Sales Representative - Insurance
Overview
Insurance Sales Representatives help individuals and businesses protect their assets and financial futures by assessing risks, recommending appropriate insurance products, and providing ongoing policy management and claims support.
- 1Assess client needs through comprehensive financial needs analysis
- 2Recommend suitable insurance products (life, short-term, health, investment)
- 3Explain policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and premium structures
- 4Process insurance applications and underwriting requirements
- 5Maintain compliance with FAIS Act and regulatory requirements
- 6Build client portfolios through referrals and prospecting activities
- 7Conduct annual policy reviews and adjust coverage as needed
- 8Assist clients with claims processes and documentation
- 9Cross-sell and upsell additional products to existing clients
- 10Maintain required CPD (Continuous Professional Development) points
- 11Achieve monthly premium income and new business targets
- 12Stay informed on regulatory changes and product updates
Education
Matric/Grade 12; Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or Economics preferred
Experience
1-3 years sales or financial services experience
Skills
- ✓Needs-based selling and consultative approach
- ✓Financial literacy and risk assessment
- ✓Regulatory compliance knowledge (FAIS, FICA, POPIA)
- ✓Long-term relationship building
- ✓Objection handling and trust development
- ✓Product knowledge across insurance categories
- ✓Claims advocacy and client support
- ✓Professional ethics and integrity
Setting
Office-based or work-from-home with client visits and meetings
Hours
Flexible to accommodate client schedules; evening meetings common
Travel
20-40% depending on territory and client base
Physical Demands
Minimal - primarily consultative and administrative
Salary Range
R8,000 - R18,000 base salary (junior to senior)
Structure
Base plus commission on new business and renewal income; top advisors earn R50k-R150k monthly
Benefits
Medical aid, retirement annuity, laptop, smartphone, performance bonuses
Challenges
- •Building trust in a historically distrusted industry
- •Complex regulatory compliance and documentation
- •Long sales cycles requiring multiple client touchpoints
- •Income volatility for commission-based roles
Opportunities
- •Residual income from policy renewals creating passive income
- •Career progression to branch management or agency principal
- •Specialization in high-net-worth or commercial insurance
- •Building transferable client books with significant value
Industry Trends
- •Digital quotation and policy management platforms
- •Embedded insurance and alternative distribution channels
- •Increased focus on financial wellness and holistic planning
- •Usage-based insurance models (especially short-term)