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Insurance underwriter, sales vs insurance agent

The differences between insurance underwriters, sales and insurance agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an insurance agent has an average salary of $51,936, which is higher than the $40,226 average annual salary of an insurance underwriter, sales.

The top three skills for an insurance underwriter, sales include lead generation, financial services and customer service. The most important skills for an insurance agent are customer service, insurance sales, and health insurance.

Insurance underwriter, sales vs insurance agent overview

Insurance Underwriter, SalesInsurance Agent
Yearly salary$40,226$51,936
Hourly rate$19.34$24.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs50,69967,977
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does an insurance underwriter, sales do?

A sales insurance underwriter evaluates new or renewal applications in turn for insurance coverage for companies and individuals. Insurance underwriters analyze insurance proposal risks and identify policy terms. They perform calculations on premiums based on statistical, background, and actuarial information. Several insurance businesses and companies operate graduate schemes that offer to underwrite. Among the necessary skills for this job include communication, decision making, and detail orientation.

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.

Insurance underwriter, sales vs insurance agent salary

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

Insurance Underwriter, SalesInsurance Agent
Average salary$40,226$51,936
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $56,000Between $30,000 And $88,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateWisconsinHawaii
Best paying companyNew York Life InsuranceZ Capital Group
Best paying industryInsuranceFinance

Differences between insurance underwriter, sales and insurance agent education

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

Insurance Underwriter, SalesInsurance Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Insurance underwriter, sales vs insurance agent demographics

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

Insurance Underwriter, SalesInsurance Agent
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 61.0% Female, 39.0%Male, 51.6% Female, 48.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between insurance underwriter, sales and insurance agent duties and responsibilities

Insurance underwriter, sales example 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.
  • Deliver on the GEICO promise to customers by solving problems and giving competent insurance advice in a courteous and proficient manner.

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 underwriter, sales vs insurance agent skills

Common insurance underwriter, sales skills
  • Lead Generation, 27%
  • Financial Services, 13%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Sales Process, 6%
  • Strong Work Ethic, 5%
  • Insurance Carriers, 4%
Common insurance agent skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Insurance Sales, 8%
  • Health Insurance, 6%
  • Life Insurance Products, 6%
  • Financial Resources, 6%
  • Auto Insurance, 5%