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Insurance agent vs insurance sales representative

The differences between insurance agents and insurance sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an insurance sales representative has an average salary of $61,386, which is higher than the $51,936 average annual salary of an insurance agent.

The top three skills for an insurance agent include customer service, insurance sales and health insurance. The most important skills for an insurance sales representative are customer service, excellent time management, and work ethic.

Insurance agent vs insurance sales representative overview

Insurance AgentInsurance Sales Representative
Yearly salary$51,936$61,386
Hourly rate$24.97$29.51
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs67,977201,879
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does an insurance agent do?

An insurance agent is responsible for inviting potential clients to the insurance company by offering different insurance services. Insurance agents must have a comprehensive knowledge of insurance types to provide the clients with the best insurance option in the market. The insurance agents should evaluate a client's long-term needs and financial goals to create individual packages as the insurance company allowed. An insurance agent also handles policy renewals and keeps customers' insurance files for reference.

What does an insurance sales representative do?

An insurance sales representative is primarily responsible for securing insurance sales by reaching out to clients through calls, correspondence, and even appointments. They are also responsible for gathering client information, discussing and recommending suitable terms, and even providing advice to meet their needs, all while building rapport to ensure customer satisfaction. There are also instances where they have to adjust existing terms, assist in filling out applications, and produce progress reports. Furthermore, it is essential to devise strategies to find new sales opportunities, as most insurance sales representatives must reach a particular sales target.

Insurance agent vs insurance sales representative salary

Insurance agents and insurance sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Insurance AgentInsurance Sales Representative
Average salary$51,936$61,386
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $88,000Between $38,000 And $97,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companyZ Capital GroupFFL Partners
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between insurance agent and insurance sales representative education

There are a few differences between an insurance agent and an insurance sales representative in terms of educational background:

Insurance AgentInsurance Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Insurance agent vs insurance sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between insurance agents' and insurance sales representatives' demographics:

Insurance AgentInsurance Sales Representative
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 51.6% Female, 48.4%Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 4.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between insurance agent and insurance sales representative duties and responsibilities

Insurance agent example responsibilities.

  • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
  • Maintain personal and confidential Medicare & Medicaid customer information following all HIPAA.
  • Follow all applicable HIPPA and privacy regulations.
  • Explain medical plans to Medicare / Medicaid eligible clients to ensure best fit.
  • Identify and solicit sales prospects in agency database and in the general marketplace.
  • Develop productive business relationships with key marketplace players by identifying the right products and services.
  • Show more

Insurance sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
  • Translate and assign diagnosis and medical procedures into CPT, ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes.
  • Lead rep for major payer.
  • Monitor the performance of each account rep.
  • Educate physicians and clinic staff on current ICD 9 and CPT coding regulations.
  • Comply with company policy, procedures, and pertinent laws and regulation such a HIPAA.
  • Show more

Insurance agent vs insurance sales representative skills

Common insurance agent skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Insurance Sales, 8%
  • Health Insurance, 6%
  • Life Insurance Products, 6%
  • Financial Resources, 6%
  • Auto Insurance, 5%
Common insurance sales representative skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Excellent Time Management, 16%
  • Work Ethic, 12%
  • Strong Customer Service, 11%
  • Strong Work Ethic, 11%
  • Lead Generation, 4%