If you’re planning to start a career as an insurance agent in India, one of the first decisions you’ll face is:
Should I join LIC or work with a private insurance company like HDFC Life, TATA AIA, ICICI Prudential, Max Life, or Bajaj Allianz?
This guide breaks down commissions, sales support, flexibility, brand trust, and growth potential so you can make the right choice in 2025.
1. Commission Comparison — LIC vs Private
LIC Agent Commissions
- ~35% first-year commission on endowment/savings plans
- ~5% on renewals (from 2nd year onwards)
- Very low or almost nil commission on term insurance plans
Private Insurance Agent Commissions (e.g., HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential, Max Life)
- 25–30% on term insurance plans
- 10–20% on ULIPs & child plans
- Attractive bonuses and performance incentives for meeting sales targets
Real Example:
If you sell a ₹10 lakh endowment plan:
- As an LIC agent, you may earn ₹35,000 in first-year commission
- As a private agent (ULIP or term plan), your first-year earning could range between ₹25,000–₹30,000 but with higher renewal and performance bonuses.
Tip: Want to maximize commissions by selling across multiple insurers?
Consider becoming a POSP agent under eBharat — sell from 10+ insurers (except LIC) with one license.
2. Sales Approach & Customer Base
LIC Agent vs Private Insurance Agent
Which path suits your skills, market, and income goals?
LIC Agent
- Focuses mainly on savings & traditional life products.
- Best for rural & semi-urban customers who strongly trust LIC.
- Works mostly via offline, face-to-face meetings and local networking.
Private Insurance Agent
- Offers a mix of term, ULIPs, child plans, health riders.
- Uses digital tools, WhatsApp marketing, and video calls for selling.
- Targets urban professionals & NRIs who prefer online convenience.
3. Training & Support
- LIC: Classroom-style training, strong offline network, decades-old system
- Private Companies: Digital onboarding, e-learning modules, CRM tools, and marketing support
4. Speed of Onboarding
- LIC: May take 3–4 weeks from application to license issuance
- Private Insurers: Often 1–2 weeks, especially for POSP models
5. Brand Trust & Market Reach
- LIC: 65+ years of brand trust, massive rural penetration
- Private: Growing rapidly in urban markets, product innovation, aggressive marketing campaigns
6. The Broker Advantage — eBharat Model
With eBharat’s POSP platform, you can:
- Sell policies from multiple top insurers under one code
- Work entirely from home or anywhere in India
- Access PlanMatch to instantly compare insurance plans for clients
- Use WhatsApp Tools and Sales Scripts to close deals faster
- Get free IC-38 exam training & mock tests
Case Study: Ravi, a teacher in Rajasthan, joined eBharat as a POSP agent in 2024. Within 6 months, he sold policies from 6 different insurers, earning commissions from both term and investment plans — all without leaving his home.
7. Final Verdict — Which Should You Choose in 2025?
| You Should Join… | If You Want… |
|---|---|
| LIC | Legacy, rural trust, traditional field work |
| Private Insurer | Flexibility, digital tools, modern plans, better term plan payouts |
| Broker (eBharat) | Multi-company access, remote work, higher commission flexibility, digital sales tools |
Our Recommendation
If you prefer traditional field selling in rural areas and want the backing of India’s most trusted brand, LIC is a safe choice.
If you want modern plans, faster onboarding, and higher earnings potential, a private insurer or broker model like eBharat will give you more flexibility and growth.
Next Steps to Start Your Insurance Career in 2025
Become an Insurance Agent — Get licensed, start earning commissions.
Explore Insurance+ Plans — Compare term, ULIP, child, and health plans instantly.
Use eBharat Digital Tools — PlanMatch, WhatsApp Scripts, Sales CRM, and more to grow your business.
Choosing between LIC, a private insurer, or the eBharat broker model depends on your target customers, income goals, and selling style.
But in 2025, agents who embrace digital selling and multi-insurer access will have the biggest advantage.
