People that sell insurance coverage have different avenues in which they can become proficient. There is health, life, annuity, retirement planning, home, auto, and even disability. With so many types it can be confusing for one person to stay knowledgeable. Laws and regulations change constantly so they need to be able to advise their customers on the latest information. This is why insurance continuing education is a necessary requirement. Courses must be taken on an annual basis. These can now be taken online instead in the classroom. There are ramifications for those that do not comply with completing their educational requirements.
Who determines what minimum requirements are needed by agents? This is decided on by each individual state. They also detail what courses need to be taken as well as the minimum number of total credits that must be attained. The insurance commissioner and board of insurance agents look at what topics are of current interest and make classes available that students can take.
Ethics is one of the main courses that is felt should be required each year. There are some people that enter into the profession who take advantage of their customers. They want people to take refresher courses on this subject to remind them of what ethics are and what it means to abuse them. They feel that customers should be able to trust their agents.
In the past agents had only one option which was to take classes in a classroom. This was in a brick and mortar building. This often interfered with their schedules and prevented them from meeting with clients. Now with the use of the internet students have the option of taking courses online through providers approved by their state insurance board. Many times the cost is must cheaper than in the past. As they work on their own at their own pace they can complete their requirements must sooner and at a cheaper cost.
Although classes are needed to stay an agent, you need to be certain of the school that is offering the subject material. Unless they are approved and have proper credentials you could be taking courses that will be of no value to you. Verify their credentials before you spend any money.
Some states do have exemptions for those agents that meet certain criteria. This often means many required years of service. If you are of a certain age you may also qualify. If you plan on staying in this field it is important to understand what the requirements are for getting exempted.
If you earn money as an agent you do not want to lose all of your hard work and efforts by not renewing your license. This will make it difficult to continuing working at your current place of employment. Your supervisor will not be able to help you if you do not complete your requirements. Some states do not take in account the previous work done or your years of service. They will treat you as someone that has never taken any classes. You will have to start from scratch.
If you decide to become an agent it will be a requirement to have insurance continuing education courses to sustain your license and credentials. You can choose how you want to take your classes. They can be taken online or in a classroom. The allotted courses needed are pre-determined by the state where your license is held.
Who determines what minimum requirements are needed by agents? This is decided on by each individual state. They also detail what courses need to be taken as well as the minimum number of total credits that must be attained. The insurance commissioner and board of insurance agents look at what topics are of current interest and make classes available that students can take.
Ethics is one of the main courses that is felt should be required each year. There are some people that enter into the profession who take advantage of their customers. They want people to take refresher courses on this subject to remind them of what ethics are and what it means to abuse them. They feel that customers should be able to trust their agents.
In the past agents had only one option which was to take classes in a classroom. This was in a brick and mortar building. This often interfered with their schedules and prevented them from meeting with clients. Now with the use of the internet students have the option of taking courses online through providers approved by their state insurance board. Many times the cost is must cheaper than in the past. As they work on their own at their own pace they can complete their requirements must sooner and at a cheaper cost.
Although classes are needed to stay an agent, you need to be certain of the school that is offering the subject material. Unless they are approved and have proper credentials you could be taking courses that will be of no value to you. Verify their credentials before you spend any money.
Some states do have exemptions for those agents that meet certain criteria. This often means many required years of service. If you are of a certain age you may also qualify. If you plan on staying in this field it is important to understand what the requirements are for getting exempted.
If you earn money as an agent you do not want to lose all of your hard work and efforts by not renewing your license. This will make it difficult to continuing working at your current place of employment. Your supervisor will not be able to help you if you do not complete your requirements. Some states do not take in account the previous work done or your years of service. They will treat you as someone that has never taken any classes. You will have to start from scratch.
If you decide to become an agent it will be a requirement to have insurance continuing education courses to sustain your license and credentials. You can choose how you want to take your classes. They can be taken online or in a classroom. The allotted courses needed are pre-determined by the state where your license is held.