Insurance sales agents help individuals, families, and businesses select insurance policies that provide the best protection for their lives, health, and property. Those who work exclusively for one insurance company are called captive agents. Independent insurance agents, or brokers, represent several companies. Insurance sales agents sell one or more types of insurance, such as property and casualty, life, health, disability, and long-term care.

For insurance agency jobs, most companies and independent agencies prefer to hire college graduates, particularly those who have majored in business or economics. A few hire high school graduates with proven sales ability or who have been successful in other types of work. Many colleges and universities offer courses in insurance, and a few schools offer a bachelor`s degree in insurance.

Insurance sales agents must obtain a license in the states where they plan to sell insurance. Separate licenses are required for agents to sell life and health insurance and property and casualty insurance. In most states, licenses are issued only to applicants who complete specified pre-licensing courses and pass state examinations covering insurance fundamentals and state insurance laws.

On a typical day an insurance sales agent might perform some of the following duties: