Insurance Sales Agents Career
Insurance agents sell a wide variety of insurance-related policies to both individuals and businesses. The types of insurance policies they sell include; automobile, life, home, health malpractice (for businesses) and disability. Some insurance agents also offer mutual funds and securities as well as some retirement and estate planning.
In order to do well as an insurance agent, it is important to have sales skills. Insurance agents need to have excellent interpersonal skills. In addition, they must obtain a license in the state they plan to sell insurance in.
Insurance Sales Agents Snapshot
Insurance agents usually work out of small offices. Independent insurance agents spend their time between an office and meeting with clients. They often work evenings and weekends to work around client schedules. Most insurance agents work at least 40 hours a week.
Learn more about a career as an insurance sales agent (statistics from Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average earnings for insurance sales agents per year.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a Bachelor’s degree, 33% have a high school diploma.
Insurance Sales Agent Education
While many companies seek out candidates with college degrees, a degree is not an absolute requirement for becoming an insurance agent. Although competition is stiff, high school graduates may gain employment especially if they have sales skills. Insurance sales agents must gain a state license for the state they plan to sell insurance in.
Insurance Sales Agent Job Duties
Insurance agents help individuals and businesses choose the best insurance policies for their needs. These might include life, health, malpractice, and car insurance. Due to the diversity within the insurance industry, agents need to understand details on a number of different types of policies in order to properly advise their clients. Insurance agents spend their days finding new clients, talking to clients, writing reports, and filling out paperwork.
Insurance Sales Agent Salaries
According to the Occupational Employment Statistics survey program insurance sales agents earn a minimum of $26,330 up to more than $122,590 per year. Independent insurance agents may receive all of their income through commissions while those who work through an agency may receive commissions plus a salary. Bonuses are also a possibility.
Insurance Sales Agent Job Outlook
According to the BLS.gov, employment for insurance sales agents is expected to increase by 9% between 2014 and 2024 which is faster than the average occupation. The complexity of insurance is part of the reason for the expected growth in this field.
Insurance Agent Career
Learn more details about the skill set and typical work activities of insurance agents.
| Insurance Agent Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Insurance Agents: | Typical Work Activities: |
| • Active Listening • Reading Comprehension • Speaking • Writing | • Oral Comprehension • Oral Expression • Written Comprehension • Written Expression | • Board Games • Building Blocks • Laboratory Balances • Photocopiers | • Selling or Influencing • Communicating with Clients • Building Relationships • Getting Information |
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