How to Find an Insurance Agent Training Program
If you want to become an insurance agent, you will need to become licensed in the state in which you will be working and selling insurance. While selling insurance may not seem like a glamorous job to many people, it can be a very lucrative career and be entirely satisfying. If you want a career that provides you with the ability to own your business, earn a high commission income and work with people, you may enjoy becoming an insurance agent. In addition to becoming licensed, insurance agents are required to take continuing education courses to maintain their license. Typically, insurance agents earn salary, plus commission when working for another broker. However, many agents choose to open their own agencies and can earn an even higher income as a result.
Online Training Programs
The most popular form of insurance agent training program is an online course. There are literally hundreds of online educational programs for becoming an insurance agent. You can find them easily by conducting a search on your state and the type of insurance you anticipate you will be selling. For example, a Google search on the terms, “Tennessee home insurance agent training,” will bring up search results for the most popular companies that offer agent training that is approved in Tennessee.
When considering an online insurance agent training course, there are several things to consider. First, you should make sure that they are approved for licensure in your state. You can find this information out easily by looking at your state’s government website for information about becoming licensed as an insurance agent.
Secondly, thoroughly research the company by looking at the Better Business Bureau website. If there are complaints against the company, you may want to reconsider whether you should use their services.
Also, look for training programs that provide you with access to experienced trainers who can answer questions or clarify concepts for you. Many online training courses provide you with both written materials in addition to online reading materials. Additionally, you can take online quizzes and practice exams as part of your course work.
Company-Sponsored Training Programs
Another source for training as an insurance agent is company-sponsored course work. Many large insurance companies have their own training programs for new agents. This type of training program should meet your state’s requirements for licensing and thoroughly educate you about their specific company products. Company-sponsored insurance training programs offer the advantage of giving you a jump-start on learning about their various products from the beginning, along with the general concepts of insurance and state laws governing insurance.
What Course Work Entails
Both in-person and online insurance agent training courses are very similar. They usually have written materials that you need to read and retain. Reading material will cover legal issues in the insurance industry and specific state laws that pertain to insurance in your state. Additional issues that are covered include:
• Licensing Requirements
• Ethical Issues
• Insurance Definitions
• Limitations on Selling Insurance
• Agent Obligations
• Practice Scenarios
In addition to reading materials, chapter quizzes are usually part of the training. Quizzes may include review of terms, math problems, definitions and review of concepts in previous chapters. Generally, at the end of the course, a final exam is given and you must pass this exam to complete the training course.
Before choosing an insurance agent training course, research the training company to make sure they are approved for agent licensing training in your state. Once you have completed your training course and submitted your certificate of completion, you will submit your license application and schedule your state license examination. Upon a passing grade on your state exam, your license will be awarded and issued to you.