Top 3 Reasons Why People Leave the Insurance Industry (2024)

Compensation, work-life balance and benefits are the most frequently cited reasons for leaving the insurance industry, according to a study by Vertafore.

Of those who leave the insurance industry, the most commonly citedreasons are issues of work-life balance and compensation,according to astudy from Vertaforethat assessed the state of the independent insurance agency workforce over the last four years.

The primary reason iscompensation—nearly 60%of those leaving the industry stated their pay was the primary reason for leaving. Work-life balance followed close behind, factoring into over 50% of responses. Issues related to benefits (33%) placed third while promotions and retirement were the other most frequently mentioned reasons.

The study identified work-life balance and family life, as well as mental stress, as the most recurring themes in reasons for leaving the insurance industry. More than half of respondents said they would leave the industry for abetter work-life balance, 84% indicated that while they would recommend the industry, they find it to be particularly stressful.

However, according to the study, there may be an opportunity amidst the turbulence of the pandemic to alleviate the stress the workforce generally feels.

The last year has brought change to every aspect of life, especially work. Asremote working became the new norm, the study asked respondents how they felt about working from home—yielding interesting results.

Out of all the respondents interviewed in the study, 67% said they would prefer a future with remote work as a permanent feature. Over half of the respondents said they favored a relatively even balance of in-person and remote work, and only 15% said they would prefer a full return to the office. In fact, some are even interested in continuing to work remotely on a full-time basis, with 18% saying they would prefer to remain working from home.

With the less-than-ideal retention numbers in the industry, the study suggests that many find the work-life balance more manageable from home.

The study also attempted to glean some answers to technology questions in the workplace and found that respondents felt strongly about having access to the necessary technological tools. Although the majority of respondents said they felt they had the “necessary tools" to do their job, 1 in 5 said they felt their lack of access to modern tools impacted their ability to be successful.

Jan Alex is an IA contributing reporter.

Top 3 Reasons Why People Leave the Insurance Industry (2024)

FAQs

Top 3 Reasons Why People Leave the Insurance Industry? ›

Main takeaway: Poor communication is a big contributor to customer churn (opens in a new window). Neglecting communication is a mistake a lot of agencies make. One study found that only 44% of clients (opens in a new window) had been in touch with their agent in the past year and a half.

Why do customers leave insurance companies? ›

Main takeaway: Poor communication is a big contributor to customer churn (opens in a new window). Neglecting communication is a mistake a lot of agencies make. One study found that only 44% of clients (opens in a new window) had been in touch with their agent in the past year and a half.

Why is the insurance industry struggling? ›

Declining profitability, increased catastrophe losses, rising loss ratios, increased claims costs, rising reinsurance prices and tightening capacity, lower disposable incomes, and a growing loss of talent from an acceleration of retirements, are all converging on insurers, creating a massive rationale for change.

What is the biggest threat to the insurance industry? ›

As the insurance sector grapples with multifaceted challenges, identifying and understanding these risk factors is the first step in crafting a resilient strategy for the future.
  1. Compliance changes. ...
  2. Cybersecurity threats. ...
  3. Technology changes. ...
  4. Climate change & other environmental factors. ...
  5. Talent shortage. ...
  6. Financial risks.
Mar 21, 2024

Why don't people like insurance companies? ›

No Trust in the Insurance Agent or Insurance Company

Some are just paranoid, but others have had past experiences that justify their lack of trust. Whether it has been lack of service from their agent or not being treated fairly on a claim, bad experiences can put a very negative light on the insurance industry.

What is the #1 reason why customers quit? ›

Though you can count the reasons why your customers leave on the fingers of one hand, the major cause is but one — poor customer service. Think you have what it takes to service your customers with the best of them?

Why do customers switch insurance companies? ›

Oftentimes, consumers are motivated to review their policies due to rising costs, insufficient coverage, or unsatisfactory customer service. Some people prefer to migrate to companies where all their needs are met under one roof. On occasion, a policyholder may have lost confidence in their service provider.

What are the three biggest issues facing the insurance industry? ›

Research shows that inflation , digital transformation and climate change stands out as the top 3 of the biggest challenges of the Insurance industry in 2023.

What is going on with the insurance industry? ›

Insurance policy costs have gone up steadily every year, from just over $1,000 in 2015 to almost $1,500 in 2021. "I think the home insurance industry is abandoning Californians who have diligently paid their premiums for decades," said Carmen Balber with Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group.

What is affecting the insurance industry? ›

The business of insurance, which once was stable and predictable, isn't that way anymore. Growth without sacrificing profitability is challenging, climate change is irrevocably impacting certain risk profiles, distribution needs have become truly omnichannel and customers expect products tailored just for them.

What are the challenges facing the insurance industry in 2024? ›

Attracting and retaining top talent remains a persistent challenge for insurers. As the industry undergoes digital transformation, there is a growing need for skilled professionals in data analytics, cybersecurity and emerging technologies, creating intense competition for qualified personnel.

What is the biggest insurance company failure? ›

Executive Life Insurance Company (1991) - One of the largest life insurance companies in the US, it went bankrupt due to investment losses in junk bonds.

What is the pestle in the insurance industry? ›

PESTLE helps you analyse the political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors in your external context. PESTLE analysis will make it easier to: identify and analyse risks in a way that is consistent and thorough.

Why do insurance companies have a bad reputation? ›

One of the primary reasons that insurance companies have a bad reputation is that they are often seen as profit-driven businesses that care more about their bottom line than their customers. Insurance companies are businesses, and like any other business, they need to make a profit.

Why are insurance companies rejecting me? ›

Car insurance companies are more likely to deny insurance to people they believe are more likely to file a claim. Insurance companies frequently deny coverage if the applicant has a recent history of accidents, a series of minor traffic tickets or a serious infraction such as a DUI.

What do customers expect from insurance companies? ›

Insurance customers want to reduce risks in their lives and are willing to use risk-prevention services from insurers. This preference is most pronounced among millennials, affluent customers, urban customers, and families with children.

Why do car insurance companies drop people? ›

Too many insurance claims

The first step is often to increase your car insurance rate. From there, if a customer has another accident or files more claims, the insurer may send a notice that they won't be renewing the policy at the end of its term.

What is the retention rate of insurance customers? ›

Retention is a measure of how many clients your agency maintains from one renewal period to the next. Your agency's retention rate is important because, typically, the higher the number, the higher an agency's valuation and profit margin. The average client retention rate for the insurance industry is 84%.

What do people want from insurance companies? ›

Consumers expect prospective insurance companies to provide the following: Personalization - they want to be more than just a policy number. Unbundled pricing for each component – they want to pick and choose the level of coverage but at bundled prices. Appreciation – They want to feel appreciated and understood.

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