Local health insurance agency office

Insurance companies pay commission on enrollments. Clients generally do not pay a fee for your advice, though check what your state allows.

Commission on new enrollments and renewals across several insurers. Adding agents can raise volume but also adds payroll, training and compliance work.

• Licensed insurance knowledge
• Sales and relationship building
• Managing people and processes
• Local marketing

• A state insurance license is required for you and any agent who sells, and agency licensing may also apply, so check your state's rules
• Errors and omissions and general liability insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Lease commitments while commission income is slow to build
• Clients' personal and health data needs careful, secure handling, so check privacy rules that apply to you
• Marketing rules for Medicare and health plans are strict, so check federal and state requirements
• Commission can be uneven and may be clawed back if clients cancel

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your office space, furnishing, insurance and how many agents you plan to add. These are estimates, and lease commitments matter while commission income builds slowly.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many clients you enroll, your plan mix and how many agents work with you. These are estimates, and commission can be uneven or clawed back if clients cancel.

A state insurance license is required for you and any agent who sells, and agency licensing may also apply, so check your state's rules. Also check privacy rules for clients' health data and federal and state marketing requirements for Medicare and health plans.