Home-based insurance agent (appointed rep)
Arrange home, motor or business insurance for local clients under an authorised network, working from home and earning commission.
- £500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
8,071 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 66220 “Activities of insurance agents and brokers”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You advise on and arrange insurance such as home, motor, landlord or small business cover. You work as an appointed representative of an already authorised broker or network. That means you can usually avoid applying for your own regulatory authorisation, and the network provides compliance support, access to insurers and a quoting system.
Your first three steps
- Research appointed representative networks and compare their fees, commission splits, support and the types of insurance they cover
- Choose a niche, such as landlords, tradespeople or van drivers, and start building a list of people and groups you could reach
- Speak to two or three networks about how onboarding works and which entry-level insurance qualifications they expect from you
Who pays
Insurers and brokers pay commission on policies you arrange. Some agents also charge clients a fee. Your clients are individuals, landlords, self-employed people and small businesses, often reached through your own network.
How it makes money
Commission on each new policy and on renewals, plus any adviser fees you are allowed to charge. Income starts small and builds as renewals accumulate. The network usually takes a share or charges fees.
Skills that help
- Explaining complicated products in plain language
- Sales and relationship building
- Careful record keeping and attention to detail
- Willingness to study for insurance qualifications
Watch out for
- Selling insurance is generally a regulated activity, so check with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and your chosen network what you need before you advise anyone
- Check the network's fees, minimum targets and how long it takes to be approved, as these vary a lot
- Commission can be slow to build and may be clawed back if clients cancel, so plan your cash flow
- Treat customers fairly and keep proper records, because the network and regulator expect high standards
- Check data protection registration and whether you can run the business from home under your lease or mortgage
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: home-based insurance agent (appointed rep)
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to become an insurance agent working from home?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on the network's fees and any qualifications you study for. Check the network's fees, minimum targets and how long approval takes, as these vary a lot.
How much can a home-based insurance agent earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £3,000, depending on how many policies you arrange. Commission can be slow to build and may be clawed back if clients cancel, so plan your cash flow.
What rules should I check before selling insurance?
Selling insurance is generally a regulated activity, so check with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and your chosen network what you need before advising anyone. Also check data protection registration and whether your lease or mortgage allows you to run the business from home.
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