Can You Be a Remote Life Insurance Agent From Home?

Remote work still means real work. Many remote agents are independent contractors rather than employees, so ask which one you would be. Here is what the job usually takes.

• A resident license in your home state. You apply through your state department of insurance, often through NIPR.
• Non-resident licenses for other states. If you sell to a client in another state, you generally need to be licensed there too.
• An appointment with each carrier you sell for. A license lets you sell insurance. An appointment lets you sell for a given carrier. Timing varies by carrier, so ask when yours happens and whether any fee comes out of your first commission.
• Phone and video meetings. You learn what the person needs, explain the options and make a recommendation on a call, then follow up.
• E-applications. You complete applications on screen with the client and record their answers and consent.
• A CRM and good records. Notes on every client and every call, so you can follow up and show what you did.
• Calling rules. Federal and state calling and texting rules can apply, including the TCPA and the National Do Not Call Registry.

Start with the resident license in the state where you live. Then add each other state through its non-resident process. A non-resident is an agent who is licensed as a resident in one state and is seeking a license in another. NIPR hosts the non-resident application and lists each state's requirements.

Rules and fees change, so check the state page on the day you apply, not a blog post, including this one. Sell only in states where you are licensed and appointed, and keep each license in good standing, including continuing education as the state requires. Your National Producer Number (NPN) is a nationwide ID that follows you across states.

A company can train you and support you. It cannot hold your license for you. These duties stay with you, whoever you work with.

• Your license and renewals, in every state where you sell.
• Selling only where you are licensed and appointed.
• Honest recommendations that fit the client's real needs and budget.
• Accurate applications. Never guess, and never fill in an answer for the client.
• Errors and omissions (E&O) coverage. Ask whether a carrier or organization requires it and who pays.
• Client privacy. Protect health and financial details on your own phone and computer.
• Your costs and taxes. Independent contractors usually pay their own business costs and taxes, so talk to a tax professional.
• Any debt you take on, such as advances, chargebacks or leads. See our guide on leads and chargebacks.

Many remote offers are not scams but are still a bad fit, because the costs and terms were never clear. Use this table on any organization.

Working alone is the hardest part of working from home. Look for support you can reach without being in the same room.

• A leader or mentor you can reach by phone or video, who still sells.
• A peer group that meets on a schedule.
• A contracting and back-office team that handles carrier appointments and paperwork.
• A CRM and training you can use from home.

Ask how a remote agent reaches a real person, and how fast. Then test it: call the number, join a live call, and see who answers. Ask to speak with an agent who works remotely. A vague answer tells you what year one will feel like.