Stay Current with Continuing Insurance Education Credits

By Ed Hulse


Insurance education courses are required to sit for the test and to obtain a license to sell policies. Testing confirms that you understand all the relevant policies and that you are able to meet your customers' financial needs. Each state creates the tests and creates regulations concerning continuing education credits.

Insurance was designed to help people recover from a financial loss due to accidents. It should leave the policy holder in the same financial condition as before the accident, minus any deductibles. Policies with high deductibles are more affordable than those with low deductibles. Since the risk to the company is less because of the deductible, the cost can be lower.

Policy premiums are put into a pool that provides the funds for paying out customers who present valid claims. If there are a significant number of claims, the pool will be reduced. This can cause a rise in the amount required for premiums. In areas that have suffered many natural disasters, for example hurricanes, the sale of policies in that area may be eliminated. Flood policies can be dropped from an area if the company is at risk of losing a damaging amount of funds. There are, however, strict rules that govern when this might be done.

The only people who are legally authorized to sell insurance policies are licensed agents. Each type of policy that is available requires that the agent is tested and licensed to sell it. Any kind of policy, like for life and property policies, requires a test. The names of the tests are referred to by number, for example, Series 6 or Series 63.

Financial advisers who are involved in the stock market and other investment tools must take the Series 7 test. It is a very difficult examination that covers all aspects of the industry. Those who will be taking the test often study for six months or more to pass it. There are courses available to help them to prepare for it.

In addition to the initial licensing tests, agents are required to obtain continuing education credits to maintain licenses. For the most part, each state has its own requirements concerning the number of hours required. The courses are self-study and can be taken online to meet requirements. Your state regulations will let you know what is required.

At minimum, a bachelor's degree is required for potential insurance sales people. They are hired on a probationary basis and must complete the requirements for the licensing within a certain period of time. When getting a bachelor's degree, those who look forward to a career in insurance get a major in business courses. Other courses in public speaking are also very helpful. Daily interaction with customers or groups of customers is mandatory.

Serve your clients better by taking advantage of all of the insurance education available. It is not only for passing tests. It is for ensuring you know as much as possible about the industry so you can provide exemplary service. While similar in content, each area has its own rules for educational requirements.



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