Insurance Sales Agents :: Job Description

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Insurance Sales Agents

Careers / Insurance Sales Agents

Summary Description


	Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Account Executive

2.	Account Leader

3.	Account Specialist

4.	Accounts Executive

5.	Agent

6.	Bond Writer

7.	Broker

8.	Burial Agent

9.	Business Account Leader

10.	Compensation Agent

11.	Contact Person

12.	Contact Worker

13.	Customer Service Representative (CSR)

14.	Debit Agent

15.	District Agent

16.	District Sales Coordinator

17.	Enrollment Specialist

18.	Estate Planner

19.	Field Marketing Representative

20.	Field Representative

21.	Field Service Representative

22.	Group Insurance Specialist

23.	Group Leader

24.	Health Insurance Specialist

25.	Home Office Representative

26.	Inside Sales Representative

27.	Insurance Agent

28.	Insurance Broker

29.	Insurance Representative

30.	Insurance Sales Agent

31.	Insurance Salesman

32.	Insurance Salesperson

33.	Insurance Solicitor

34.	Insurance Underwriter, Sales

35.	Life Insurance Agent

36.	Network Contractor

37.	Organizer

38.	Outside Sales Representative

39.	Pension Agent

40.	Placer

41.	Policy Writer, Sales

42.	Representative

43.	Sales Agent

44.	Sales Representative

45.	Sales Specialist

46.	Service Representative

47.	Solicitor

48.	Special Agent, Group Insurance

49.	Special Agent, Insurance

50.	Special Agent, Sales

51.	Underwriter, Selling

52.	Underwriting Sales Representative

Job Tasks

	Call on policyholders to deliver and explain policy, to analyze insurance program and suggest additions or changes, or to change beneficiaries.

	Calculate premiums and establish payment method.

	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.

	Interview prospective clients to obtain data about their financial resources and needs, the physical condition of the person or property to be insured, and to discuss any existing coverage.

	Seek out new clients and develop clientele by networking to find new customers and generate lists of prospective clients.

	Explain features, advantages and disadvantages of various policies to promote sale of insurance plans.

	Contact underwriter and submit forms to obtain binder coverage.

	Ensure that policy requirements are fulfilled, including any necessary medical examinations and the completion of appropriate forms.

	Confer with clients to obtain and provide information when claims are made on a policy.

	Perform administrative tasks, such as maintaining records and handling policy renewals.

	Select company that offers type of coverage requested by client to underwrite policy.

	Inspect property, examining its general condition, type of construction, age, and other characteristics, to decide if it is a good insurance risk.

	Monitor insurance claims to ensure they are settled equitably for both the client and the insurer.

	Develop marketing strategies to compete with other individuals or companies who sell insurance.

	Attend meetings, seminars and programs to learn about new products and services, learn new skills, and receive technical assistance in developing new accounts.

	Install bookkeeping systems and resolve system problems.

	Plan and oversee incorporation of insurance program into bookkeeping system of company.

	Explain necessary bookkeeping requirements for customer to implement and provide group insurance program.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		access media advertising services

		obtain information from individuals

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.


		make decisions

		determine customer needs

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		calculate insurance premiums or awards

		compute financial data

		calculate rates for organization's products or services

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.


		use computers to enter, access or retrieve data

		use word processing or desktop publishing software

		use accounting or bookkeeping software

		install computer programs

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.


		conduct sales presentations

		sell insurance policies

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.


		communicate visually or verbally

		interview customers

		make presentations

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.


		provide customer service

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		maintain records, reports, or files

		fill out business or government forms

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		evaluate degree of financial risk

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		follow contract, property, or insurance laws

		use interpersonal communication techniques

		use marketing techniques

		use knowledge of written communication in sales work

		use telephone communication techniques

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		motivate people

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.


		inspect property

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Insurance Sales Agents
	Most people have their first contact with an insurance company through an insurance sales agent. These workers help individuals, families, and businesses select insurance policies that provide the best protection for their lives, health, and property. Insurance sales agents who work exclusively for one insurance company are referred to as captive agents. Independent insurance agents, or brokers, represent several companies and place insurance policies for their clients with the company that offers the best rate and coverage. In either case, agents prepare reports, maintain records, seek out new clients, and, in the event of a loss, help policyholders settle their insurance claims. Increasingly, some are also offering their clients financial analysis or advice on ways the clients can minimize risk.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Insurance Sales Agents
	Most insurance sales agents are based in small offices, from which they contact clients and provide information on the policies they sell. However, much of their time may be spent outside their offices, traveling locally to meet with clients, close sales, or investigate claims. Agents usually determine their own hours of work and often schedule evening and weekend appointments for the convenience of clients. Although most agents work a 40-hour week, some work 60 hours a week or longer. Commercial sales agents, in particular, may meet with clients during business hours and then spend evenings doing paperwork and preparing presentations to prospective clients.

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Ben Affleck's reformed-alcoholic father became Robert Downey Jr.'s drug rehab counselor.

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