Friday, August 19, 2011

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.

Developed to help people recover from financially damaging accidents, the insurance industry acts by pooling policy payments. When some of its members suffer financial losses due to accidents, money is taken from the pool. Companies may stop selling certain types of insurance, for example flood insurance, if the losses in an area are too high. There are very strict regulations concerning this.

The only people authorized to sell policies are licensed agents. Each type of policy requires that a license be held. Some of the types include life and health or property and casualty. When looking for the required test, look for the relevant number of the test. They are named using numbers, like Series 63 or Series 6.

For financial advisers who will be selling stocks and bonds, another test is required. The Series 7 is a detailed exam that covers all aspects of investing and risk management. It is a very difficult test. Most people study for it for several months before attempting 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.

Take advantage of insurance education so you can continue to take care of your clients. It will help you to refresh your knowledge and help them even better. Check with your locality for the regulations that apply.



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