To be a good insurance agent, you need to earn the trust and respect of your clients and your community. Of course, you need in-depth knowledge of the products, services and plans you offer and the ways they can meet your clients’ needs. But there’s more to it than that. Interpersonal skills, or soft skills, are crucial to the skills of an insurance agent. Here are some of the most important ones.
Soft Skill 1: Communication Skills
Insurance policies aren’t just financial transactions. They can represent important aspects of your clients’ lives. When a client buys life insurance, they may imagine not being there to see their children grow up. When a client adds a young driver to an auto insurance policy, they may think of the day, not so far in the future, when their family doesn’t all live under the same roof.
Your clients will share personal information and discuss important life topics with you. You’ll need strong communication skills to navigate these conversations with empathy, understanding and compassion.
Soft Skill 2: Reliability
What makes a good insurance agent? Reliability is at the top of the list. Reliability is the cornerstone of trust. You need to be reliable in small, everyday acts, like replying to emails, returning phone calls, being on time for appointments and answering questions quickly. Those actions show your clients they can count on you.
Reliability also comes into play when clients need you most — when an accident or natural disaster happens, they will need your help. That might not always fit into a 9-to-5 day, so you’ll need to be on-call and ready to go whenever a client reaches out.
Soft Skill 3: Motivation
You might think of motivation as part of insurance agent skills. But it’s not just about your desire to close deals, it’s also about being passionate about what you do every day. It’s bringing the energy and enthusiasm needed to find members the best coverage, prospect for new clients, learn the nuances of different policies and stay upbeat during slow business spells.
When you’re motivated, energized and passionate, your clients will notice. They will recognize the work you’re putting in to make sure they have the coverage they need at the best price, and you’ll forge long-term relationships.
Soft Skill 4: Sincerity
Sincerity is the building block to earning repeat business. You might close a sale if you leave out details or distort the facts, but that strategy will only backfire in the long run. Clients can tell when you’re being genuine and when you’re “selling.”
It’s better to be upfront about options and truthful about the pros and cons of the plans you’re presenting. You’ll grow strong relationships when you truly care about your clients’ outcomes, consider their needs and make decisions with their best interests in mind.
Soft Skill 5: Discipline
As an insurance agent, you’re your own boss. That means you’re in control of your schedule, your workflow and your success. Without a time clock to punch or a boss to report to, you need the self-discipline to manage your time, organize logistics, maintain your schedule and be accountable to yourself and your clients.
Soft Skill 6: Determination
As a small business owner, it’s normal to have successes and failures. If you don’t close a sale or if you struggle to find prospects, you may feel dejected. You’ll need to pull from your reserves and count on your determination, so the low points don’t get you down for long. Determination helps you remember that every “no” gets you one step closer to “yes.”
Are You Ready to Explore the Agent Opportunity?
Good insurance agents use these soft skills to connect with their clients and communities, manage their small businesses and build their income. If these insurance agent skills sound like traits you have, working as an insurance agent may be a great fit. Contact us today to learn more the agent opportunity!