Will the Era Without Insurance Planners Arrive? ... "Those Who Use AI Will Come Before AI Itself"

Insurance Planners Surpass 700,000

Rising Expectations for 'Planner-Free Insurance'

"An Era Without Planners Will Be Preceded by the Era Without Planners Who Can't Use AI"

In the insurance industry, as artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used for tasks such as consultations and product comparisons, there is growing speculation that an “era without insurance planners” may eventually arrive as AI technology advances. However, due to the unique nature of insurance sales—which require agents to remind clients of potential risks and secure final agreements based on trust—the role of insurance planners is unlikely to disappear overnight. For the time being, AI is expected to complement rather than fully replace agents, widening the competitiveness gap between planners who utilize AI and those who do not.

According to the insurance industry as of August 3, 2026, the number of registered insurance planners at the end of last year stood at 712,426, surpassing the 700,000 mark for the first time. This record was driven by an increase in agents affiliated with general agencies (GAs)—which offer relatively high commissions and sales autonomy—as well as insurers expanding recruitment of both exclusive agents and part-time “multi-job agents.”

Nevertheless, a record high number of planners does not mean every insurance product depends on face-to-face sales. In areas where consumers are already aware of their need for coverage and can easily compare products, methods that allow enrollment without an agent are rapidly gaining ground.

Auto insurance and travel insurance are prime examples. Automobile insurance is mandatory and features a largely standardized coverage structure across providers. Travel insurance is also relatively simple, allowing consumers to easily compare products based on price or discount add-ons.

Furthermore, Kyobo Lifeplanet Life Insurance launched last month its personalized insurance curation service, “Insurance Secretary,” designed to fill counseling gaps that may arise when purchasing insurance without an agent by leveraging digital technology. Insurance Secretary analyzes a client’s occupation, lifestyle, and more to explain gaps in existing coverage and reasons additional protection may be needed. Kyobo Lifeplanet Life Insurance plans to integrate AI into Insurance Secretary to further tailor advice, taking into account customer behavior and changes throughout their life stages.

Some observers predict that, as AI is more actively applied to insurance sales, products that can be purchased without an agent may increase dramatically. It is argued that clients will be able to use AI to analyze insurance contracts, health, and financial information, quickly identify gaps in coverage, and compare premiums across different products. In such cases, it will be possible to ask about key policy terms and receive personalized explanations anytime and anywhere.

AI Usage Gap Will Precede the Era Without Planners

Based solely on AI’s technological potential, it may seem that much of an insurance planner’s work is on the verge of being automated. However, in reality, the range suitable for automation could be much smaller. According to analysis by the Korea Development Institute (KDI), assuming AI technology is fully implemented, 54% of tasks performed by financial and insurance sales workers—including insurance planners—would be economically advantageous to automate. However, after factoring in the need for human judgment and realistic feasibility, only 8% of these tasks are actually considered automatable. This reveals a significant mismatch between what AI capabilities suggest and what can truly be automated in practice within a planner’s work.

The inherent sales characteristics of insurance also make it difficult to fully replace planners with AI. Planners must proactively approach clients, highlight risks that have not yet occurred, and explain appropriate coverage. The process of conveying the necessity of coverage and securing agreements occupies a significant portion of sales activities, well beyond simple information delivery. An industry insider said, “It is difficult for AI to discover new clients through personal networks or handle final negotiations. The recent increase in AI usage by planners stems from tasks such as preparing for consultations and creating explanatory materials, where AI can provide assistance.”

Industry experts predict that the “era without planners” will first take hold not across the entire insurance market but within specific products and tasks. For products such as micro-insurance or simple renewable policies, consumers are likely to increasingly use AI to directly compare and purchase coverage. However, in more complex and long-term products like whole life, health, or annuity insurance, collaboration between AI and human planners is expected to remain the prevailing model.

A financial industry representative commented, “Although insurance planners are sometimes cited as a profession likely to be replaced by AI, for now, AI is more likely to serve as a supplementary tool than a full replacement. We are likely to see a widening competitiveness gap between planners who utilize AI and those who do not, well before an era completely without planners arrives.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.