What are first steps in getting into the insurance business?

Question

I want to start a new career, and insurance is a great field. I have no experience where should I start?

Answer 1

I was an insurance agent at one time and had no success with it.  The first step would be to evaluate if this is the right opportunity for you.  You will have to solicit face to face and even go door to door at times.  I was not comfortable with this, especially since it is all commission based and I had to pay for childcare.

I now work for a health care discount company and wish I had of found them before spending hundreds of dollars on getting licensed, buying new clothes, paying for childcare etc since it is home based!  I call all clients (who request information so no cold calling) from home and do all business on the internet!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Insurance is a great career choice.  I tell everyone that starts to work for us that if they can learn it and learn it well they would always be able to find work!   My first question to you would be 'are you detail oriented'.  Be honest - if you aren't this field is not for you.  Whether you work in a paper environment or a paperless environment details, notes, records will always be an important part of the job.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

based upon your status,I believe you should find something useful here.

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

Answer 4

I currently work for an independent agent. I actually anwsered an ad in the paper for help. However, I had to take the property and casualty insurance producers class to get my license. The agent paid for my class but a lot of people in the class did not already work for an insurance company. They were getting their license first to better their chances of getting a job. I signed up for my class at my local community college. It was around $260. The test itself was $70 for each time you had to take it. I would suggest starting out working for someone else. This way you can learn everything. Then you can decide if you would like to try and become an independent agent. I have only been working at an insurance company for 4 months and I have learned so much. It is hard work, but I love it. I am much happier working for someone else then trying to run my own. I know that a lot of people fail and with Nationwide, if you do not make your plan then they will yank your agency and you will have to pay back the money that they lent you to get you started. Try going around to local agencies, checking the newspaper....We sell mostly nationwide and I think that is a great company. You might have to start out making a little less, but eventually if you work hard you have the opportunity to make as large of a salary as you would like!

Answer 5

You should get licenses in what ever area of insurance you want to sell.  You can do a search on line for an insurance school in your area or on line.  You will need to study the course material and take the state exam to get licensed.  In the meantime, see if a local agent will sit down and talk to you about their day to day job.  The ups, downs, etc.  Also, take into count the financial side of the job.  When the economy is bad (like it is now) your salary may not be so great if you are paid strictly by commission.  Good luck.

Answer 6

Go to a local, independent agent, and tell them you're interested in the business - ask them if you can answer phones or file or something, and just hang out there a day or two, to learn about the business, and if you want to get into it.

Or, you can get a job in an office like that - and they'll teach you what you have to do.  

That's the best place to start.