How do I become an insurance agent in california?

Question

im interested in become an insurance agent but i have no idea how!! i live in california and im pretty sure you have to be licensed. However, i dont know how i can get a license and i dont know where! how much is it? if anything..do i need previous work experience in sales?? HELP!!!!!

thanks friends.

Answer 1

You have to pass a test.  Go to your state insurance department website, for details.  Or go talk to a local agent, see if they'd hire you on, after you pass the test, on a commission split basis.

Answer 2

You might want to contact the district offices of Met Life, Nationwide, State Farm, Prudential, Allstate, American National, and others, (not in any particular order) and interview with each. Each company has a new agent training program. Sales expereince is helpful, but not necessary.

Insurance companies like to hire people who are self-starters, and who like sports. You may wonder why sports. This is because sports are competitive, and the most successful agents are competitive-type people.

Insurance companies have contests going on all the time, like Leaders Conference. If you produce so much business, you can qualify for exotic trips and other prizes.

The companies will either train you for the state exam, or send you to a class to prepare you for the state exam.

These companies also start new agents on a guaranteed salary while in training. They also offer group life and health insurance, 401K, and a company paid retirement. (With Nationwide, after a period of time, you become an independent agent, and your retirement would be the company's repurchase of your agency from you.)

I suggest that you interview with several companies, and compare programs and benefits.

After being with a company for three to five years, you may want to become an independent agent (self-employed). Then, again, you might want to just stay and make a career with the company you are with.

Whichever way you go, try to be multi-line. There are more opportunities to write business than with just life and health, or just property and casualty.

Best wishes, and God bless.

Answer 3

Here is a link that answers your question http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0200-industr...

Answer 4

I would like to recommend you some useful infomation here.

http://insurance.online-assistant.info/i...

Answer 5

Here is the website for the California department of Insurance which will explain the licensing requirements: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/

You do not need previous sales experience although it is helpful. The best way to start off is to find a job with a current agent working in the line of insurance that you'd like. Agents are often hiring new producers and many will help you get your license.

Answer 6

L street in Sacramento.. the Department of Insurance.  get the info, pas the test, find a broker or direct writer (allstate, farmers, statefarm) to hire you... and you're off!!!!

You need to know about sales, and about insurance!!!  the test used to be $75 , but I'm old