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

  • Customize insurance programs to suit individual customers, often covering a variety of risks.
  • Sell various types of insurance policies to businesses and individuals on behalf of insurance companies, including automobile, fire, life, property, medical and dental insurance, or specialized policies, such as marine, farm/crop, and medical malpractice.
  • Explain features, advantages, and disadvantages of various policies to promote the sale of insurance plans.
  • Perform administrative tasks, such as maintaining records and handling policy renewals.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Insurance Sales Agents seek out new clients and develop clientele by networking to find new customers and generate lists of prospective clients. They call on policyholders to deliver and explain policy, to analyze insurance programs and suggest additions or changes, or to change beneficiaries.

A typical day for an Insurance Sales Agent will also include:

  • Sell various types of insurance policies to businesses and individuals on behalf of insurance companies, including automobile, fire, life, property, medical and dental insurance, or specialized policies, such as marine, farm/crop, and medical malpractice.
  • Explain features, advantages, and disadvantages of various policies to promote the sale of insurance plans.
  • Calculate premiums and establish payment methods.
  • Confer with clients to obtain and provide information when claims are made on a policy.
  • Explain necessary bookkeeping requirements for customers to implement and provide a group insurance programs.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Insurance Sales Agents also monitor insurance claims to ensure they are settled equitably for both the client and the insurer. They may also develop marketing strategies to compete with other individuals or companies who sell insurance.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Insurance Sales Agents install bookkeeping systems and resolve system problems. They might also seek out new clients and develop clientele by networking to find new customers and generate lists of prospective clients.

In addition, they calculate premiums and establish payment methods.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them inspect the property, examining its general condition, type of construction, age, and other characteristics, to decide if it is a good insurance risk.

To some Insurance Sales Agents, it is also their responsibility to plan and oversee the incorporation of insurance programs into the bookkeeping system of the company.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Average

Is this job meaningful

Average

67% said they were satisfied with their job and 48% said they found their job meaningful.


Metcalf Financial

Becoming an insurance agent can be an incredibly rewarding but difficult career. It will require self-discipline, a positive attitude, and mental focus. With that said, the typical day of an insurance agent will feature long hours on the phone in an effort to speak with potential insurance consumers. Although that may sound easy, it’s not. … Read More


Willamette Life Insurance

My name is Jake, and I own a life insurance agency. My typical day I am at my computer for most of the day because my sales strategy is entirely over the phone. It is typical for many life insurance agents to have a door-to-door tactic; however, this is not my model. I have a … Read More


TitanGroup Agency of Symmetry Financial Group

I am a 1099 Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency owner with Symmetry Financial Group. I specialize in mortgage protection, life insurance, and also a program called Debt Free Life which uses life insurance to become your own bank and get out of debt! My Typical Day A typical day of work starts for me with … Read More


Special Risk Term Life Insurance

I help people plan for their future financial needs through the use of insurance products like whole life insurance, indexed universal life insurance, and tax-deferred indexed annuities. My typical day consists of lots of phone calls. Answering calls from current customers on issues with their policies, updating coverage, etc. It also consists of sales calls … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Very good salary.

Normal working hours (40 hours per week).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

How much do they make

Average salary

$69100 per year

Average hourly wage

$33 per hour

Entry-level Insurance Sales Agents with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $29,000 to $37,590 per year or $14 to $18 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $127,840 $61
Senior (Top 25%) $79,200 $38
Median $52,180 $25
Junior (Bottom 25%) $37,590 $18
No experience (Bottom 10%) $29,000 $14

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Insurance Sales Agents based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities $79140 $38.05
Management of Companies and Enterprises $78280 $37.63
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities $77950 $37.48
Insurance Carriers $76600 $36.83
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations $76520 $36.79
Nondepository Credit Intermediation $69960 $33.63
State Government $68840 $33.10
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services $68750 $33.05
Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities $67300 $32.36
Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing $65910 $31.69

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Insurance Sales Agents work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Insurance Sales Agents including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities 317070 $67300 $32.36
Insurance Carriers 77640 $76600 $36.83
Management of Companies and Enterprises 1840 $78280 $37.63
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities 1580 $79140 $38.05
Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services 1420 $54640 $26.27
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 1420 $68750 $33.05
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities 1250 $77950 $37.48
Employment Services 1010 $50980 $24.51
State Government 650 $68840 $33.10
Nondepository Credit Intermediation 620 $69960 $33.63

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
18%

More than 40 hours
82%

Working schedule

62%

38%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
7%

Every day
93%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
32%

Once a year
15%

Once a month
52%

Once a week
2%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
0%

Slightly competitive
0%

Moderately competitive
40%

Highly competitive
34%

Extremely competitive
25%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
14%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
38%

Every day
48%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
42%

Once a year or more
26%

Once a month or more
14%

Once a week or more
18%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
41%

Once a year or more
14%

Once a month or more
26%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
13%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
48%

Once a year or more
40%

Once a month or more
12%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
15%

Post-Secondary Certificate
15%

Some College Courses
8%

Associate’s Degree or similar
16%

Bachelor’s Degree
39%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
7%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Insurance

A program that prepares individuals to manage risk in organizational settings and provide insurance and risk-aversion services to businesses, individuals, and other organizations. Includes instruction in casualty insurance and general liability, property insurance, employee benefits, social and health insurance, loss adjustment, underwriting, risk theory, and pension planning.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
43%

1 month
14%

1 to 3 months
14%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
1%

1 to 2 years
10%

2 to 4 years
9%

4 to 6 years
9%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
22%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
15%

3 to 6 months
15%

6 months to 1 year
37%

1 to 2 years
3%

2 to 4 years
7%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
33%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
24%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
19%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
52%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
100%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
76%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
71%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
55%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
52%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
76%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
67%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
76%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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