3 Habits That Make Starting a Texas Insurance Career More Successful

Starting a new career can feel overwhelming, especially in a field as dynamic and regulated as insurance. Texas, with its booming population and robust real estate and healthcare sectors, offers a massive opportunity for new insurance professionals. Whether you're coming from retail, teaching, or real estate, one truth applies: the agents who thrive don’t just pass the exam; they build momentum with smart habits that help them stand out, stay consistent, and scale their success.

Here are three habits that can make starting your Texas insurance career dramatically more successful and significantly more profitable.

1. Treat Your Career Like a Business from Day One

Too many new agents treat their insurance license like a job application rather than a launchpad. But the agents who build six-figure books of business? They treat insurance like entrepreneurship from the very beginning.

What this looks like:

• Track every lead like a small business tracks inventory.
• Invest in marketing tools like a basic CRM (Customer Relationship Management software) or a digital business card.
• Know your numbers: appointment goals, close ratios, and weekly income targets.

Pro Tip:

Start each week with a 30-minute business planning session. Outline your appointments, lead sources, marketing tactics, and income goal. This habit compounds.

2. Build a Prospecting Habit That Never Stops

New insurance agents often fail because they run out of people to talk to. In a competitive state like Texas, the challenges are real, but the opportunities are even greater.

Habits of top-performing agents:

• Set a daily contact goal (e.g., 10 new conversations per day).
• Use social media as a funnel, not just a billboard. Ask questions. Run polls. Post value-based content.
• Always ask for referrals. It’s awkward at first. Then it becomes income.

Stat Spotlight:

Agents who prospect consistently during their first year earn 2.5x more in years two and three, according to recent industry benchmarks.

Tools to Try:

• Free or low-cost CRM: HubSpot, Zoho.
• Content calendar for Facebook or LinkedIn.
• Networking script for live events and community mixers.

3. Find a Mentor and Model What Works

You can pass the licensing exam solo. But you can’t build a sustainable career alone. One of the fastest ways to shortcut rookie mistakes is to align yourself with someone who’s already doing what you want to do.

The habit:

• Join a mentorship-friendly agency or team that offers training as a standard practice.
• Shadow top producers and ask what they would do differently.
• Attend webinars, join agent communities, and invest in relationships.

Why it’s beneficial in Texas:

Many new agents enter the industry without a clear roadmap. Mentorship helps bridge that gap, particularly when it includes live feedback, product guidance, and effective objection handling.

Common Career Starter Questions Answered

How long does it take to get started as an insurance agent in Texas?

You can obtain a license in as little as 2 weeks. While the state doesn’t require pre-licensing, most students use a prep course like Aceable Insurance to study efficiently.

Is Texas a good state for starting an insurance career?

Absolutely. There are over 31 million residents, with one of the highest rates of homeownership in the United States.

How much do insurance agents make in Texas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual income for insurance agents in Texas is $57,680, with top performers earning $ 100,000 or more, depending on the product type and region.

What kind of insurance license should I get first?

Most agents start with either Life and Health (for products such as term life, health, and annuities) or Property and Casualty (for auto, home, and renters insurance). Aceable offers prep courses for both.

Do I need a degree to sell insurance in Texas?

No. You only need to pass the state exam, complete the fingerprinting process, and submit your application for a license.

Summary: Small Habits = Big Impact

Starting your insurance career in Texas doesn’t require a degree, years of experience, or a massive investment. But it does require focus, discipline, and the right mindset. If you:

• Treat your role like a business from day one
• Build a daily habit around prospecting
• Surround yourself with experienced mentors

You’ll be ahead of 90% of agents who burn out in the first year.