Want to get into insurance?

There’s a Lot More to Insurance Than You Probably Think.

Most people don’t grow up planning to work in insurance. In fact, many students finish high school without ever realizing how many different careers exist in this industry.

Insurance includes sales and customer service, but it also includes claims, investigations, inspections, operations, technology, data, risk management, underwriting, and much more.

When a car crashes, a business floods, a hurricane hits, or a family experiences a major loss, somebody has to figure out what happens next.

That’s where insurance professionals come in.

If you’re a high school student wondering what comes after graduation, this page is a place to start. You can explore some of the jobs available, learn how people enter the insurance industry in Florida, and find resources to help you decide whether one of these careers might be right for you.

Something Bad Happens.
Somebody Decides What Happens Next.

That’s the job.

A fire. A storm. A crash. A death in the family.

Insurance helps individuals, families, and businesses manage financial risk when the unexpected happens. Behind that process are professionals guiding policyholders through their insurance programs—helping them understand their coverage, make informed decisions, and navigate what happens when something goes wrong.

That can mean evaluating risks, reviewing coverage, managing accounts, inspecting property, investigating claims, analyzing information, working with insurance companies, and helping clients make sense of their options.

It’s work built around problem-solving, communication, technology, business, and people.

And there are far more ways into the industry than most students ever hear about.

Nine Jobs, One Crash

One accident can put a surprising number of careers to work.

A car went through the front wall of this business. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt.

But getting from “something happened” to “the business is back to normal” can involve people doing very different jobs.

Customer Representative

Helps customers quote and service policies and is often one of the entry points into working at an insurance agency.

Claims Adjuster

Investigates a loss, reviews the details of a claim, evaluates damage, and helps determine what is owed under the policy.

Auto Damage Appraiser

Evaluates damaged vehicles and estimates repair costs or vehicle damage.

Catastrophe Adjuster

Handles claims following hurricanes and other large-scale disasters, sometimes traveling wherever help is needed.

Drone Pilot / Field Inspector

Uses photography, field inspections, and technology to document roofs, buildings, and other property. Commercial drone pilots typically need an FAA Part 107 certificate.

Fraud Investigator

Reviews suspicious claims, documents, statements, and other evidence to determine whether the facts add up.

Insurance Agent / Advisor

Works with individuals or businesses before a loss happens to help them understand their risks and insurance options.

Account Manager

Works with clients throughout the life of their insurance account, helping with service needs, renewals, changes, documents, and coverage questions.

Agency Operations Supervisor

Keeps the people, technology, systems, and workflows behind an insurance agency moving.

And those are only nine possibilities.

Insurance companies and agencies also need people working in underwriting, accounting, marketing, cybersecurity, data science, human resources, law, actuarial science, risk management, and technology.

Some positions require a license, certificate, specialized training, experience, or college degree. Others can provide an entry point directly out of high school.

There is no single “insurance career.”

What Can Insurance Careers Pay?

U.S. median annual pay, May 2025

Career	Median Annual Pay
All U.S. occupations	$50,980
Insurance sales agents	$62,280
Claims adjusters, examiners & investigators	$78,000
Insurance auto damage appraisers	$78,240

Pay varies by position, experience, employer, location, compensation structure, and other factors. Sales positions may include commissions or bonuses.

Why the Door Is Open

3 Million+

people work in U.S. insurance carriers and related activities.

79%

of Gen Z respondents in a 2025 study said they had never considered a career in insurance.

43,100

openings for insurance sales agents are projected each year, on average, from 2025-2035.

Insurance isn’t a tiny industry. It’s an industry that most students simply don’t hear much about when they start thinking about careers.

That means learning about it early can give you a head start.

Current BLS employment data put insurance carriers and related activities at roughly three million jobs, while its latest projections show 43,100 average annual openings for sales agents. The 79% Gen Z figure comes from Cake & Arrow’s 2025 research.

How Can You Get Started in Insurance in Florida?

A four-year degree can open doors in insurance, but it isn’t the only way into the industry. Florida has licensing pathways that can allow people to begin building insurance experience at a young age.

01

Start Exploring Licensing at 18

Florida's 4-40 Resident Customer Representative license is available beginning at age 18 for eligible Florida residents.

You do not necessarily need a four-year degree, but you do need to meet one of Florida's approved education or professional-designation prerequisites before applying. The licensing process also includes an application, supporting documentation, and fingerprinting.

Once appropriately licensed and appointed, a customer representative can work within an insurance agency under the supervision of a licensed general lines agent.

02

Get Paid to Learn

Working inside an agency lets you learn how insurance actually works: coverage, customers, technology, documentation, claims, sales, and the systems that keep an agency running.

It also gives you a chance to figure out what part of the industry fits you.

You may discover that you love working with clients. Or analyzing problems. Or sales. Or operations. Or claims.

You don't have to know on day one.

03

Build Toward a 2-20 General Lines License

Experience can open the next door.

Under current Florida requirements, someone who completes at least one year of qualifying insurance duties as a licensed and appointed 4-40 Customer Representative may qualify for a 40-hour conversion course and state examination as a pathway toward the 2-20 Resident General Lines license, rather than completing the standard 200-hour prelicensing course.

Check Current Florida Licensing Requirements

Florida insurance licensing requirements can change. Always confirm current requirements with the Florida Department of Financial Services before beginning a licensing program.

You Don't Have to Wait Until Graduation

Ask About a Shadow Day

Want to know what an insurance agency actually looks like? Ask HLI about opportunities to spend some time seeing the work firsthand.

Take a Business or Economics Class

A business, economics, finance, accounting, or dual-enrollment course can give you useful background for many insurance careers.

Get Customer-Facing Experience

Retail, hospitality, restaurants, and other customer-service jobs can build communication and problem-solving skills you'll use throughout the insurance industry.

Start Exploring the Industry

Career programs such as Invest can introduce you to insurance concepts, career paths, industry professionals, and scholarship opportunities before you finish school.

Want to Go to College? Insurance Has a Path for That Too.

Some insurance careers begin with a license or certificate. Others benefit from—or require—college study.

Risk Management and Insurance programs can lead toward careers in underwriting, corporate risk management, analytics, claims, financial services, insurance operations, actuarial work, and industry leadership.

Florida Programs to Explore

UCF — Risk Management & Insurance B.S.B.A.

UCF now has a dedicated Risk Management & Insurance bachelor’s program through its College of Business. Explore UCF Risk Management & Insurance

Florida State University — Risk Management/Insurance

FSU offers a Bachelor of Science in Risk Management/Insurance with coursework spanning insurance operations, products, financial planning, employee benefits, and risk management. Explore FSU Risk Management/Insurance

Florida Atlantic University — Risk Management & Insurance Certificate

FAU offers an undergraduate certificate covering insurance principles, corporate risk management, life insurance, pensions, and related areas. Explore FAU’s RMI Certificate

University of South Florida — School of Risk Management and Insurance

USF’s Muma College of Business offers Risk Management and Insurance academic programs through The Baldwin Group School of Risk Management and Insurance. Explore Risk Management & Insurance at USF

Insurance Career Resources

Florida Association of Insurance Agents

FAIA provides insurance education, licensing resources, professional development, and workforce-development programs throughout Florida. Explore FAIA Education

Invest

Invest is designed specifically to introduce students to insurance careers. It provides free insurance curriculum, career information, scholarships, classroom resources, and connections with industry professionals. Explore Invest

Florida Invest Scholarships

FAIA offers scholarship opportunities for Florida high school seniors participating in Invest, including both college-bound students and students pursuing insurance licensing or certification without college. Explore Florida Invest Scholarships

Independent Insurance Agents of Central Florida

IIACF supports Central Florida’s independent insurance agency community through education, networking, industry programs, and professional resources. Explore IIACF

Have a Question About a Career in Insurance?

You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do yet.

If you have a question about insurance careers, licensing, college programs, job shadowing, or what it is actually like to work in an insurance agency, send it our way.

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Want to See More of Life at HLI?

If you’re already thinking beyond high school, take a look at what it is like to work inside an independent insurance agency or learn more about HLI’s college internship program.

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