So you want to train to become an insurance sales agent. When it comes to training for your insurance sales license there are three ways you can go about it:

1. Community college
2. Training through industry employment
3. Online or library resources and books

Insurance is a financial services product which allows clients (insured’s) to purchase a policy which is an agreement between the insured and the insurance company (insurer) to cover the cost of a specific loss as written in the insurance policy.

The insured pays a monthly or paid in full fee (premium payment) to the insurance company to keep the coverage. The insurance company will only pay out in the event of a claim. The insured is simply paying for peace of mind even should they never use their insurance policy.

Purpose of Insurance Sales Agents

It’s pretty simple what a sales agent does, the sales agent sells insurance policies.

Other than the obvious there are many different types of policies that will range from auto, home, health, life, etc… There are some specific rules that surround who can sell insurance and for that reason everyone selling insurance has to go through licensing to be an insurance agent or an insurance broker.

College Learning

At the community college level there are a wide range of insurance sales training programs available. They are most typically around 6-8 months in duration and are even offered at night or on the weekend. The schedules are usually tailored to those already working so they can receive their training at night and still maintain current employment.

Insurance policies can be very complex in nature and for that reason it’s essential to understand the entire group of terminology that’s specific to the insurance industry in order to properly explain insurance to the potential clients.

Industry Employment

The most common way to get your insurance sales training before the licensing test is going through an insurance company as an employee. Training programs generally go around 6-8 weeks of full-time employment and there is an exam at the end usually to prepare you to go to take your licensing test. Getting your training done in this manner really works to set you up for success.

Getting your training done in this environment puts into practice a combination of a classroom setting with quizzes, testing, reading, group activities, etc… eventually transitioning to sales practice. Every sale agent will practice their sales pitches. Knowledge only goes so far if you don’t know how to sell the product.

Insurance is a complex product and there is a lot of information to absorb; however, through practice, patience and paying attention during your training you’ll achieve everything you could wish to achieve and start selling policies.

Self-Education

You can find a large range of courses online as well as books, tapes and many more resources available to you. Look for both products that are insurance industry specific but also ones that go over the sale of complex products. You’ll not only need the knowledge but you’ll need to know how to sell the product once you get your license.