Thousands of people venture into the insurance business every year. And the demand for insurance agents keeps soaring. Why are insurance agents important? They sell insurance policies and are responsible for the provision of real estate planning services. In most states, you need a license to operate as an agent. And you have to undertake a pre-licensing course to get licensed.
What do you need to become an insurance agent?
Are you wondering how to become an insurance agent? The process is easy, but you must meet a few requirements. First of all, you need a license, a type of certification issued by the IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority). The license is valid for a certain period, and you apply for renewal once the period expires. To get licensed, you must enroll for a pre-licensing course and pass the exam.
You also require other necessary credentials, these include;
- Minimum age of 18 years
- Practical training of over 50 to 100 hours, preferably in a general insurance company
- Qualification of basic education up to the 12th standard
- Good mathematical skills and excellence in sales
- Excellent communication skills
Here’s how to start a career as an insurance agent
1. Search for a legit school
The list of insurance schools is endless. But, it’s critical to join a legitimate insurance college. Conduct an online search for the many insurance schools available. Ascertain whether the institution meets all the requirements to train insurance agents. You don’t want to enroll in a college only to realize that they don’t offer licenses, or you can’t work in your state.
To get the best college, consider things like; approval, student feedback, and cost. The best institution processes the right certifications and is licensed to conduct training in a particular state. The review of the school also matters. Check from the site if there are any opinions from former agents. Feedback from other learners will help you gauge the services offered. It will also help you determine how easy it is to get licensed upon completing your course.
2. Compare the costs
All insurance schools offer different courses at varying rates. Determine how much it will cost you to get licensed in an online college. If you’re on a budget, check whether the insurance school offers any financial aid to learners. Moreover, find out about the requirements for the qualification of the federal state financial aid. Choose a school that offers pre-licensing courses at a reasonable cost, and apply for student aid.
3. Know the state requirements
There are various pre-licensing requirements, and all vary from one state to the other. Some states don’t recognize online insurance courses, and you must attend a conventional school. For others, you can only enroll in continuing online education credits. However, you can register for your pre-licensing course and continuing classes online. The time taken to finish varies between countries or states.
The bottom line
All states demand that you sit and pass your exams to get licensed as an insurance agent. Enroll for classes in a reputed school and have all the right documents before the exam day. These include a military ID, driver’s license, and passport. The best part about insurance courses is that they are flexible.
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