An Insurance Sales Agent sells life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance to individuals and businesses.  They help families and businesses weigh the benefits vs. costs of protecting their assets. As part of the insurance sales process, they may refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

A Typical Day

  • Customize insurance programs to suit individual customers, often covering a variety of risks.
  • Sell various types of insurance policies to businesses and individuals on behalf of insurance companies, including automobile, fire, life, property, medical and dental insurance, or specialized policies, such as marine, farm/crop, and medical malpractice.
  • Explain features, advantages, and disadvantages of various policies to promote sale of insurance plans with the use of financial analysis software.
  • Perform administrative tasks, such as maintaining records and handling policy renewals.
  • Seek out new clients and develop clientele by networking to find new customers and generate lists of prospective clients.
 

Recommended Credentials

Insurance License

Education & Training

Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.

 

Elsewhere in Michigan

 

Ferris State University
- B.S. Risk Management and Insurance

Northern Michigan University
- B.S. Insurance and Risk Management

Michigan State University, Dept of Finance
- B.S. Minor in Insurance and Risk Management

Explore This Career

Try it before you buy it!

Do you like helping others figure out buying decisions? Do you handle rejection well? Try a people-facing retail sales position to see if that experience energizes or drains you!

The Local Advantage Learning Pathway

Pathway 1

Take business classes such as accounting or personal finance. Join a finance-related club, such as an investment club.

Enroll in your Career Tech Center Business Management Administration program
- Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center

- Northwest Education Services Career Tech

Pathway 2

Northwestern Michigan College
- Business Administration Associate's Degree (articulates to Ferris, Northwood and Kaplan Universities)

 

Sample Employers in Our Region

Click the logos below to learn more.

TIP

Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.

 

Sample Job Titles...

Insurance Agent
Insurance Broker
Risk Advisor
Sales Associate
Sales Representative
Underwriting Sales Representative

 

10-Year Job Growth Projections

17.5%
10-County Region
8%
Michigan
6%
U.S.

Employed Regionally

730
In 2021 (10-County Region)

Wage Range & Median 10-County Region

$28,040
$58,480 
$97,860

Annual Hires Regionally

50
In 2021