People who work in insurance sometimes get given a hard time by the press, and even by people in other jobs. The profession is not well thought of; when you work in insurance, the general assumption is that you're out to make a quick buck at someone else's expense, and you profit from other people's misery because you're selling policies that protect against death or loss of property. Insurance agents don't mind that you have that view of them, though, and that's because they're making exactly as much money as you suspect they might be!
Working in insurance sales is a numbers business. Agents are typically paid a commission per sale, plus retention bonuses and performance incentives. Excellent communication skills are a must if you're going to persuade people to buy from you, and detailed knowledge of the policies you're selling is also essential. Most states also require you to have a license.