What Does it Take to Be an Insurance Sales Agent?
Insurance Sales Agent Job Description 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.
Life As an Insurance Sales Agent
- Monitor insurance claims to ensure they are settled equitably for both the client and the insurer.
- Select company that offers type of coverage requested by client to underwrite policy.
- Confer with clients to obtain and provide information when claims are made on a policy.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as maintaining records and handling policy renewals.
- Call on policyholders to deliver and explain policy, to analyze insurance program and suggest additions or changes, or to change beneficiaries.
- Seek out new clients and develop clientele by networking to find new customers and generate lists of prospective clients.
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Things an Insurance Sales Agent Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Insurance Sales Agents say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Types of Insurance Sales Agent
- Group Insurance Specialist
- Business Account Leader
- Enrollment Specialist
- Outside Sales Representative
- Sales Agent
Are There Job Opportunities for Insurance Sales Agents?
There were about 501,400 jobs for Insurance Sales Agent in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 49,800 new jobs for Insurance Sales Agent by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 54,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Insurance Sales Agent are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Insurance Sales Agent Make?
The average yearly salary of an Insurance Sales Agent ranges between $27,500 and $125,610.
Insurance Sales Agents who work in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Insurance Sales Agents make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $81,410 |
| Alaska | $71,150 |
| Arizona | $59,160 |
| Arkansas | $58,340 |
| California | $76,420 |
| Colorado | $68,560 |
| Connecticut | $80,120 |
| Delaware | $60,450 |
| District of Columbia | $74,990 |
| Florida | $63,180 |
| Georgia | $59,940 |
| Hawaii | $66,150 |
| Idaho | $57,410 |
| Illinois | $69,520 |
| Indiana | $65,310 |
| Iowa | $63,130 |
| Kansas | $68,100 |
| Kentucky | $55,800 |
| Louisiana | $50,420 |
| Maine | $60,840 |
| Maryland | $66,590 |
| Massachusetts | $89,100 |
| Michigan | $66,910 |
| Minnesota | $74,140 |
| Mississippi | $61,650 |
| Missouri | $59,420 |
| Montana | $63,620 |
| Nebraska | $72,040 |
| Nevada | $70,870 |
| New Hampshire | $65,310 |
| New Jersey | $76,160 |
| New Mexico | $47,070 |
| New York | $84,540 |
| North Carolina | $69,020 |
| North Dakota | $63,940 |
| Ohio | $60,500 |
| Oklahoma | $60,010 |
| Oregon | $65,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,970 |
| Rhode Island | $67,880 |
| South Carolina | $58,600 |
| South Dakota | $63,180 |
| Tennessee | $57,460 |
| Texas | $62,760 |
| Utah | $54,370 |
| Virginia | $60,100 |
| Washington | $61,930 |
| West Virginia | $52,240 |
| Wisconsin | $74,690 |
| Wyoming | $57,190 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Insurance Sales Agents
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Insurance Sales Agents:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Scheduling software
- YouTube
- Medical procedure coding software
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
- Applied Systems Vision
- Insurance rating software
How to Become an Insurance Sales Agent
What education or degrees do I need to become an Insurance Sales Agent?
What work experience do I need to become an Insurance Sales Agent?
Where do Insurance Sales Agents Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Insurance Sales Agents employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming an Insurance Sales Agent might also be interested in the following careers:
- Gaming Managers
- Sales Managers
- Human Resources Managers
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
- Supply Chain Managers
Are you already one of the many Insurance Sales Agent in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Nick Youngson via Creative Commons 3 - CC BY-SA 3.0
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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