What It’s Really Like to Be a Life Insurance Agent

Date:May 2, 2023
Time Reading:11 min
Shelden Smollan
Author:Shelden SmollanChief Experience Officer
Shawn Redford
Reviewed by:Shawn RedfordChief Business Development Officer
An insurance agent sitting on couch taking notes in a binder

What Does a Life Insurance Agent Do All Day?

So, What’s It Really Like to Be a Life Insurance Agent?

Let’s be honest, when most people hear the words life insurance agent, their brain immediately jumps to awkward dinner pitches or someone trying to upsell clients. But truthfully, the job is a lot more dynamic (and way less awkward) than people think. If you’ve ever found yourself googling what does a life insurance agent do, you’re definitely not alone.

At Experior Financial Group, being a life insurance agent isn’t just about selling policies. It’s about showing up for people in moments that really matter, when they’re planning their future, protecting their loved ones, or trying to finally make sense of their finances. And yeah, there’s paperwork and phone calls too. But most days, you’re wearing a few different hats: coach, problem-solver, listener, and yes, sometimes even a caffeine-fueled scheduler.

Let’s break it down: what does a day in the life of an insurance agent actually look like?

Well, imagine this. Your morning starts with a hot cup of coffee (essential), a quick scan of your calendar, and a couple of follow-up calls to families you’re helping protect. You might squeeze in a Teams with other Experior Financial agents where you swap strategies, talk wins, and share some laughs. That’s the beauty of our platform, you’re never really going it alone.

On the hardest days, you might be the first call a family makes. You guide them through filing the claim and coordinate with the insurer so the carrier can issue the death-benefit check to the beneficiaries as quickly as possible.

When It Matters Most: Claims Support
When a client passes away, an Experior Financial agent often becomes the point person. You help gather documents, complete claim forms, and liaise with the insurance company. When the claim is approved, the carrier issues the benefit check to the family. It’s a sober responsibility, but it’s also the reason many of us do this work.

Compliance note: Agents support the process; claims decisions and benefit payments are made by the insurance carrier and are subject to policy terms and applicable law.

Next up? A couple of client meetings. You might be helping someone understand how much coverage they need or showing them how Experior’s tools, like our personalized EFA (Experior Financial Analysis), can map out a plan that makes real sense for their goals. That’s where the heart of the work lives.

What do Insurance Agents Do?

So yeah, if you’re wondering what does an insurance agent do on a daily basis, it’s a mix of client consultations, strategy, and a healthy dose of real-life conversation. Add in a little admin, some learning (because the industry’s always changing), and maybe a late-night message from a client who just had a baby or bought a house, and suddenly, it’s not just a job. It’s a relationship-based career.

Daily Activity of a Life Insurance Agent

Now, for those wondering about the insurance agent’s daily schedule, the answer is: flexible. That’s a major draw. At Experior Financial, you’re not punching a clock. Sure, you work hard, but you also get to decide how many hours you work and when. Some agents do 9-to-5. Others prefer evenings and weekends to catch families when they’re free. That flexibility? It’s gold.

And if you’ve been chewing on the idea of a career change, maybe even searching “why should I become an insurance agent,” here’s a reminder: you don’t need to be a born salesperson. You just need to care. The role of a life insurance agent is about helping others feel confident about their future. It’s about being there when life takes a turn, and having the tools and knowledge to guide people through it.

Still wondering if the role of life insurance agent is for you? Let’s talk about growth. A lot of people are curious about how to be a successful insurance agent or how to join the ranks of successful life insurance agents. At Experior Financial, success doesn’t come from being flashy or pushy. It comes from consistency, mentorship, and using tools like our Experior Financial Analysis (EFA) to create real value.

Independent, But Supported

We’ve seen new agents with no background in finance totally crush it, simply because they stayed coachable and put people first. You want to be a licensed life insurance agent? Start with being a good person. The rest comes.

Now, we’d be lying if we said every day is a breeze. Some days, the phone doesn’t stop ringing. Other days, people cancel. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll learn a ton. But if you’re someone who enjoys talking to people, solving real problems, and making a difference? This independent insurance agent role might just feel like home.

And if you’ve ever wondered what it is like being an insurance agent, here’s your answer: it’s rewarding, it’s challenging, and, if you do it right, it’s deeply fulfilling.

So whether you’re picturing your future as a life insurance representative, exploring a life as an insurance broker, or just wondering about the duties of a life insurance agent, this path offers more than a paycheck. It offers purpose.

Want to learn more about the life of an insurance agent with Experior Financial Group? Explore how our company, one of the fastest growing IMO’s supports agents with training, mentorship, and tools to build a business you’re proud of.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just start with curiosity, and maybe a good cup of coffee.

FAQ - Frequently Asking Questions About Life Insurance

A good job description for agents typically includes responsibilities such as prospecting for potential clients, identifying their insurance needs, developing and presenting customized insurance plans, and maintaining ongoing relationships with clients to ensure their satisfaction. Other key duties may include conducting insurance policy reviews, processing claims, and staying up-to-date with industry regulations and developments.

Experior Financial Group is an Independent Marketing Organization (IMO) that provides a unique opportunity and assistance for independent insurance agents in the USA. It offers a wide range of insurance services and products, financial education resources, business-building workshops, and incentive programs for its agents.

As an independent agent with Experior Financial Group, you have the freedom to run your own business, make your own decisions, and serve your clients’ best interests without the constraints of a traditional insurance agency. You also have access to the tools, resources, and mentorship you need to elevate your career and reach your full potential with access to many product partners and services for your clients.

Experior Financial Group offers a wide range of insurance products tailored to fit your clients’ needs. You can find products like Term Life Insurance, Permanent Life Insurance, Long-term Care Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Disability Insurance, debt solutions and much more.

The primary job of an insurance agent is to help people obtain life insurance policies. They explain various options available and help clients choose life insurance coverage that fits their needs and budget. An insurance agents must be licensed by each state in which they sell insurance policies and are subject to the regulations in each of those states.

To become an agent with Experior Financial Group, you need to meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years old
Have a valid Social Security number
Pass a background check
Complete pre-licensing education and pass a state exam
Join Experior Financial Group as an associate
Complete training and mentoring programs
Start building your business and serving your clients

You can contact Experior Financial Group by visiting our website, or calling our toll-free number 1-888-909-0696.  You can also find our location at 300 Airborne Pkwy, Suite 210 Cheektowaga, NY, 14225.

An independent marketing organization (IMO) is a type of business that sells life insurance products and other financial services in the USA. An IMO works with different insurance carriers and contracts with them to offer their products to customers. An IMO also recruits and supports other agencies or groups of agents who sell insurance products under the IMO’s umbrella. An IMO provides various benefits to its agents, such as marketing, training, incentives, and access to multiple carriers.

Shelden Smollan
Shelden Smollan
Chief Experience Officer

Shelden Smollan is the Chief Experience Officer at Experior Financial Group Inc., a role he has held since 2017. With over 30 years of leadership experience in the Canadian insurance industry, Shelden has dedicated his career to delivering exceptional client experiences, empowering advisors, and driving innovation.

His journey began in 1994, when he launched and managed a new insurance agency at London Drugs Insurance Services. He later served as Regional Sales Manager at Assumption Life for over a decade, simplifying processes and exceeding service expectations. As Vice President of Distribution at Insurance Supermarket Inc., he partnered with brokers nationwide to introduce innovative market solutions and streamline operations.

At Experior, Shelden’s mission is to ensure every client interaction reflects the company’s commitment to service excellence. He is a recognized industry leader with a strong focus on relationship management and providing insurance solutions for all clients, including those who are traditionally hard to insure.

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