When your dream is to impact change for the people around you in the outcome of a loss, being an insurance agent is for you. It is a fulfilling career that will put a smile on your face every time you succeed in helping someone receive a settlement. Nevertheless, you should have a valid license to receive any insurance company commission after making an insurance sale. Plus, it also shows you have met the license’s laid down requirements, and you are capable of performing the task.
As a property insurance agent, you will sell policies on homes, vehicles, and any other asset that has liability under property damage.
Meet the Eligibility
As a requirement, you should have attained 18 years of age. Minors are not allowed to have an insurance license. Additionally, you should also have a primary residential area in the state you apply to get the license. Alternatively, you can use the primary location address of your business in the state.
You must also complete the pre-licensing education program relevant to your career, sit for an exam, and pass. Furthermore, you should also submit the official documentation with your correct details in your application form. It is also critical to be a law-abiding citizen without illegal acts in some states, which can form sufficient grounds for the license application rejection, suspension, or even reason to revoke your license.
Pre-license Education
The pre-license education criteria for property in casualty licenses will vary from one state to another. For instance, while it will take you 40 hours in Illinois to get your license, you will require 20 hours in Indiana to get the same license. Therefore, research the specific requirements for your state.
The property license course will impact you with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct yourself when selling the policies.
Take the Exam
Passing the examination is a critical aspect of getting the license. Therefore, you can study exhaustively to familiarize yourself with all the coursework available. For instance, you can get print out materials with the information you need. Alternatively, you may also use the online study tools, which have navigable study formats.
After you have your pre-licensing examination and pass, you will get the certificate of completion, which allows you to register for the property and casualty licensing examination. You must score from 70% going higher. After that, you can book for your final exam and make sure to mark the time and location. For the final state exam, you must showcase your certificate of completion and valid documentation to prove your identity.
You can also Google online on the frequently asked questions platform depending on the state you live in.
Remember to get the exam and practice exam questions, which help you prepare for the kind of questions you expect. If you have a hard time understanding a specific aspect, you can request your instructor to help you through the topic.
You must pass it in a specified duration for your examination, depending on your state, after completing your pre-licensure coursework. You will also pay the examination fees, which will differ among states. When you pass the test, you can register under the National Insurance producer registry, which will help your future employers confirm your credentials. Plus, you can also apply for a license in a different state without repeating the process if you have the national registration.
Make the Application
Ensure you fill out the correct details in the application form you sign. Additionally, pre-licensing is mandatory before you apply for your license. It refers to meeting the specific hours on your pre-licensing education and earning certification on your pre-licensing examination.
When you qualify for the license, you can sell different insurance types like auto insurance, workers compensation insurance, commercial auto, liability, or even property insurance. You can also have homeowners as your target clientele.
Furthermore, the insurance license allows you to have multiple selling lines, which diversifies your market and increases your income. In the insurance field, it is known as selling. In this scenario, you can evaluate your clients’ needs and offer life insurance, which they can take up comfortably. You can also go the extra mile and offer them a property policy that cushions them against their assets’ financial loss.
It is also critical to keep your property insurance license valid at all times. Therefore, you may require continuing education training courses to familiarize yourself with the insurance industry’s constantly changing laws. Also, depending on your state, you may have to renew your license after a specified period.