
Becoming an Assurance Life Insurance Agent can be a rewarding career path, with a median salary range of $40,000 to $60,000 per year.
Assurance life insurance agents typically start their careers as licensed insurance agents, earning a license by passing a state-administered exam.
To become a licensed insurance agent, one must complete a pre-licensing course and pass the required exam, which can cost around $100 to $300.
A typical day for an Assurance life insurance agent involves meeting with clients to discuss their insurance needs, analyzing their financial situations, and recommending suitable policies.
What to Expect
As an assurance life insurance agent, you can expect a thorough underwriting process to ensure accurate policy issuance. This process typically takes 2-4 weeks.
You'll be assigned a dedicated underwriter who will review your application and supporting documents to assess your risk profile. They'll consider factors such as your age, health, lifestyle, and family medical history.
A typical policy application will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy, with any missing information or discrepancies requiring additional documentation.
Field Overview
As you explore the world of insurance, it's essential to understand the field's basics. The most lucrative career in insurance is selling life insurance, where agents help families and businesses protect against financial loss when someone dies.
Life insurance agents can be either captive or non-captive, meaning they either only sell insurance from one company or represent multiple carriers. Either way, they spend most of their time marketing, providing quotes, and persuading clients to sign new insurance contracts.
A typical life insurance agent receives a significant portion of the policy premium in the first year, ranging from 30% to 90%. This is known as the premium, and it's a crucial aspect of their earnings.
In later years, agents may receive a smaller percentage of each year's premium, called renewals or trailing commissions, which can range from 3% to 10%.
A Few Warnings
Be aware that a career in life insurance sales can be tough, especially when it comes to marketing to your loved ones. You'll likely be expected to sell insurance to your friends and family, which can lead to burnt bridges.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that insurance sales agents can face rejection, which can be emotionally draining. In fact, the "Insurance Sales Agents: Pay" report highlights the potential for high stress levels in this profession.
It's essential to research the insurance company you're considering working for. Check the complaint history on your state insurance commissioner's website, as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommends. This can help you avoid companies with a history of complaints.
Companies with less than an "A" rating or those that use multilevel marketing schemes tend to have more complaints. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' "State Licensing Handbook 2020", page 25, these types of companies often have a higher incidence of complaints compared to larger, more established companies.
Take your time and wait for the right opportunity at the right company to maximize your chances of long-term success.
Is It Time to Review Your Needs?

Re-evaluating your life insurance needs is a wise decision, especially when your circumstances change.
Life insurance laws and regulations are complex and subject to change, so it's essential to stay informed.
Federal and state laws can affect the applicability, accuracy, or completeness of the information you receive.
Consulting an attorney or tax advisor is recommended to understand your specific legal or tax situation.
The information provided is general and educational in nature, and it's not intended to be legal or tax advice.
Getting Started
To become an assurance life insurance agent, you'll need to put together a resume that highlights your entrepreneurial spirit, including any experience as a self-starter.
First, you'll want to find a reputable insurance company with a good reputation among consumers, other agents, and insurance rating agencies. You can start by visiting insurance company rating websites for AM Best, Moody's, or Standard & Poor's, and look for companies with ratings of "A" or higher in your state.
State licensing is a non-negotiable hurdle to becoming an insurance agent, requiring a state-administered licensing exam and a licensing class that typically runs 20-50 hours.
Core Career Path for Licensed Agents
As a Licensed Life Insurance Sales Agent, you can start by working as a State Farm Agent Team Member. Adam Megivern, a State Farm Agent in Ithaca, NY, and Nicholas Romo, a State Farm Agent in Towanda, PA, are great examples of professionals in this role.
You'll have the opportunity to work with experienced agents and learn the ropes. This position will give you hands-on experience in the industry and help you build your skills and knowledge.
State Farm Agent Team Members are responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of the agency, which can include tasks like answering phone calls, responding to customer inquiries, and processing paperwork.
Attend Local Events
Attending local events can be a great way to meet life insurance agents and gauge their expertise and interpersonal skills. Referrals from family, friends, and coworkers can also lead you to these events.
Referrals are particularly valuable because they come with insights into the agent's communication style, reliability, and effectiveness based on firsthand experiences. You can start by asking people you trust if they know a trustworthy life insurance agent in your area.

Attending seminars or workshops on financial planning and insurance topics can provide a no-pressure environment to meet agents and assess their knowledge. These events are often conducted by agents and financial advisors to educate potential clients.
By attending these events, you can get a sense of the agent's expertise and interpersonal skills before committing to any services.
Agent Qualifications and Skills
A life insurance agent needs to have a fighting spirit and be comfortable with rejection. They must be people who love the thrill of the hunt and the rush of a sale.
Most insurance companies don't require a college degree or previous experience in the industry, but a state licensing exam is a non-negotiable hurdle. This typically involves passing a state-administered exam and taking a licensing class that runs 20-50 hours.
To succeed, a life insurance agent must be a go-getter who is not afraid of conflict or rejection.
Agent Qualifications
To be a successful life insurance agent, you need to have a fighting spirit and be comfortable with rejection. More than education and experience, a life insurance agent must love the thrill of the hunt and the rush of a sale.

State licensing is a non-negotiable hurdle that stands between a potential insurance agent and their commissions. Insurance agents are licensed by the individual state or states in which they'll be selling insurance.
The vast majority of life insurance companies have no formal education requirements for becoming an agent. While many prefer college graduates, this general rule is constantly overlooked in favor of the "right" candidates.
Previous experience in the insurance industry is not required because most medium and large insurance carriers have internal programs to train their salespeople about the products they're going to sell.
Empathy-Driven Service
Empathy-driven service is crucial in customer support, especially in industries like insurance. Certified expertise is a must-have for customer service agents.
They bring the knowledge and empathy needed to guide customers through various situations. This includes supporting licensed life insurance sales, health insurance claims, and customer inquiries.
Clear assistance is provided to help members understand eligibility, benefits, and available products. This includes support for new policy enrollments.
Customer service agents within Liveops' network possess the necessary expertise to guide customers effectively.
Finding and Working with an Agent
Finding a trustworthy life insurance agent is crucial to securing your family's financial future. Don't wait to secure your family's future—contact a life insurance agent today to discover how you can benefit from their expertise and support.
Start by asking family, friends, and coworkers if they can recommend a trustworthy life insurance agent in your vicinity. Referrals are particularly valuable because they come with insights into the agent's communication style, reliability, and effectiveness based on firsthand experiences.
Getting Hired
To get hired as a life insurance agent, you'll need to put together a resume that highlights your entrepreneurial spirit, including any experience that shows you taking initiative to make things happen.
A resume that showcases your ability to be a self-starter will help you get your foot in the door with potential employers.
You'll want to apply to well-known companies with a good reputation among consumers, other agents, and insurance rating agencies.

Checking the insurance company rating websites for AM Best, Moody's, or Standard & Poor's can help you build a list of companies with ratings of "A" or higher in your state.
These companies typically offer secure products at reasonable prices and prioritize compensating and keeping quality agents.
The work of a life insurance agent is grueling, with many agents not lasting more than a year, but this also means there are constant vacancies and it can be relatively easy to get started as a new hire.
Client Consultation
To have a successful client consultation, agents need to gather a comprehensive understanding of your financial situation, life goals, family responsibilities, health status, and other relevant factors. This helps them determine what types of coverage and how much coverage might be appropriate.
During the consultation, agents will likely ask about your financial situation, including your income, expenses, debts, and assets. They'll also want to know about your life goals, such as planning for retirement or paying for your children's education.
The agent will also want to know about your family responsibilities, such as dependents or beneficiaries. This information helps them tailor a plan that meets your unique needs.
Client consultations are a crucial step in finding the right agent for you. By understanding your needs and goals, you can make informed decisions about your insurance coverage.
Attending local seminars or workshops, as mentioned in Example 3, can also provide an opportunity to meet agents in a no-pressure environment. This can give you a chance to gauge their expertise and interpersonal skills before committing to any services.
Strengthen Customer Loyalty
Working with a life insurance agent can be a game-changer when it comes to finding the right policy for your needs.
Life insurance agents offer ongoing customer service support and can review your policy periodically to suggest adjustments or updates to ensure that your coverage continues to meet your needs.
They can also help with policy management tasks such as beneficiary changes, conversions, etc. This level of support can make a big difference in building trust and loyalty with your agent.
Skilled customer service agents, like those within Liveops' network, are carefully selected for their expertise and interpersonal skills, ensuring they represent your brand with professionalism and empathy.
By consistently delivering high-quality customer interactions, your insurance organization can achieve stronger CSAT and NPS results.
Finding a Local Agent
Finding a local agent can be a great way to get personalized advice and support. Start by asking family, friends, and coworkers if they can recommend a trustworthy life insurance agent in your vicinity.
Referrals are particularly valuable because they come with insights into the agent's communication style, reliability, and effectiveness based on firsthand experiences. This can give you a sense of whether the agent is a good fit for your needs.
Local seminars and workshops are another great way to meet agents in a no-pressure environment. Agents and financial advisors often conduct these events on financial planning and insurance topics for potential clients.
Attending these events can provide an opportunity to gauge the agent's expertise and interpersonal skills before committing to any services. This can be a great way to get a sense of whether you feel comfortable working with the agent.
Agent Services and Support
Life insurance agents offer ongoing customer service support to help you navigate life's changes and ensure your coverage meets your needs. They can review your policy periodically to suggest adjustments or updates.
Agents can assist with policy management tasks such as beneficiary changes, conversions, and more. This can help you avoid delays or coverage denials.
Finding the right life insurance agent near you involves several steps, including researching and interviewing potential agents. By working with a competent and reliable agent, you can feel confident that your family's financial future is secure.
Having an agent can be invaluable in the event of a claim, as they can act as your advocate with the insurance company. They can help submit paperwork and work to resolve any issues, ensuring your claim is processed efficiently and fairly.
Assistance with Application Process
Having a life insurance agent guide you through the application process can make a significant difference in securing your family's financial future. They'll assist with completing forms, gathering necessary documents, and coordinating medical exams or health assessments required by the insurance provider.
A life insurance agent will manage the paperwork to help avoid delays or coverage denials. They'll ensure that all the necessary paperwork is completed accurately.

Your agent will be with you every step of the way, providing clear assistance to help you understand eligibility, benefits, and available products. They'll also support you with new policy enrollments.
By having a life insurance agent assist with the application process, you'll have peace of mind knowing that everything is being taken care of.
Ongoing Support and Policy Management
As your life changes, your insurance needs can too. Life insurance agents offer ongoing customer service support to help you adjust your policy as needed.
They can review your policy periodically to suggest updates or changes that ensure your coverage meets your current needs. This is especially important if you've experienced a change in income, marital status, or family size.
Agents can also help with policy management tasks, such as changing beneficiaries or converting your policy. This can give you peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are protected.
In the event of a claim, having an agent on your side can be invaluable. They can act as your advocate with the insurance company, helping to ensure that claims are processed efficiently and fairly.
Life insurance agents can help submit paperwork and work to resolve any issues that arise during the claims process. This can save you time and stress.
By having a dedicated agent, you can rest assured that your policy is being managed with care and attention to detail.
Sales and Commission
As an assurance life insurance agent, understanding sales and commission is crucial to your success.
Uni, an experienced insurance agent, sells whole life insurance policies that cover the policyholder for their entire life, assuming they continue to make premium payments.
The commission on whole life policies can be substantial, with 90% of the first year's premium going to the selling agent and 5% of future renewals.
Uni's insurance company pays a commission of $1,080 on the first year's premium, which is 90% of the $1,200 annual premium.
An agent selling one or two policies per week at this commission level could make $50,000 to $100,000 in their first year as an agent.
In subsequent years, Uni makes $60 in renewals, as long as the policyholder continues to pay the premiums, which is 5% of the annual premium.
This commission structure can vary depending on the insurance company and policy type, but it provides a clear idea of the potential earnings for assurance life insurance agents.
Why Do I Need an Insurance Agent?
Having a life insurance agent can provide significant benefits when navigating the complexities of choosing the right life insurance to meet your needs.
A life insurance agent can help you navigate the complexities of life insurance, providing guidance on the right coverage for your situation.
With their expertise, you can get personalized advice and recommendations tailored to your specific needs and goals.
They can also help you compare different policies and find the best one for you, saving you time and effort.
A life insurance agent can provide significant benefits when purchasing coverage, including helping you navigate the complexities of choosing the right life insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest salary for a life insurance agent?
The highest salary for a life insurance agent in California is $143,102, while top earners can reach up to $137,179 annually.
What do you do as a life insurance agent?
As a life insurance agent, I sell policies on behalf of the insurance company, working with either one or multiple insurers to find the best fit for my clients. My goal is to help individuals and families protect their loved ones and secure their financial future.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/08/become-insurance-agent.asp
- https://www.westernsouthern.com/life-insurance/life-insurance-agent
- https://www.salary.com/job/assurance/licensed-life-insurance-sales-agent/j202403260436070242210
- https://oci.georgia.gov/agents-agency-licensing/agency-licensing-renewals
- https://liveops.com/industries/insurance/
Featured Images: pexels.com