Breaking into the insurance industry is tough—there’s no sugarcoating it. Many new agents find themselves questioning whether they should...
Breaking into the insurance industry is tough—there’s no sugarcoating it. Many new agents find themselves questioning whether they should quit and move on to something else. Patrick Bet-David, entrepreneur and founder of Valuetainment, has some powerful advice for those struggling agents who feel like giving up. His perspective might just be what you need to hear today.
Why Most Agents Quit Too Early
When asked what he would say to a struggling agent thinking of quitting—knowing that 92% eventually do—Patrick shared a story that perfectly illustrates his point.
A husband-and-wife team who owned a pizza shop came to him during the pandemic. They were still netting a few hundred thousand dollars a year but wanted to move into a different industry. When Patrick pressed them on why, they admitted it was because the business had simply gotten hard.
Patrick compared this decision to a marriage. Relationships aren’t perfect, and everyone experiences frustration with their partner. But you don’t just walk away the moment things get tough. Instead, you put in the work, maybe even therapy, before making a final decision.
His advice to the couple? “You’re not getting a divorce yet. Give it 12 months, then reevaluate.”
The same principle applies to insurance. Patrick says:
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The first five years are absolute hell.
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Many agents fail not because the industry is bad, but because they’re lazy or make poor financial decisions.
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If after five years of giving your very best nothing is happening, then consider leaving. Until then, stay patient and keep building.
The reality is, many agents who are now thriving once considered quitting. Sticking it out made all the difference.
The Power of Building a Team
Patrick also addressed how someone can recruit 15,000–20,000 agents over a career. His answer: it’s all about systems and duplication.
He shared a story from his time at Morgan Stanley, where a top earner revealed the real secret. Selling alone has limits. To build real wealth, you need to recruit, train, and develop others.
That’s what Patrick did. He realized success in insurance isn’t just about your personal sales—it’s about creating a system that allows others to succeed without relying on you every step of the way. Without a scalable system, massive growth is impossible.
What Does It Mean to Be the Top 8%?
Patrick’s take on the elite “8%” of agents who make it is simple:
It’s about being willing to do what others aren’t.
He shared stories of working late nights, making “just 10 more calls,” and pushing past the point where everyone else stopped. Those extra calls, those extra appointments, those sacrifices—that’s what separates the 8% from the 92% who quit.
Key Takeaway
If you’re a struggling agent, remember this:
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Don’t quit too soon—commit at least five years.
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Avoid bad financial habits that sabotage your progress.
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Focus on building a system and a team.
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Be willing to go the extra mile, even when no one else will.
Insurance is not easy—but if you endure, it can change your life and your family’s future in ways you can’t imagine.
FAQs
1. Why do so many new insurance agents quit?
Because the first few years are extremely difficult. Many underestimate the grind, mismanage their finances, or simply lack patience.
2. How long should I give the insurance business before deciding if it’s for me?
Patrick Bet-David recommends at least five years of consistent effort before making a final decision.
3. What separates successful agents from those who fail?
Discipline, consistency, and the willingness to do what others won’t—like making extra calls, running late appointments, and constantly improving.
4. Is selling enough to build long-term wealth in insurance?
No. Selling is important, but real growth comes from recruiting, training, and scaling a team through proven systems.
5. What does being in the top 8% really mean?
It means doing the hard, unglamorous work that most agents avoid—sticking through challenges, putting in extra effort, and never quitting too early.
👉 Next Step: If you’re struggling right now, instead of thinking about quitting, commit to five years of focused work. Build systems, seek mentorship, and remember that every top producer once thought about giving up. The difference is—they didn’t.
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