by danniesm » Sat Jun 26, 2010 10:25 pm
I am thinking about changing my career and becoming a Insurance Agent. Should I go for my license first then find a job or find a Insurance Agency that will help me get my license and give me a job before I am licensed.
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 07:50 pm Post Subject: Insurance Job
If you are on unemployment and you find a job, NJ will pay for your school. Check it out in your state
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 03:00 pm Post Subject:
Should I go for my license first then find a job or find a Insurance Agency that will help me get my license and give me a job before I am licensed.
Insurance is a field that is predominantly "commission-based" rather than salary-based. As such, it does not truly offer many "jobs" for agents in the traditional sense.
If you have a license, finding a position with an existing agency may be easier, but it can work the other way. However, in most cases, you will pay your own licensing expense which, depending on the state, may include a prelicensing education requirement in addition to the license exam. You could be looking at $300-$600 or more in up-front out of pocket expenses.
There are some organizations that will front those expense for you, or perhaps "loan" you the money to complete the course, become licensed, and begin writing business, from which they will recover their expenses.
With certain companies, you could be hired as a Customer Service Representative, a position that might not require a license. Do well in that position, and they may pay for your licensing and then elevate you to an Agent.
Many banks -- B of A, Citi, Wells Fargo, Chase, others -- are requiring all of their CSRs/tellers to be life insurance and securities licensed. They pay the cost of any prelicensing instruction and exam fees, and usually give you two chances to pass each exam. Once licensed, the license is yours, not theirs, and if you chose to leave and find a position somewhere else, they cannot prevent you from doing that (although you may have to reimburse them for the expenses they paid).
Feel free to ask more questions here, or by "PM" or email direct to me.
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 05:10 pm Post Subject:
Many of the major insurance companies will pay for licensing requirements to varying degrees. Some will hire you, and pay the expense of getting you licensed. Other's will conditionally hire you, and reimburse the expense of getting a license after you've successfully passed and begin paying for business.
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