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How does everyone sell insurance?
Main Post: How does everyone sell insurance?
Top Comment: I did cold calling for a State Farm agency and I was taught too first review their profile and find out what coverage they have and what kind of policies they have. For example, if they had an auto policy I would call and try to get them to bundle with a Homeowners or a renters policy. Basically learn about the customer and figure out what they would be interested in based off their profile and try to sell it over the phone. Learn more about quotes and policies and all that jazz just to boost your confidence. You can't sell something your not confident in. Don't listen to these people saying cold calling doesn't work because I can tell you it absolutely does.
Why I left insurance sales
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Here is the story as to why I left the life insurance industry as a whole and I’m going to let my license expire on December 31st, 2024.
I saw somewhere that you can make 10k a month selling life insurance. I was hooked. I took the pre-licensing course and got my state license. I then got with an agency and the recruiter told me that the leads were exclusive and pre-qualified meaning I didn’t have to do any cold calling or door knocking. I was even more hooked. This seemed too good to be true.
I start working at the agency and the first alarm bell goes off in my head. I have to pay for leads. I asked my spline about this and he said the reason they cost money is because they are high quality leads. I said hm okay, so I purchased them. Turns out the leads were aged, recycled, and most of them claimed to never have shown an interest in life insurance, including usage of foul language and making threats to get law enforcement involved. I made no money, helped no families and was extremely dissatisfied. And mind you, my upline told me that the leads were exclusive and the best in the industry. What. Lie.
I left that agency and got with another one. They also told em the same thing as the previous agency. No cold calling, no door knocking, we provide you with the best high quality leads in the industry with a blah blah closing ratio. Once again, the leads cost money but this time they were 1 month old instead of 3. I said hm okay, what can go wrong? Well, turns out that this agency was worse than the previous one. Once again despite me being told that the leads were high quality, I got ghosted a lot, cancelled appointments, loss of interest due to not being able to afford it, people claiming that they had never shown an interest in life insurance, insulting me and making threats over the phone. The whole thing was even worse than working retail during holiday season. This time, I lost $1,000 buying E&O coverage, fingerprint background check, and overpriced leads that ended up not even working out.
This is when reality hit me that this is not an industry I want to be in. At this point in my career I had felt the dirtiest I had ever felt and I wasn’t even making any money to justify it. I was LOSING money while being treated like garbage by angry prospects. I rage quit that job.
I ended up going to a THIRD agency because “third time’s a charm”. This company did not make you pay for leads, however, it had a very similar business structure as Herbalife and amway where you have to recruit. You have to ask your friends, family, neighbors, and social media followers if they are interested in working. Once again, I made no money, people knew it was a pyramid scheme and lost a couple of friends because they didn’t want to deal with my sales tactics.
This was it. I said I’m done. I’m done with insurance and I’m done with sales. I ended up going back to community college for an associates in I.T (paid for with FAFSA federal pell grants) and I’m also studying for my CompTIA certifications to work in the I.T industry and I could not be happier with my decision.
Till this day I still get messages and calls from recruiters trying to hit me with the same “we are seeking licensed agents. No cold calling. We have the most exclusive leads in the industry” & it fills me with so much rage how stupid they think I am to fall for their nonsense again. Insurance sales recruiters are straight up liars and they seem to feel no shame towards it.
Finally, a lot of them love to promote the lavish luxury lifestyle to reel people in. I also don’t care about that. I am happy with what I have. Family and health is more important to me than some Tesla Model 3.
Top Comment: They were holding onto the Glengarry leads.
Should I sell insurance or real estate?
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Been an RV salesman for 5 years. Tired of dealerships. Make around 125k/yr.
I already have my insurance license, but it’s super boring. However, I need to commit to one. Would you do insurance or real estate?
Top Comment: Real Estate is fun, but it's feast-or-famine. A month without closings is a month without income. Insurance has better long-term upside because you get the renewal - just focus on a niche that you might actually care about like boats, classic cars, airplanes, restaurants, trucking, etc. Then it's not so boring.
The Realities of Life Insurance Sales: What It Takes to Succeed
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Life insurance sales is often portrayed as a lucrative and flexible career, but the truth is, most agents don’t make it past the first few years. In my experience, more than 90% of life insurance agents fail within their first twelve months. Why? It’s not because the job is impossible, but because many agents enter the industry with misconceptions about what it really takes to succeed.
If you’re considering a career in life insurance sales, or you’re struggling to find your footing, please continue reading. I’m going to attempt to break down the key factors that separate successful agents from those who don’t make it.
The Harsh Reality: Most Agents Won’t Make It
Unfortunately, the vast majority of life insurance agents quit within their first few years. The reason? Many new agents underestimate the amount of effort and skill required to build a sustainable business. Consider the following:
- Life Insurance Is NOT a Traditional 9-to-5 Job – Unlike a regular salaried job, success in life insurance sales depends entirely on your ability to generate leads, build relationships, and close deals, day-in, and day-out. And rarely do life insurance employers offer guaranteed paychecks, so you eat what you kill as they say =).
- High Rejection Rate – Selling life insurance means dealing with a lot of rejection. Not everyone wants to talk about life insurance, and even fewer are ready to buy. So get used to hearing “No” WAYYY more than you hear “Yes”.
- Learning Curve – It takes time to develop the skills needed to succeed. Not only must you learn how to sell, you must learn how to navigate the application process for each carrier, manage the retention process, and more. Many agents give up before they ever get the chance to refine their sales techniques.
The Success Formula: What Agents Who Refuse To Fail Do Differently
While the majority of agents struggle, there is a group of top performers who thrive in this industry. What do they do differently?
It comes down to mindset, strategy, and persistence.
1. They Treat Selling Life Insurance Like a Business, Not a Job
Successful agents understand that life insurance sales is not a regular job where you clock in and out. It’s a business, and they treat it as such. This means:
- Investing in marketing to generate leads if they are not in a free lead program.
- Managing their time effectively to maximize productivity. Idle hands are the Devil’s playthings in this business =).
- Tracking their progress and constantly improving their sales process. PRO-TIP: The best agents listen to their own sales calls religiously. Nothing is better in improving your game.
2. They Master the Art of Prospecting
One of the biggest reasons agents fail is because they run out of people to sell to. The best agents are constantly prospecting and generating leads. They do this by:
- Leveraging social media to build an audience and attract potential clients, whether through organic posts or paid ads.
- Networking consistently and forming connections in their community
- Asking for referrals from satisfied clients
3. They Have a Thick Skin and Embrace Rejection
Rejection is part of the game. The agents who succeed understand that “no” is not personal. They use rejection as a learning experience and keep moving forward. ALWAYS REMEMBER: The most successful life insurance agents hear NO more than than failed agents ever did.
4. They Stay Consistent and Play the Long Game
Success in life insurance sales doesn’t happen overnight. It takes months, sometimes years, to build a steady stream of clients and referrals. The top agents don’t give up when things get tough – they push through and remain consistent.
5. They Find a Mentor and Join the Right Team
No one succeeds in this industry alone. The best agents seek out mentorship and surround themselves with people who can help them grow. Joining an agency with strong training, leadership, and support can make all the difference.
Is Life Insurance Sales Right for You?
Not everyone is cut out for this industry, but if you’re willing to put in the work, develop the right skills, and stay persistent, you can build a highly successful and rewarding career.
The question is: Are you ready to do what it takes?
Top Comment: I agree with a lot of this, but it’s not ALL on the new agents. Some of it is predatory recruiting and compensation practices, some of it is uplines recruiting before they even know what they are doing.
[deleted by user]
Main Post: [deleted by user]
Top Comment: Depends. Personal insurance sales (life, health, etc.) often demands that you start with your own network of family and friends. Some people are comfortable with that, some aren't. Commercial insurance is usually more conventional sales - cold calling, prospecting, etc. If you've never worked in sales, I'd be cautious about taking a 100% commission job (which many insurance sales jobs are). It could be a difficult and expensive way to learn that sales isn't for you.
Beware of insurance sales gigs
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I'm not going to namedrop the company I worked for, but please be wary of positions that are 100% commission and the leaders say you can make $100k in your first year. I understand this is more than likely not an uncommon idea, but this post is more so for young kids getting out of college and looking at sales positions. Unfortunately, I was not aware of this sub and I fell into the trap of working a position out of school that had no benefits, no base, and a product that was difficult to sell, all the while with leaders that preach the same bullshit of "we are a family" and "it's a numbers game"
Top Comment: Used to sell to agents. Didn’t meet a single producer making 100k.
Expectations for 1st year Insurance Sales?
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Context: Been in sales for about 5 years now but more specifically in the advertising and SaaS space. After a recent layoff from my previous tech company I am now on the market for a new sales job but always want to explore all avenues. Interviewed today at a what I've heard to be a good Insurance Company (Fortune 100). Made it to the second round after a conversation with the managing partner.
I am used to a salary including OTE range between $75-$110k per year. Realistically, how likely am I to be successful in my first year in the insurance business? What did you all make your first year (if you don't mind sharing of course). I have some serious apprehension after the layoff so I also want to hear about job security.
TIA
Top Comment: If you can sell you can do well. And how much you make depends a lot on the level of support you get, what you sell, etc. A family friend made 7 figures doing Med Mal, which is very niche. I started at a small agency in health/life with little support, and made literally $25k my first year. It took me until year 4 to earn 100k. The great thing is that now 7 years in much of my income is renewals that I'll earn whether I work or not. The first few years are a poop sandwich, and everything after that is great. Being with a fortune 100 will likely be a very different experience than what I had, and will probably offer more stability and training, but less control and ownership of your book.
What is it like being an insurance agent?
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IF YOU ENJOY THE COMPANY YOU WORK FOR, PLEASE SHARE WHAT COMPANY IT IS, I AM TRYING TO SIFT THROUGH THE BAD REVIEWS ON GLASSDOOR ETC. Thank you :) ( ps I wasn't yelling 😂 )
I am interested in becoming an insurance agent, I know I would need to get licensed. I have looked at several companies on glassdoor, like Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Allstate, etc. The reviews are very mixed, either the pay is commission based, it's stressful long hours, or too much work load.
It seems some companies pay really well, but then they have no work life balance. It seems like it's always something.
Work life balance is my top priority, pay is 2nd. I would like to be able to do my work from home and be able to pick my kids up from school, take them to practice or appointments, or go watch a concert they are doing at school. I don't want to be tied to a desk.
But I also need to make decent money, minimum wage is not livable for me. Right now I make 23 an hour at a factory, but the hours can be long and I feel like I never see my family.
What is it like for you? Are there any companies you recommend?
Top Comment: Here is my advice to you as someone who has been in the business. Now, Liberty Mutual, Allstate, state farm, farmers, New York life, mass mutual are all good companies. What really makes the difference is first your attitude and willingness to make this opportunity work. Second your manager because when you start as an insurance producer there are challenges and things you don't know you don't know. Good training. I mean I assume you want to an insurance agent/producer. As far as work life balance you do get to make your own schedule so you can fit things in. At the same time selling insurance is very entrepreneurial. It's a sales and really a prospecting job. You have to beat the bushes and take literally 100s of no's to find the yes. The yes's pay well. It is not a career for those who like to work casually because sales jobs take an amount of momentum. . It's a ball to the wall type job. You need to be driven and goal oriented. When you start everything seems like heart ache and hassle. However, if you find you like the career eventually you will want to go independent, own your own book. Far better commissions The property and casualty business is nickel and dime with personal lines but has a good renewal. The life business has the best first year commissions but not as a strong as renewal. I would do both PC and life as people need both. This is a job where if you work harder than you want you can make a great lifestyle. If you take breaks you will be broke. Most people aren't willing to pay the price to make it work. That said those who do will make an asset for themselves. I know agents making $10,000 a month just on renewals. They play a lot of golf, but not when they started. They earned it. I hope this helps.
How to start a career in insurance from scratch.
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Hello all,
I am going to attempt to make a step by step guide for how to start a career in insurance. This guide is based solely off of my experiences and I am just trying to teach what has worked for me and I believe this is a great way to get a job that pays 60-85k a year very quickly without a ton of upfront education or experience required. I understand there are many other ways to start a career in insurance. This is just one. The advise in this post will be very specific. I am trying to teach you how to get a specific job because there is a very high market for these jobs. Once you get this job and have some experience under your belt, you can go multiple different directions depending on what you choose. Again this post is intended for people who have zero experience in insurance and are looking for a stable job/ career that pays 60-85k a year with lots of growth potential.
Step 1) Getting licensed. The first thing you need to do in order to get a job in insurance is to get licensed. Obtain your property and casualty license as well as life license in whichever state you live in. I recommend using Exam Fx for pre-licensing and to study for your exams but there are lots of other companies. Do your own research and decide which one to use. It shouldn’t take longer than 2 months to obtain these licenses. This will cost a few hundred dollars. Once you have these licenses, you will become highly desirable for employers.
Step 2) Creating your resume/ finding the right agency to work for.
Once you have obtained your licenses, it’s time to polish up your resume and start the job hunt. Having a resume that appeals to a well established agency is the key. When describing your past work experience on your resume, you should highlight the things that overlap with the role that you are applying for. In this post, I am teaching you how to become a customer service representative or a licensed sales producer. Some agencies have hybrid roles that do both. What I recommend doing is going on a job listing platform( I recommend Indeed) and searching for insurance jobs near you. Look for captive agencies(allstate, statefarm, farmers, etc).
Side note:This is just an outline of the actions required to secure the job. I understand there are many more details. Please message me with any questions and I will provide a detailed response.
The key here is finding a well established agency ideally in your area. You can tell by looking them up and checking reviews, looking at their website, social medias, etc. On the website, most agencies include pictures of the staff. The more staff an agency has, the better. An agent with a lot of staff indicates that they have large book of business and more resources to invest back into the business and its employees. This is crucial because if you are just getting started in insurance, you want to work for an agency that is going to slowly build you up and will invest in you, patiently. The opposite of this would be a new agency that has a small book of business and cannot afford to pay your salary unless you are hitting your goals immediately. This will lead to high levels of stress and uncertainty which will cause you to quickly question if this job is right for you and you will probably quit. This is why most people quit. Insurance is very hard to learn and it requires an agency that is willing to invest in you and let you make mistakes for a little until you get really good.
Once you have sent out a bunch of applications, you should get some responses very quickly! There is a lot of demand for these positions so if you are licensed and have a clean resume, you will get responses quickly. Also another side note: I recommend creating a cover letter that states why you are switching careers to insurance, what values you are looking for in your next employer and why your experience/ attitude makes you a qualified candidate.
From there, all you have to do is attend interviews and secure a job! I recommend interviewing with at least 2-3 agencies so you can make the best choice and try not to accept the first offer unless it’s amazing. Remember, finding a great agency is the key to having a good experience in this role. In the right agency, this really can be an awesome job with stability, good pay, work life balance, upward mobility, benefits and fulfilling work!!
Please reach out with any questions. If you are interested in getting one of these jobs, I can coach you through the whole process for free. Hope this was helpful
Top Comment: 60 to 85K starting out as a producer is a bit of a stretch. I would say 25K to 35K is more realistic. Cool write-up though.
5 Reasons Why Selling Insurance May Not Be For You...
Main Post: 5 Reasons Why Selling Insurance May Not Be For You...