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Life insurance agent vs insurance broker

The differences between life insurance agents and insurance brokers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an insurance broker has an average salary of $94,006, which is higher than the $62,552 average annual salary of a life insurance agent.

The top three skills for a life insurance agent include health insurance, life insurance license and life insurance sales. The most important skills for an insurance broker are customer service, life insurance products, and lead generation.

Life insurance agent vs insurance broker overview

Life Insurance AgentInsurance Broker
Yearly salary$62,552$94,006
Hourly rate$30.07$45.20
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs68,78138,403
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does a life insurance agent do?

A life insurance agent is responsible for offering life insurance services for clients according to their needs and qualifications. Life insurance agents handle insurance claims of the beneficiaries, ensuring the accuracy of documents and account statements for verification. They also discuss possible options and alternatives, as well as considering the clients' long-term financial goals and objectives. A life insurance agent must be well-knowledgeable of the insurance services offered by the company, discussing policies and coverage to suit the clients' best interests.

What does an insurance broker do?

Insurance brokers are responsible for assisting clients to determine their liability risks and in selecting the appropriate policies for their family, home, business, or automobile to ensure their protection. They direct clients in creating a sound decision and supply them with a variety of quotes that best suit their needs. Their duties include demonstrating the benefits, terms, conditions, and suspension for a number of participating insurance policies. Also, they may negotiate lesser rates for their clients and continue in guiding these clients in technical issues like filing a claim or changing their insurance coverage.

Life insurance agent vs insurance broker salary

Life insurance agents and insurance brokers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Life Insurance AgentInsurance Broker
Average salary$62,552$94,006
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $99,000Between $62,000 And $141,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKBirmingham, AL
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyAIGLiberty Mutual Insurance
Best paying industryInsuranceInsurance

Differences between life insurance agent and insurance broker education

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

Life Insurance AgentInsurance Broker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Life insurance agent vs insurance broker demographics

Here are the differences between life insurance agents' and insurance brokers' demographics:

Life Insurance AgentInsurance Broker
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 53.7% Female, 46.3%Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between life insurance agent and insurance broker duties and responsibilities

Life insurance agent example responsibilities.

  • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
  • License in state of VA to sell life insurance, annuities, disability income, Medicare supplements, and LTC.
  • Use of a variety of tools to help employers compile the best possible life insurance or annuity packages to retain employees.
  • Market life insurance and annuity products
  • Maintain knowledge of states insurance laws and HIPPA compliance.
  • Examine doors, windows and gates to ensure that they are secure.
  • Show more

Insurance broker example responsibilities.

  • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
  • Work as an independent financial planner selling life insurance and annuities to individuals and families
  • Facilitate communications between doctors, hospitals, third party insurance companies and patients to obtain and verify patient billing information.
  • Deliver on the GEICO promise to customers by solving problems and giving competent insurance advice in a courteous and proficient manner.

Life insurance agent vs insurance broker skills

Common life insurance agent skills
  • Health Insurance, 24%
  • Life Insurance License, 16%
  • Life Insurance Sales, 14%
  • Work Ethic, 10%
  • Lead Generation, 8%
  • Develop Leads, 5%
Common insurance broker skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Life Insurance Products, 8%
  • Lead Generation, 8%
  • Financial Resources, 8%
  • Annuities, 8%
  • Insurance Carriers, 6%