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What is an insurance underwriter, sales and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Tom Faulconer JD, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CASL,CFP(r),
Robert Hoyt, Ph.D.

An insurance underwriter is responsible for evaluating and assessing the risks of insuring potential clients and determining appropriate coverage and premiums. They work closely with insurance agents to analyze applications, gather information, and make informed decisions about accepting or rejecting policies. Underwriter salespeople also handle negotiations with clients, providing education on insurance options and tailoring coverage to meet individual needs. They must stay up-to-date on industry trends, regulations, and risk management practices to effectively evaluate risks.

What general advice would you give to an insurance underwriter, sales?

Tom Faulconer JD, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CASL,CFP(r)Tom Faulconer JD, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CASL,CFP(r) LinkedIn profile

Clinical Professor, Butler University

That depends on the type of agent the person is. Most of us deal with agents who sell personal lines, such as auto and home and life insurance. Their day is filled with prospecting for new clients, appointments to review current insurance with current clients, service work such as adding autos and changing addresses, and, helping take and resolve claims. Some agents specialize in commercial lines. They spend their days prospecting as well, but also work very closely with their clients on a regular basis to assure their insurance program is appropriate. This is because commercial clients usually have very large insurance policies, make frequent changes, and have lots of service work. Plus, the relationship is the key in commercial lines.
ScoreInsurance Underwriter, SalesUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $40,226

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.15%

Asian 4.89%

Black or African American 9.34%

Hispanic or Latino 15.98%

Unknown 3.56%

White 66.10%

Gender

female 38.99%

male 61.01%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.9

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an insurance underwriter, sales?

Pros

  • Opportunity for high earning potential through commission

  • Ability to work independently and manage your own schedule

  • Job stability

  • Chance to help individuals and businesses protect themselves financially

  • Ability to work in a variety of industries and sectors

Cons

  • Pressure to meet sales quotas and goals

  • Can be a stressful job due to the importance of accuracy and attention to detail

  • May require long hours and irregular schedules, especially during peak seasons

  • Must stay up-to-date on changing regulations and policies, which can be time-consuming and complex

  • May involve significant paperwork and administrative tasks

Insurance underwriter, sales career paths

Key steps to become an insurance underwriter, sales

  1. Explore insurance underwriter, sales education requirements

    Most common insurance underwriter, sales degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.4 %

    Associate

    18.4 %

    High School Diploma

    11.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific insurance underwriter, sales skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Lead Generation27.41%
    Financial Services12.72%
    Customer Service6.26%
    Sales Process6.03%
    Strong Work Ethic4.64%
  3. Complete relevant insurance underwriter, sales training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New insurance underwriters, sales learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an insurance underwriter, sales based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real insurance underwriter, sales resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming an licensed insurance underwriter, sales usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed insurance underwriter, sales in most of states. 38 states require insurance underwriters, sales to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense url
    Alabama--Licensed Insurance Producer
    ArkansasDegree requiredState exam requiredInsurance Sales Producer (Agent)
    ColoradoSpecific course requiredState exam requiredInsurance Agent
    ConnecticutSpecific course requiredState exam requiredProducer License, Individual
    Delaware-State exam requiredInsurance Agent
  5. Research insurance underwriter, sales duties and responsibilities

    • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
    • Sell life and health insurance, annuities and mutual funds.
    • Facilitate communications between doctors, hospitals, third party insurance companies and patients to obtain and verify patient billing information.
    • License in life, health and annuities.CLU certificate in pension planning.
  6. Prepare your insurance underwriter, sales resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your insurance underwriter, sales resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an insurance underwriter, sales resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable insurance underwriter, sales resume templates

    Build a professional insurance underwriter, sales resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your insurance underwriter, sales resume.
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
    Insurance Underwriter, Sales Resume
  7. Apply for insurance underwriter, sales jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an insurance underwriter, sales job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first insurance underwriter, sales job

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Average insurance underwriter, sales salary

The average insurance underwriter, sales salary in the United States is $40,226 per year or $19 per hour. Insurance underwriter, sales salaries range between $28,000 and $56,000 per year.

Average insurance underwriter, sales salary
$40,226 Yearly
$19.34 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do insurance underwriters, sales rate their job?

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Insurance underwriter, sales reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2024
Pros

Remote work, banking hours and benefits

Cons

High pressure, Toxic work environment when rates increase & people become defensive & scared of layoffs


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

Remote work opportunity

Cons

High pressure environment, constant scrutiny of job performance


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

I was fortunate to start via an underwriting training program with a large insurance company. These are difficult to get into now and companies aren't as committed to training. The training offered me a great overview of the industry & various product lines. This offered me flexibility as I learned new products and specialty programs. I enjoy a 9-5 role, great benefits, good bonuses and travel. You also meet many people with variety of education and professional backgrounds and interests and make great long term friendships. The industry welcomes and needs people with many talents. I've enjoyed working remote and with small teams in the office.

Cons

Industry goes through high & low pricing cycles with, making lots of money or struggling to make budget. This puts direct pressure on underwriters to produce new business in a crowded space promoting the same basic products. I see younger underwriters now with business degrees, advanced degrees & industry certifications promoted quickly with little experience. Underwriting/computer systems are often dated and inefficient. We spend too much time sitting and looking at double monitors with lots of eye strain.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.