How to Become an Insurance Agent

A successful insurance agent must be an excellent salesperson with an outgoing personality. The agent must also possess superior mathematical skills and constantly keep up-to-date on any changes within the insurance industry.

Things You'll Need

• College Catalogs And Applications
• Computers
• Insurance Software
• Online Career Search

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the insurance field. Life, health, property and liability insurance are the areas in which most agents currently work.

2. Receive a bachelor's degree in business or economics. Insurance companies prefer to hire individuals whose academic background includes courses in finance, math, accounting, economics, business and public speaking.

3. Become proficient with the computer software used by the insurance industry.

4. Work part time for an insurance agency while you're in college. Ask your guidance counselor if there are any agencies in your area that have training programs for college students.

5. Expect to take your state's exam for the mandatory insurance license after an agency hires you. Classes for the exam are offered in pre-licensing schools of insurance agents associations and in offices of some insurance companies. Make sure you will meet all the licensing requirements of your state.

6. Be prepared to take continuing education classes for years to come. Many states require these on a regular basis.

7. Obtain certification to further your advancement within the industry. By taking intensive courses and examinations after you have had considerable experience as an agent, you can obtain the highly respected designation of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter.

Tips & Warnings

• Realize that insurance agents can be paid a salary, a salary plus a commission, or just a commission, depending on the type of work they perform.

• Expect to work occasional evenings and weekends, especially when trying to sell policies to new clients.

• Be aware that you will be legally liable for any mistakes or omissions you may make. If you choose to be an independent agent, you will have to purchase your own liability insurance.