Why Insurance Agents Need Insurance Continuing Education

Posted by Business
By Ed Hulse


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.

Do you know what courses you need to take? Do you know the minimum number of credits required to retain your certification and license? If not, you will need to find out and make sure to complete the requirements before the end of the year. There are many choices that you can take according to your likes and interests.

When a person sells coverage they receive personal data and information from each of their clients. This can be used in a negative manner. The insurance board wants to make sure that this does not happen so they require an ethics course to be taken by each person every year. They feel that this will help to deter agents from making bad decisions whether they realize they are making them or not. Even if you do not know something is wrong is no excuse. An agent can lose their credentials regardless of this fact.

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.

How do you know if the school that you are interested in is a valid one? You do not. This is why you should always contact to inquire a list of schools that you can attend local, or online that are approved. Many have discovered too late that courses which were taken would not be given credit.

Is it possible that you might not need to take courses? Is there an exemption available for your state? To find out you should ask the insurance board or commissioner. They can advise you on what the current regulations are to opt out and if you meet them.

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.

Insurance continuing education is needed by agents that want to stay current on events happening in the insurance industry. This may also be needed if you want to expand into other related fields and broaden your customer base. This cannot be done unless the requirements have been met.




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