Qualities of a Good Insurance Agent

Have you always thought of becoming an insurance agent? It can be a highly rewarding career choice for those that are willing to put in the work. Apart from the educational qualifications, there are some key qualities that you also need to possess in order to be successful. It’s not easy trying to convince people to buy insurance. Rejection will be part of your daily routine. The sooner you get used to it, the easier life will be for you. Here are some of the key qualities that will make you stand out from other insurance agents.

People Skills

The needs of the client should always come first in everything that you do. You shouldn’t be one of those agents that is only interested in earning a commission. Having people skills means that you can listen to the needs and concerns of the client instead of just trying to shove a product down their throats. This insurance agent says that it’s better to get clients a product that fits their specific requirements even if it will mean earning a lower commission. There is a high chance of referrals and repeat business from the same client.

Excellent Customer Service

Customers want to work with an insurance agent that will be available when needed. Sometimes the solution is as easy as picking up the phone. Don’t try to sell the potential customer before understanding their particular situation. Your word should be your bond as people value reliability. Speak up whenever there is an issue that needs to be addressed even if it will not be comfortable for you or the client.

Product Knowledge

You must have a thorough understanding of the insurance products that you’re selling. There are insurance agents that will recommend products even without knowing what they entail or how they stand to benefit the customer. Your clients will come to you looking for a solution. They want a range of products so that they’re able to identify the one that ticks all the boxes. It’s your responsibility as the agent to guide the customer through the selection process.

Perseverance

As we’ve already mentioned, rejection is part and parcel of the job. If you can’t stomach someone telling you NO, there is no reason why you should be in the business in the first place. Things will be challenging when starting out. That’s why it’s recommended that you get a mentor to learn the ropes. You also need to have a thick skin as you’ll meet all kinds of people with some willing to go out of their way just to frustrate you. You need to love what you do in order to be committed to honing your craft. High energy is required as you’ll be meeting different types of people almost on a daily basis. Those agents that are passionate about the career are products that they sell are more likely to be successful.

Good Business Understanding

You should not only think of yourself as a sales agent but also as a business person. Agents that have business experience will have an action-oriented approach when dealing with clients. They’re more about selling solutions instead of products. They also approach their entire operations as a business would and that is by creating value for the clients that they serve.

Emotional Intelligence

You should not only listen but empathize with the client. This is something that isn’t taught in school but it is a skill you’ll want to develop early on in your career. You should be able to help the client to have an honest and clear view of their financial reality.

Honest

An insurance agent that is dishonest in his or her dealing is not likely to last long in the profession. The lies will catch up pretty quickly and there is no client that will want to work with an agent with a stained reputation. Telling the truth is an admirable trait. It will not only win your clients but will ensure that you’re keeping them for the long-term.

The Bottom Line

These are just some of the key qualities that an insurance agent should possess. The insurance business can be challenging and highly rewarding at the same time. Taking a customer-first approach is one way of ensuring that you’ll succeed in your career. It’s also important that you’re keeping your knowledge current as things move fast and clients will always demand the best when it comes to service delivery optimized experiences when looking for insurance products.