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Clayton Said:

Is anyone an insurance agent or broker?

We Answered:

What insurance agency do you work for (optional question)?

I'm going to pass on the name, but it is one of the four largest companies in the US.

Do you enjoy working in the insurance field?

I love working in insurance, it grants me the opportunity to help people financially today and down the line. When I find someone with inadequate coverages I am able to help remedy that situation and people love saving money when there is money to be saved. Additionally, life insurance offers its own rewards. Helping a family who just lost the sole provider by issuing a $500,000 check makes things seem a whole lot better. Knowing that you did your job the right way, and now the family will not need to sell their home to keep food on the table and little Johnny will still be able to go to college one day.

What made you go into the insurance field?

I got in originally on the recommendation of someone I knew who was working in the industry. They thought I would be a good fit for the company and its all history from there.

How long have you been involved in the insurance field?

4 years

What type of education do you need to be in the field?

I completed a 4 year degree program in order to be considered by the company. Most national companies require this of their employees. After graduation, I completed an insurance certification program.

What types of insurance policies do you sell? (Examples: life, health, vehicle, disability, property liability, etc)

I sell all of the personal lines. Home, auto, umbrella, motorcycle, fire dwelling, life, etc.

Do you promote one type of policy over another (term v. whole life?) If so, why?

Absolutely not. Life insurance is one of the most personalized products around today and to exclude or focus on any particular type of product would be to minimalize the needs of the client.


How many policies do you sell a year?

Last year I sold about 325 policies

What is the most awarding part of the job?

The people I get to meet and the ways I am able to help them.

What is the most difficult part of the job?

Finding new clients to work with

Have you encountered any unethical insurance agent, broker, or client? What was the situation? What was the final outcome?

I have seen people doing things and saying things that are not quite right. In these cases I tend to address the issue directly with the rep in question, but when all else fails, there are people whose job is just making sure that agents remain complaint both with company and state rules and requirements

What advise would you give someone who may be contemplating entering the field?

Don't get discouraged. This can be a really tough field (only about 1 in 5 make it past the first 3 years), but it is also incredibly rewarding. You can make a great difference in the lives of those around you, or you can be one of those that find the door out as fast as you got started.

Hilda Said:

How to become an Insurance agent or broker in Canada and how much do they make.?

We Answered:

Insurance agents/brokers are PROVINCIALLY regulated and licensed, not federally. So in order to tell you how to become one we need to know what province/territory you live in. As for how much they make it depends on the license class, experience and position sought after. Salaries range from $25,000-$200,000 annually.

Elizabeth Said:

Car Insurance Broker/Agent License in New York State?

We Answered:

A link is below. I hope it helps.

Norman Said:

what is the disadvantages of being a Insurance Agent or Mutual Fund broker ?

We Answered:

First off, these two things are the same as the products you sell are marketed the same way.

Disadvantages are many but thats what you get for selecting one of the best occupations around. If it was easy, everyone would do it, correct?

1) hard work - everyone hears this and says "yeah yeah everything is hard work, I've done it before, I'm used to it..." With all due respect no you are not used to it and your idea of hard work in most cases won't come close to how truly you must commit yourself to long hard hours for many years to achieve success

2) fear of rejection - if you have anything less than skin thicker than an elephant's behind, you will be run out of this business very quickly. The amount of rejection, from both strangers and friends and family alike you will be constant and overwhleming. Very few people can keep their attitues where they should be grit through it

3) Pressure to earn - these are commisison roles or at least after one year they are all commission roles. If you do not have a cushion of cash saved up or income from another source (ie. a spouse) the pressure to make sales right now will drive your customers away in hordes and you will always be opertaing under the gun, never realy sure if the advice you are giving is best for your client or for your wallet.

There are many many other disadvantages but the advantages are both numerous and compelling which is why so mnay people take a shot at these careers. The industry statistics show that if 10 people embarked on careers today in these occupations (regardless of company)
2.4 will still be in the business in 2 years from now. But I will say those 2.4 people are truly engaged in a lucrative and rewarding career.