Saturday, May 12, 2012

The Importance of Insurance Continuing Education

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.

Who determines what minimum requirements are needed by agents? This is decided on by each individual state. They also detail what courses need to be taken as well as the minimum number of total credits that must be attained. The insurance commissioner and board of insurance agents look at what topics are of current interest and make classes available that students can take.

Ethics is one of the main courses that is felt should be required each year. There are some people that enter into the profession who take advantage of their customers. They want people to take refresher courses on this subject to remind them of what ethics are and what it means to abuse them. They feel that customers should be able to trust their agents.

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.

If you do a search online you can probably find many places that will offer you courses to complete your necessary license requirements. However, you need to know whether or not they are accredited to teach you. You should check with your state and all other locations where you hold a license to see if they qualify. You do not want to waste money.

If you work long enough you may be able to get an exemption from educational continuing courses. This benefit is only provided to those who have been in the industry for a long period of time or have reached an older age. This is considered a reward for many years of service. Your state may or may not offer this benefit. You will want to inquire and find out.

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 vital for any agent that wants to sell policies to customers. It does not matter what type they are certified in. Courses can be taken in a classroom or online according to their benefit. These must be completed each year and the number needed is determined by the state in which they live and work. Not meet the deadline can result in loss of license as well as income.




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