Would you like to know how to become an insurance agent very fast? Kindly, keep reading to discover 6 simple steps to become the kind of insurance agent you want to be in a very short time.
The thought of starting your career as an insurance agent is very enticing. It is a lucrative job with great growth potential. If you are ready to venture into the world of insurance sales, follow these simple steps:
- DECIDE WHAT KIND Of INSURANCE YOU WANT TO SELL
The insurance policy you sell will determine the kind of insurance agent you will be. There are many types of insurance, listed below are a few common examples
- Life insurance
- car insurance
- Health or medical insurance
- property insurance
- casualty insurance
- Surplus line insurance
- Variable product insurance.
Consider the type you want and write it down before moving to the next step.
- REVIEW AND UNDERSTAND THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
There are general requirements applicable to every state on how to become an insurance agent. They include, among others:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age to become an insurance agent
- Background check: You have to pass a background check. Remember, passing a background check isn’t just about criminal history. Some background checks include verifications of education, work history, and professional licenses.
- Pre-licensing courses: You need to complete all pre-licensing courses for your line of authority, these courses serve as insurance agent training for aspiring candidates.
- Licensing courses: You need to pass-licensing exams. The requirements can slightly vary depending on the type insurance you are taking and your state. The National Insurance Producer Registry has compiled a list of state-specific licensing requirements. Kindly, visit their website for more details
- License renewal: For your license to be renewed you need to continuing education. Renewals vary from annually to every four years and most resident individual renewals have a continuing education requirement that must be met prior to the state accepting the license renewal request.
- DECIDE THE STATE YOU WANT TO PRACTICE AND FIND OUT ITS PRE-LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Picking a state to practice is the next thing to do after deciding the kind of insurance you want to sell and meeting all general requirements. Finding out the requirements is necessary because they vary in each state. The requirements can easily be found on the official website of each state.
- APPLY AND PASS YOUR STATE’S LICENSING EXAMS
After finding out and fulfilling all state requirements for your licensing exams, you can now apply for the exams.
The next step is the write the exams and try to get the scores required by each state to be issued a license. After meeting those requirements, you will be issued a license.
- APPLY FOR INSURANCE AGENCY JOBS.
Now you have been a licensed insurance agent, you are ready to apply at insurance agencies to start working. This is important the fact you must be employed by an insurance agency before you can start selling their insurance products.
- GET APPOINTMENT, FIND AND MAINTAIN CLIENTS.
After an official appointment, you can now start working as an insurance agent. You will have to use the insurance agent training you acquired form pre-licensing courses and previous work experiences to find and maintain clients. Many agents start by selling products and policies to friends and family.
Insurance Agent SALARY
The salary structure of an insurance agent is quite buoyant. They earn an average of about $63,000 annually. The top 25% could make up to $72,490 annually, while the top 10% make up the six figures with about $115,300 annually.
Beginners are most likely to earn in the range of the Lowest 25%, which is about $33,000 annually, or even less like the lowest 10%, about $25,900 per year.
With these few steps listed above, you can fulfill your dream and become an insurance agent.
If you know other means to become an insurance agent, kindly comment below to share them with our readers.
