If you want to work as an insurance agent, many courses and programs will provide you with the necessary qualifications. The license requirements for insurance agents should also follow the state where you will work. Continuing training for insurance agents with a minimum of education is standard, and the most ambitious go on to get their expert designations. At a minimum, only a high school diploma or equivalent is required to start your career as an insurance agent.
Obtaining Basic Education and Ongoing Training
If you want to become an insurance agent, you must first obtain a basic education. This means a high school diploma or an equivalent. Even though most agents start by studying business, they will also take courses that focus on insurance law. After all, insurance is one of the most regulated industries in the country. Therefore, if you want to work in an insurance company, you must know the industry’s laws and regulations. Not only that, but it’s also your legal right and responsibility to be knowledgeable about the products and services that you represent.
A common standard requirement to become an insurance agent in most states is that the person should be at least 18 years old to apply for a job as an insurance agent. In addition, he or she must complete any pre-licensing training program required by the state where he wants to work as an insurance agent.
Most agents are trained by the companies they work for. However, independent agents are usually trained in seminars and in classes. They also read consumer reports and articles about the insurance industry to learn about industry best practices. Public relations training is also usually a part of these seminars.
License Requirements
For each form of insurance you intend to offer, you’ll need an insurance license from your state. You need to pass the licensing examination, for example, if you wish to provide auto and home insurance. Generally, one pre-license training and exam covers both life and health insurance. The licensing requirements differ depending on the state(s) you wish to work in. Typically, you must complete an insurance program and pass a state-mandated exam.
People choose to become independent agents when they pass all the required examinations and are licensed by their state insurance department. However, to work as an insurance agent, an individual must pass both the written and listening examinations given by the state insurance department. After completing the state insurance exam, the individual must also pass the state licensing exam.
So to get your insurance license, you need to clear the state licensing exam and take a state examination that covers the various aspects of insurance. Typically, the exam costs will depend on the training courses you choose to take. Most people who start an insurance career choose to take online training courses because they are affordable and convenient.
Degrees and Majors That Benefit Insurance Agents
Although having a college education is not necessary to become an insurance agent, it can certainly help! An insurance agent can study anything as an undergraduate student, but some majors are particularly beneficial to have. Students who major in psychology have a definite edge as they understand human behavior and can use their education to win more clients. In addition, understanding your client’s psychology gives insurance agents an advantage over those agents who do not major in psychology and thus do not have a firm grasp of human psychology.
Likewise, an insurance agent who majors in finance with financial management or risk management as an elective will have more grip over the insurance policies and their financial implications for their clients. As a result, these agents can better explain the monetary significance of holding an insurance policy to their clients and quickly answer any financial queries their clients may have about a particular insurance product. On the other hand, an insurance agent who holds a major in history or art will have to struggle more to understand all the financials involved with an insurance plan and then explain those to their clients. However, specialized education is not a must for insurance agents, and most can go on to have a successful career with a well-rounded education and a confident personality.
Several insurance designations can help you enter the insurance industry or progress in your role as an insurance agent. For example, agents who want to progress to the role of senior managers often go for advanced courses in insurance and take further licensing tests. By getting advanced qualifications, you have a better prospect of moving to a senior role. In most instances, the company that hires you is willing to pay for your advance insurance training.
When you hold your license and have a firm grip over basic to advanced insurance subjects, you are ready to start and grow your career in the insurance field. You can continue with your education to stay up to date with the latest insurance developments.
Apart from qualifications, you should also have good communication and presentation skills to help you succeed. You should be well-spoken and intelligent. Good communication skills and an ability to connect with people are essential as an insurance agent has to deal with and convince people to go for different insurance plans.
Start Your Career As An Insurance Agent
If it is your desire to work in the insurance field, you have to be extremely organized and dedicated to your work. It takes a lot of patience to keep working in the insurance industry.
If you are interested in an insurance career, call Western Marketing. Our experts have over four decades of experience specializing in training, recruiting, and supporting insurance agents in 50 states. We at Western Marketing can help you get started as an insurance agent and provide you with the resources to succeed in this competitive field.