How to Become a Health Insurance Agent
How to Become a Health Insurance Agent
Do you want to become a health insurance agent? There are several steps that you have to take to be able to sell health insurance. Your state Department of Insurance will have a listing of all of your state specific requirements. Often, each state requires that you complete a certain amount of pre-licensing training. This training is usually available in a classroom, online, or through independent study. When the pre-licensing training is complete, you will have to schedule, pay for, and pass a licensing exam. Most states require that you score at least a 70% on your pre-licensing exam. After you pass the exam, you will have to apply for an Accident & Health producer license. You can often download these applications on your state Department of Insurance web site. The Department of Insurance will usually conduct a background check and then issue your license. College education is not required to be a licensed insurance producer.
In order to maintain your license, you will have to maintain good standing with your state Department of Insurance. You will also have to complete a certain amount of continuing education hours. Usually your license will need to be renewed every 2 years and you usually have to complete 24 hours of continuing education. Continuing education credits may be earned through classroom, online, or self study training. You will often have to pass test(s) to demonstrate your understanding and completion of your continuing education requirements. There are several pre-licensing and continuing education providers available. You need to decide what type of training meets your learning style before you spend the money on the courses.
Now that you are licensed health insurance agent, you need to decide if you want to work for an insurance company as a captive agent or as an independent health insurance agent or broker. A captive agent works for one company and sells only products provided by this specific company. An independent agent or broker is in business on their own. The independent agent is able to sell health insurance products from several companies. The independent agent will often use field marketing organizations to help with contracting with all of the insurance companies. Field marketing organizations also provide back office assistance and marketing help.
A health insurance agent is able to sell major medical insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Medicare products, among others. Each type of insurance product may involve certain requirements and further training before you are able to sell the specific product. Often, as a captive agent and as an independent agent or broker, you will have to purchase Errors & Omissions insurance to protect yourself from professional liability.
Post a Comment for "How to Become a Health Insurance Agent"