17 Insurance Account Executive Interview Questions and Answers

An insurance account executive is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with clients in the insurance industry. As an account executive, you will work with clients to identify their needs and provide them with the best insurance coverage options. You will also be responsible for negotiating insurance contracts, renewals, and rates.

To succeed in this role, you will need to have excellent communication and negotiation skills. You will also need to be able to build and maintain relationships with clients. If you are looking for a job as an insurance account executive, you will need to be able to answer insurance interview questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications.

In this guide, we will provide you with some sample insurance interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable cold calling potential clients to set up appointments?

Cold calling is a common practice for insurance account executives. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with the process and understand how it works. In your answer, explain that you are willing to do cold calls as part of your job responsibilities. Explain that you know how to prepare for these calls and what to say when making them.

Example: “I am definitely willing to cold call potential clients. I have experience doing so in previous jobs, and I find it’s an effective way to reach new people who may be interested in our services. Before each cold call, I research the company or person I’m calling. This helps me learn more about their business and personal interests. Then, during the call, I introduce myself and my company. I try to get the other party interested by explaining how we can help them.”

What are some of the most effective strategies you use to close a sale?

Account executives need to be able to close sales, which means they must have effective closing strategies. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to close a sale and can do so effectively. In your answer, explain what makes these strategies successful for you.

Example: “I find that the best way to close a sale is by building rapport with my clients. I try to get to know them as much as possible before presenting any insurance options. This helps me understand their needs and figure out which policy would work best for them. Another strategy I use is asking open-ended questions. This allows me to learn more about my client’s situation and determine if there are any other factors I should take into consideration when creating a plan.”

How do you build trust with clients to help them feel comfortable working with you?

Trust is an important part of any relationship, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills. Use examples from previous roles where you’ve built trust with clients or customers.

Example: “I find that building a personal connection with my clients helps them feel comfortable working with me. I try to get to know them on a deeper level by asking questions about their lives and listening carefully to their answers. This helps me understand what they value in life and how we can work together to create a personalized insurance plan for them.”

What is your experience with working with clients who have complex insurance needs?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach working with clients who have more complex insurance needs. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work with a variety of clients.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked with several clients who had very unique insurance needs. For example, one client was an older woman who needed life insurance but didn’t want to pay for any additional coverage. In this case, I helped her find a policy that only covered what she needed without paying extra for things like accidental death benefits. Another client was a young family who wanted to get term life insurance because they were expecting their first child. I helped them find a policy that fit their budget while also providing enough coverage.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to go above and beyond for a client.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what motivates you. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your dedication, hard work and willingness to go above and beyond for clients.

Example: “In my last position as an insurance account executive, I had a client who was looking for life insurance. The client’s health history made it difficult to find a policy that would cover him at a reasonable price. After researching several companies, I found one that offered coverage with a high deductible but low monthly premiums. I explained this to the client and helped him decide on the best option for his situation. He ended up purchasing the policy and was very happy with the service he received.”

If a client has a complaint about their insurance, how would you resolve the issue?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would resolve a conflict with a client and whether or not you have the necessary communication skills to do so effectively. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you value your clients’ opinions and concerns and are willing to work hard to solve any problems they might have.

Example: “If a client has a complaint about their insurance, I would first listen carefully to understand what the issue is. Then, I would contact my manager or supervisor for advice on how best to handle the situation. If it’s something we can fix ourselves, I would immediately take action to make sure the client was satisfied. If it’s something outside of our control, I would explain the situation to the client and offer them an alternative solution.”

What would you do if you recommended a policy to a client and they decided to go with a cheaper option?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle rejection and disappointment. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions and learn from mistakes.

Example: “If I recommended a policy to a client and they decided to go with a cheaper option, I would first ask them why they made this decision. If it was because of price alone, I would use this as an opportunity to educate the client on other factors that may affect their insurance rates in the future. For example, if they have a history of filing claims or driving violations, they may be paying more than someone who has a clean record.”

How well do you understand the insurance industry and its trends?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the insurance industry and how it has changed over time. Use examples from your experience working in the insurance field to show that you have a strong understanding of the industry’s trends and changes.

Example: “I’ve been working as an insurance account executive for five years now, so I have a good grasp on the current state of the insurance industry. For example, I know that many companies are moving away from commission-based pay models because they can be unfair to employees who work hard but don’t meet their sales quotas. Instead, more companies are implementing performance-based compensation plans where employees receive bonuses based on their individual performance.”

Do you have experience working with insurance software and other tools to help you perform your job?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with technology and how you use it in your work. Use your answer to explain which software or tools you’ve used in the past and what benefits they offer you as an insurance professional.

Example: “I have worked with several different types of software throughout my career, including customer relationship management (CRM) software that helps me organize client information and sales automation software that allows me to track leads and manage my sales pipeline. I find these tools helpful because they allow me to stay organized and ensure I’m meeting all of my goals.”

When approaching a new client, what is your sales pitch and why do you think it works?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a proven sales pitch and can apply it in the future. When answering this question, think about what has worked for you in the past when selling insurance policies to clients.

Example: “I believe my approach to new clients should be tailored to their needs. I always ask questions to learn more about them and their situation before making any recommendations. This helps me understand how they want to feel after our conversation and allows me to present solutions that will make them feel secure and confident in their decision.”

We want to increase our customer retention. What would you do to help us accomplish this?

This question is a great way to determine how much experience you have with customer retention and what strategies you use to keep customers happy. Your answer should include an example of a time when you helped increase customer retention in your previous role.

Example: “I would first analyze the current customer base, looking at their age, gender, location and other factors that may affect their insurance needs. Then I would create targeted marketing campaigns based on these demographics. For instance, if I noticed that most of our customers were older than 50 years old, I would send them information about discounts for senior citizens. This strategy has worked well for me in my previous position, as it helps us better understand our customers and provide them with relevant information.”

Describe your process for keeping track of customer information and updating customer files.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you organize your work and keep track of important information. Your answer should include a specific process for keeping customer files organized, including any tools or software you use to streamline this process.

Example: “I have a system that I’ve developed over time that helps me stay organized when working with customers. First, I create an initial file for each new customer where I store all relevant documents, such as their application form, proof of residence and other documentation they may need to submit. Then, I create sub-files within the main file for each type of insurance policy the customer is applying for, which allows me to separate different types of information by policy type. Finally, I create individual folders within each policy folder for each piece of information related to that policy, such as payment history and correspondence.”

What makes you stand out from other insurance account executives?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique skills and talents. They want to know what makes you a valuable asset to their company. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out from other account executives. These can be soft skills like communication or hard skills like sales experience.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who is always prepared for meetings. I also have extensive knowledge of the insurance industry, which helps me understand how different policies work. Finally, I am passionate about helping people find affordable solutions to their problems. This motivates me to do my best at all times.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working with?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to their company. When preparing for this interview, make sure you read through the job description to see which industries they work with most often. In your answer, explain why these industries are important to you and what makes them unique.

Example: “I have worked in both healthcare and financial services throughout my career. I find that working in these two industries has given me a lot of valuable insight into how insurance works and who needs it most. Working in these industries has also helped me develop strong communication skills and build relationships with clients.”

What do you think is the most important skill for an insurance account executive to have?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a skill you possess and how it helps you succeed in your job.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills an insurance account executive needs is communication. I am very good at communicating with clients and colleagues because I always make sure to listen carefully when someone speaks. This skill has helped me resolve many issues before they become larger problems.”

How often do you update your knowledge of insurance laws and regulations?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how much you know about the insurance industry and whether you’re committed to staying up-to-date on changes. Your answer should show that you are willing to learn more about the industry as needed.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my knowledge of the insurance industry, so I regularly attend seminars and webinars hosted by my company and other organizations. I also read articles from reputable sources to stay informed about new laws and regulations. In fact, I recently learned about a new law that allows me to offer discounts to customers who install security systems in their homes.”

There is a gap in your customer’s insurance policy. What would you do?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to think critically. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain the steps you would take to solve the issue and how you would ensure that the customer was satisfied with the outcome.

Example: “If there was a gap in my customer’s insurance policy, I would first make sure they were aware of the situation. Then, I would contact the company to see if they could fill in the gap or offer an alternative solution. If not, I would find another insurance provider who could provide coverage for the missing piece. I would also follow up with the client after the new policy went into effect to make sure everything was okay.”