Life insurance is one of the most important investments you can make, and it pays to know that your family will be taken care of in your absence-whether it’s for financial reasons or emotional support. If you’re interested in helping others protect themselves against the unthinkable, then this might be the perfect career opportunity for you! In this article, we share The Top 4 Reasons to Become a Life Insurance Agent.
What Does a Life Insurance Agent Do?
A life insurance agent helps people protect their family and finances against the unthinkable: untimely death.
To be a successful agent, you need to have compassion for people and be willing to listen. You should also feel comfortable talking about difficult topics such as death, which can help sell life insurance plans more effectively than someone who is uncomfortable around these issues.
To succeed financially as a life insurance agent, it’s important to be knowledgeable in all areas of finance so you can determine when it’s appropriate for your clients to buy an annuity bond instead of relying solely on an income stream from social security or other sources.
You’ll also need strong communication skills so you can discuss complex financial instruments with the customer in an understandable way. It pays to have a good sense of direction, too.
A career in life insurance may lead you to open your own agency or work for an established company.
The Top 4 Reasons: Why Become a Life Insurance Agent
There are many benefits to becoming a life insurance agent. For starters, you’ll have the opportunity to help people protect their families and finances. As an agent, you’ll also have access to exclusive training materials and resources that will help you grow your business. Plus, you’ll be able to work from home or on your own schedule, which is perfect if you’re looking for more flexibility in your career.
1 – A Life Insurance Agent Encourages People to Protect Their Families.
Life insurance is an important part of everyone’s life, but many people don’t realize that until it’s too late. That’s where a life insurance agent steps in; they help guide you through the process and ensure that your family will be protected in your absence-regardless of how financially independent or dependent they are. From young couples looking to start building their lives together to parents needing peace of mind knowing their children will be cared for after they’re gone, agents help create financial safety nets for all kinds of families. Working one on one with clients allows them to get to know them better than anyone else can, which helps them justify what protection levels are best suited to their unique needs.
In addition to the peace of mind that comes with knowing your loved ones are taken care of in case of an emergency, being a life insurance agent comes with a number of other benefits.
2 – Stable and Reliable Career with Plenty of Opportunity for Growth
For one, it’s a stable and reliable career with plenty of opportunity for growth; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for life insurance agents are expected to grow 10% by 2024. This is largely due to the fact that more and more Americans are becoming aware of the importance of life insurance-and as this trend continues, the need for qualified agents will only increase.
3 – Offers Flexibility and Independence
On top of that, this career also offers flexibility and independence. You’re able to work from home (or anywhere with an internet connection) and select your own clients. This gives you the ability to set your own hours, make extra money on the side, or choose the types of clients you want to work with-all while making a real difference in people’s lives.
4 – Offers High Earning Potential
Finally, working as a life insurance agent also offers high earning potential. Agents are compensated based on how much business they bring in; since there are no limits to how much someone can earn, top agents are able to bring in six figures within their first year alone! And if that’s still not impressive enough for you, consider this: many agents typically enjoy higher salaries than most other professions do because it takes years off of one’s lifespan. That means not only will you have the freedom to enjoy life now, but you’ll also be building up a huge nest egg for your future.
What are the Skill Requirements to Become A Life Insurance Agent?
To become a successful life insurance agent, individuals should be confident communicators who are skilled at asking leading questions that help them determine the needs of their customers.
A bachelor’s degree in business is often preferred and can give potential employers and clients confidence that you’re qualified and able to serve them well.
Individuals interested in becoming a life insurance agent would do best to enroll in courses such as finance and economics because this will give them skills necessary to attract more clients and reduce the risk associated with purchasing financial instruments that typically require advanced degrees such as annuities, bonds, and other investment vehicles.
Life Insurance Agent Education Requirements
There are various levels of education that one can have in order to become a life insurance agent. A high school diploma may be sufficient for some entry-level positions, but many employers prefer their employees to hold at least an associate’s degree.
Those interested in becoming an agent should consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance or business, as this will give them the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this career.
There are also many certificate programs that offer specialized training in areas such as retirement planning or investment strategies.
Symmetry Financial Group offers a number of free resources on its website, including an overview of what it takes to become a life insurance agent and the different paths one can take to reach this career goal.
How to be a Life Insurance Agent: Career Path
There are various paths one can take to become a life insurance agent. Many agents start their careers working for an insurance company as customer service representatives. They then move on to become a licensed producer and, after gaining experience, may eventually become an agent. Some people choose to open their own agency after working for a few years as an agent. There are also opportunities to work for larger companies that have their own training programs for new agents.
Life Insurance Agent Average Salary
The median annual pay for life insurance agents is $95,000. However, the top 10 percent make more than $124,000 annually. (source)
Life Insurance Agent Education Requirements
Individuals who are interested in becoming a life insurance agent need to have at least a bachelor’s degree; many employers prefer their employees to hold an associate’s degree or some type of relevant certification similar to what is required of financial planners (CFP). A bachelor’s degree in finance or business will give you the foundation you need to succeed as a life insurance agent. You can also work toward gaining industry-specific knowledge through certificates offered at many colleges or independent programs that lead to positions related to planning such as working with 401(k) retirement plans or becoming a Symmetry Financial Group Agent.
How to Become a Life Insurance Agent
If this sounds like the kind of opportunity you want to take advantage of, there are plenty of ways to break into the industry. The first step is acquiring your state license; requirements vary by jurisdiction, but applicants generally need two things: 1) proof that they’re 18 or older and 2) proof of good moral character (typically achieved by submitting an application with sections describing any criminal offenses). Once you’ve acquired your license it’s time to start hunting for clients!
Many agents recommend starting with friends and family members; since these relationships are already comfortable, most people feel at ease when purchasing something from someone they know and trust. From there, agents can expand their business by networking with other professionals in their community (like accountants, lawyers, and real estate agents), or by advertising their services online or in print.
Recap: Is it Time To Consider a Career Change? Become a Life Insurance Agent
No matter how you go about it, the most important thing is to remember that being a life insurance agent is much more than just a job-it’s a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. So if you’re looking for a career that’s both challenging and rewarding, don’t hesitate to consider becoming a life insurance agent.
SN Agency offers life insurance training that can help you get started. Click here!
If you’re looking for a career that’s both challenging and rewarding, becoming a life insurance agent may be the perfect choice for you. Life insurance agents are essential in helping people protect their families and their futures.
