Are you ready to start your own business and become an agent? Working as an insurance agent is a role where you can connect with your community, help your friends and family get the protection they need, and have unlimited earning potential.
Here are five facts many people don’t know about working in the insurance industry. Knowing them can help you go into the field with the right expectations and start off strong.
1. Your Success Is in Your Hands
There’s a core truth about working in the insurance business: You get back what you put in. As an insurance agent, you are your own boss. You set your own hours, and you’re responsible for growing your business how you want. The flexibility and entrepreneurship that come with being an agent are why working in the insurance industry is so fulfilling for many insurance professionals.
If you feel as though you’re not a self-starter, working for an insurance company may be a better way to see if you are interested in the field. At Farm Bureau, you have the opportunity to begin as a sales associate. This way, you can learn about the insurance industry before you commit to becoming an agent.
2. You Don’t Have to Go It Alone
Even if you are your own boss, it doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. At Farm Bureau, we take pride in providing our agents with the resources and support they will need to succeed in the industry.
On-the-job training starts from day one with the Developing Agent Program. This practical, hands-on learning combines classroom sessions, online training and mentoring to help you learn about insurance sales, how to sell yourself and your services and the ways you can set yourself apart from other insurance sales agents.
Along the way, you’ll have sales and marketing support, as well as access to other resources to help you grow your new business.
3. No Two Days Look the Same
There are some common misconceptions about working in insurance. Maybe you picture an aggressive salesperson trying to bank as many accounts as possible or a fried desk worker clocking in for a day of drudgery at 9 a.m. Those stereotypes couldn’t be further from the truth. As an insurance agent, you are truly your own boss. You set your schedule, develop your book of clients and build a rewarding and profitable future.
Some days, you’ll be out in the field meeting with clients. You might sit down with a young couple and help them understand their life insurance needs or even talk to a farmer about crop protection. Other days, you’ll be at your desk, putting together paperwork, scheduling meetings with prospective clients or following up on emails.
At other times, you may be living your life while your business runs itself. Farm Bureau agents are parents, coaches, athletes, volunteers and more, and they appreciate having schedules that are in their control. They can make time for work and for the other things they value in life.
4. Your Previous Skills Have a Home Here
What skills do you need to work in insurance? To start, you should have a passion for helping people. It’s your job to get to know your clients, discover what they need and set them up for success.
The insurance industry attracts a wide range of professionals, including those from agricultural fields. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to grow your own business from the ground up, that’s a great starting point for getting into insurance work.
Sales, organization, customer service, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, attention to detail, emotional intelligence — all these traits can translate to success in insurance sales.
People with diverse backgrounds like military, real estate and teaching thrive in their work as insurance agents. Some people find success early — they start working at Farm Bureau early in their professional journey , some even right after graduating from college.
5. You’ll Earn a Great Living
As an agent, the money you earn is based on what you sell, not how much time you spend working. Additionally, you’re serving clients in several areas, including auto, home and life insurance as well as annuities. Because of this, your earning potential with Farm Bureau is much higher than it would be in an average commission-based position.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At Farm Bureau, we stand behind our insurance agents, giving them the tools and training they need to thrive. Find out more about what working in insurance sales could be like and how it could work for you.