Is a Career as a Life and Health Insurance Sales Agent Right for Me?

Maybe you are a new grad exploring your career options, or a seasoned professional interested in pursuing a more flexible career. You might be a retiree who wants to return to work part-time, or a successful auto or other sales agent looking to supplement their income. There are many reasons that people consider a career in insurance sales, and all of them are valid.

If you have ever wondered if an insurance sales position is right for you, then you have come to the right place. Let’s talk more about what the job involves, what type of person is a good fit, and how to find the right life and health insurance license classes for you.

What does a life and health sales insurance agent do?

As the job title suggests, a life and health sales insurance agent helps people purchase insurance coverage for themselves and their families. Common insurance policies include term or whole-life, disability, annuities, long-term care coverage, and more. These policies protect people from unforeseen circumstances and provide financial relief during an illness, after an accident, or in the event of a death.

You may work for a specific insurance company or for a brokerage that offers products from several insurance providers. In either case, your role will be to help people find a policy that matches their unique needs and budget. Many insurance sales agents feel rewarded knowing they are helping people take care of their families during tough times.

What are the pros of becoming an insurance sales agent?

There are plenty of great reasons to pursue an insurance sales position. The most talked-about benefits include:

Lots of job openings in a stable industry
Flexible schedules and varied duties
Easy and inexpensive entry requirements
Unlimited salary potential (commission based)
Chance to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives

What characteristics make a good insurance sales agent?

Because no two customers are alike, the same rings true for life and health insurance agents. While there is no perfect personality type that guarantees success, accomplished agents share these characteristics:

Great communication skills, enjoys talking to people
Willingness to learn and keep informed of new products and regulations
Independently motivated and able to work with minimal supervision
Honest and ethical, genuinely cares about helping people

Do I need a life and health insurance license?

Yes. All 50 states require insurance sales agents to get a valid license. Each state has a different testing and licensing process, and many require background checks and fingerprinting. The average renewal period is two years, and you will need to complete Continued Education (CE) courses to maintain your license.

How do I sign up for life and health insurance license classes?

It is wise to attend pre-licensing courses before you sit for your licensing exam. Luckily, there are reputable life and health insurance license classes available. These simple and affordable courses provide textbooks, video tutorials, practice exams, and other tools to help you pass the exam and give you the confidence you need to launch an exciting new career.