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Insurance Sales Agent

All About Insurance Sales Agents

Job Description & Duties 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.

What Do Insurance Sales Agents Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Install bookkeeping systems and resolve system problems.
  • Explain necessary bookkeeping requirements for customer to implement and provide group insurance program.
  • Interview prospective clients to obtain data about their financial resources and needs, the physical condition of the person or property to be insured, and to discuss any existing coverage.
  • Attend meetings, seminars, and programs to learn about new products and services, learn new skills, and receive technical assistance in developing new accounts.
  • Inspect property, examining its general condition, type of construction, age, and other characteristics, to decide if it is a good insurance risk.
  • 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.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Insurance Sales Agent?

Insurance Sales Agents state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

  • Insurance Salesperson
  • Insurance Special Agent
  • Sales Agent
  • District Agent
  • Compensation Agent

Is There Going to be Demand 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. There will be an estimated 54,700 positions for Insurance Sales Agent per year.

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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.

Salary for an Insurance Sales Agent

The salary for Insurance Sales Agents ranges between about $27,500 and $125,610 a year.

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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

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Insurance Sales Agents may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Facebook
  • Scheduling software
  • YouTube
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • LinkedIn
  • Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
  • Applied Systems Vision
  • Insurance rating software

How to Become an Insurance Sales Agent

Individuals working as an Insurance Sales Agent have obtained the following education levels:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being an Insurance Sales Agent may also be interested in:

Those who work as an Insurance Sales Agent sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

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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