This Veterans Day, we want to say thank you to everyone who has served, and to the families who served alongside them. We also want to talk about something we have seen firsthand. Some of the best agents we have worked with came to insurance after military service. If you are exploring careers for veterans that offer ownership, stability, and a mission of protecting people, independent insurance deserves a serious look.
What makes veterans a strong fit for an insurance agent career?
Much of what makes someone effective in uniform maps directly onto running an agency:
- Discipline and consistency. The agents who thrive show up and do the work every week, not in bursts. Veterans already know how to operate on routine.
- Mission focus. Insurance is about protecting people when things go wrong. That sense of purpose drives many veterans, and it makes client conversations genuine.
- Following a process while adapting on the fly. Agencies run on systems for quoting, follow-up, and service, but every client is different. Veterans are used to working within a framework and adjusting to conditions.
- Leadership. Many veterans eventually grow their agencies by hiring producers and support staff. Leading a team is familiar territory.
- Trust. Clients buy from people they trust. Service builds a kind of credibility that is hard to fake.
Why consider owning an independent agency instead of a job?
Many veterans transitioning to civilian life want more than a paycheck. They want to build something. An independent agency offers:
- Ownership of your book of business, meaning an asset you build, not just a salary you earn.
- Renewal income that grows year over year, so your income does not reset to zero every month.
- Control of your schedule, which matters to families who have spent years on someone else's timeline.
- Portability. Much of the work happens by phone and computer.
We explored the long-term side of this in building generational wealth through an independent insurance agency.
Do veterans need insurance experience to get started?
No. About 70 percent of our top-performing agents had no insurance license when they first reached out to us. You will need a property and casualty license. Our career changer's guide walks through what that transition looks like.
How does Secure American support new agents?
Veteran business ownership is far easier with a strong support structure. At Secure American, onboarding training typically takes 7 to 10 business days. Then you receive your own logins to quote and bind with more than 40 carriers. Our in-house accounting team processes commissions, our marketing coordinator helps build your plan, and mentors are a phone call away. That structure is a big part of why 96 percent of our agents succeed, and why every one of our agents has booked a first client within five business days of finishing training.
To everyone who served: thank you. If you are ready for your next mission, visit our Get Started page.
FAQ
Can I start an insurance agency part-time while transitioning out of the military?
Many agents start part-time. Secure American has no quotas or production requirements, so you can build at a pace that fits your transition.
What license do I need to become an independent insurance agent?
Most agents joining Secure American need a property and casualty (P&C) license. Requirements vary by state.
Do I need an office to run an independent agency?
No. Home offices are acceptable, as long as you have the proper equipment and can maintain a professional environment.