Laura Hero

7 Reasons to Become an Insurance Agent in Illinois

Written by Laura Adams, MBA

If you’re an Illinois resident or relocating to the Prairie State, it’s an excellent time to consider careers with high income potentialPre License How Much Insurance Agents Make Illinois Resources, such as becoming an insurance agent. Great agents often come from diverse backgrounds, including sales in other industries, hospitality, and education.

I’ll review seven reasons why becoming an insurance agent in Illinois could pay off right now, especially with uncertainty about inflation and unemployment. Starting a stable, high-paying career that doesn’t require an expensive four-year college degree may be an opportunity that’s just too good to pass up.

Here are seven reasons to become licensed to sell insurance in Illinois.

1. High income potential.

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Insurance agents earn income in different ways, depending on the products they sell and the companies they represent. However, insurance compensation typically centers around commissions.

There are two primary types of insurance agents, captive and independent, which have different income models. A captive agent works exclusively for a single carrier, such as State Farm or Allstate, and often earns a base salary plus commissions and potential bonuses.

An independent agent works for an independent firm or is self-employed, with an income that can be 100% commission. They represent multiple insurers, offering clients a wider range of products and pricing options.

Insurance agents in IllinoisPre License Career Opportunities Insurance Producers Illinois Resources earn from $70,000 to $90,000 on average. Top industry performers in the state make well over $100,000 through insurance commissions and policy renewals.

Your income can vary based on where you live, your selling skills, and a company’s pay structure, which could include a salary, commissions, or a combination of both. Additionally, as you build a client base, you establish a steady source of recurring revenue, giving you financial stability. 

Your earnings as an agent are primarily dependent on your personality traits, like self-discipline, a love of learning, and resilience. If you build a large customer base, demonstrate product expertise, and enjoy helping people, your insurance earning potential is uncapped.

2. Industry resilience.

Few careers are as stable and resilient as insurance because there’s an ever-growing demand for products that protect individuals, families, and business owners in Illinois. Insurance is one of the few industries that’s essential no matter what happens in the economy.

For instance, in good times, consumers purchase more insurance, and in slower periods, they shop for lower-priced options, creating opportunities either way. Licensed agents educate and guide consumers through the complexities of risk protection.

Some products are required by law, such as workers' compensation and auto insurance. Mortgage lenders require borrowers to purchase homeowners insurance, and many landlords require tenants to have a renters policy.

Consumers need many types of insurance to protect their finances, such as health, disability, life, and business policies. That's why during economic downturns, insurance is one of the last expenses policyholders cut, providing opportunities and security for insurance firms and agents.

3. Strong demand.

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Regardless of whether you live in an Illinois city, suburb, or the countryside, there are plenty of insurance opportunitiesPre License Types Insurance Producer Can Sell Illinois Resources. For instance, if you’re in Chicago, personal insurance will be more competitive; however, there will also be a high demand for commercial lines.

If you work in the Naperville and Aurora suburban areas, there’s a strong demand for family-focused products like home, life, and health insurance. A town like Rockford will have fewer insurance agents, allowing you more room to build long-term relationships with loyal clients.

In Champaign and Urbana, there are many young professionals and a university population, with a huge opportunity to sell products like auto, renters, and health insurance. Springfield is home to many workers in the public and healthcare sectors, offering a stable and long-term client base. In other words, no matter where you live and work in Illinois insurance, there’s a terrific opportunity.

4. Work flexibility.

A significant benefit of becoming a licensed insurance agent is having a flexible career path. You could start as a captive agent with a larger company, and later decide to move to a smaller independent agency.

Many insurance agents work part-time as they build their client base or are ready to transition to full-time work. That allows you to switch careers without experiencing a decline in income.

If you’ve dreamed of owning your own business, you can become an insurance entrepreneur by opening your own office. You might create a brand that you can eventually sell or pass on to family, establishing a legacy in your community.

5. Results-based.

If you’re a self-starter, you can thrive in a commission-based job, such as insurance, that pays based on results. For instance, if you enjoy learning, helping people, and delivering exceptional service, you could have a successful career in the industry.

You might be surprised that successful insurance agents are often skilled communicators with the ability to make complex topics easy to understand. When a potential client is clear about the benefits of various policies, they’re more likely to buy them from you.

6. Career expertise.

Illinois residents will always need various types of insurance, including auto, home, health, life, and business, regardless of economic conditions. As an agent, you’ll be a trusted advisor who helps individuals, families, and businesses protect their most valuable assets, recover from disasters and losses, and secure their financial futures.

As the insurance industry evolves, you must adapt to new regulations, products, and technology. That provides an environment where you can keep learning, developing your skills, and counseling your clients. 

7. Low barriers to entry.

As I mentioned, you don't need an expensive four-year degree to become a licensed insurance agent in Illinois. You can get licensedPre License How To Get Your Insurance License In Illinois Resources in as little as a few weeks by completing a pre-licensing course and passing a state exam, which costs a fraction of most educational programs or business ventures.

You can start your insurance licence today at Aceable Insurance, which is entirely online for Illinois residents. The process is mobile-first, easy to follow, and fully state-approved. That means you can study anytime, anywhere, and move your career forward with confidence. 

Many agents get licensed in weeks, not months or even years. That allows you to start earning commissions right away and set yourself up for future success with policy renewals. You’ll also have the opportunity to cross-sell additional products as your clients need them.

How to become an insurance agent in Illinois

Just like other state-certified professions, such as the real estate and mortgage industries, getting an insurance license takes effort. Often, successfully passing the state exam on your first try depends on completing the proper preparation, such as a pre-licensing course.

Since Aceable's Illinois pre-licensing educationIllinois Insurance License Navigation Link is mobile-friendly, it's convenient for you to study at your own pace anytime and from anywhere. If you want to proceed quickly, you can get started today. Once you complete the online pre-licensing course, you must pass a state exam.

You can begin searching for an insurance job as soon as you're ready, even before you’re fully licensed. However, you can't sell products until you obtain your license. Your employment may be contingent upon obtaining a license within a specified period.

To sum up, insurance is a high-paying career without a degree. By beginning your insurance licensing journey, you can start earning soon and on your schedule. You’ll be working toward a stable future that puts you in control of your career and income.

Laura Hero

About Laura Adams

Laura Adams is an award-winning author, speaker, host of the Money GirlMoney Girl.simplecast.com podcast, and founder of The Money StackWelcome Moneygirl.substack.com newsletter. She was named one of Empower's "Top 50 Women in Personal Finance" and is a frequent source for the national media. Millions benefit from her practical financial advice on topics like insurance, real estate, retirement, and self-employment. Laura’s mission is to empower consumers to make smart money decisions. She received an MBA from the University of Florida and lives in Vero Beach, Florida.

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