How to Get Your Insurance License
An Insurance agent sells insurance products to customers.
These customers could be individuals, corporations or groups. Insurance agents
also help customers in filing their insurance claims, and getting them
processed for payment.
There are several kinds of insurance products currently
available in the market. These include health, life, motor vehicle, property,
marine and miscellaneous insurance etc.
There are two kinds of insurance agents: captive and
independent. The former can sell insurance products of a single insurer only
while the latter may sell products of more than one insurers.
There are some regulatory requirements for becoming aninsurance agent. The first and foremost among them is acquiring a license.
Certification is also required before you start operating as an insurance
agent. The requirements for obtaining an insurance agents’ license varies from
state to state and country to country.
Perquisites for
Licensing
There is a requirement for completing a prescribed course
before one becomes eligible for a licensing exam. A certain number of class
hours are also mandatory.
There is no prescribed degree requirement for becoming an
insurance agent. However, insurers and brokers prefer to hire insurance agents
with a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in marketing, business or
finance.
How to get an insurance
license
Holding an insurance license is a mandatory requirement for
selling any kind of insurance product. In most cases, the regulator requires
insurance agents to obtain separate license for each category of insurance
products that they plan to sell.
Insurance agents are also required to fulfill a prescribed
course within two years of starting work as an insurance agent. This is part of
their continuous training and development. It helps them keep abreast of the
changes in regulations, tax structures, and other rules that affect the
insurance sector.
Following licensing requirements should be met by individuals
applying for an insurance agent’s license:
1.
Complete and
submit an Insurance Agent application. This must be accompanied by all the supporting
documents. Payment of prescribed fee is necessary. In most states, this
application can be submitted electronically through an internet link.
2.
Knowledge of the
laws that govern insurance business in the country and a particular state.
3.
In some states,
it is necessary that the prospective agent be sponsored by an insurer.
4.
The agent must
sell policies pertaining to the license granted to him / her by the regulator.
5.
It is necessary
that the insurance agent is not involved in any activity or business that will
in any way jeopardize his/ her integrity or competence
Insurance Agents’ Certification
There are many
certifications available for prospective insurance agents allowing them to
understand the intricacies of this business. They also get to understand that
specific benefits of each kind of insurance allowing them to convey the same to
prospective clients.
The most widely
known certification program is known as Certificate in General Insurance. This
certificate covers the basics of insurance.
There are
institutions that offer courses allowing individuals to prepare for their
licensing tests. Some insurance companies also offer these courses and cover
all types of insurance including life, health, property and Miscellaneous etc.
Another good thing about these courses is that they allow you to become
familiar with the current regulations.
The Final word
Insurance is a
fast-growing sector. Young people at the initial stages of their careers have
realized the great potential offered by this field.
Since, licensing
is a mandatory requirement, anyone who is interested in becoming an insurance
agent must know how they can obtain this license.
Once you have
the license, you can commence working as an insurance agent.
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