A Plus Insurance, Now in 34 states!
How To Become An Auto Insurance Agent
3 Big tips for beginning your career with Insurance
A Plus Insurance, Now in 34 states!
How To Become An Auto Insurance Agent
3 Big tips for beginning your career with Insurance
Table Of Content: Becoming An Auto Insurance Agent
Where to Begin On Your Journey to Becoming an Insurance Agent
How Hard is the Insurance License Exam?
Taking Your Personal Lines Insurance Exam
Where to Begin On Your Journey to Becoming an Insurance Agent
When I decided to become an auto Insurance agent, my first thought was, can I do this? All I have ever done for work was labor jobs, from waiting tables to cleaning houses. I was extremely nervous to get started. Now that I have been selling policies for a while now, I of course can look back and say, “that wasn’t so bad.”
So where should you begin? In this article, I will take you through the parts of the process that made me the most nervous. However, you will see how becoming an Insurance agent isn’t so difficult.
What is your situation? Are you learning on your own or is a particular agency walking you through the process? Regardless, the very first thing you need to do is become licensed to sell auto insurance in your particular state. To do that you must first pass the licensing exam. Each state has different requirements and steps you must take. This brings us to the studying process.
Where to Begin On Your Journey to Becoming an Insurance Agent
When I decided to become an auto Insurance agent, my first thought was, can I do this? All I have ever done for work was labor jobs, from waiting tables to cleaning houses. I was extremely nervous to get started. Now that I have been selling policies for a while now, I of course can look back and say, “that wasn’t so bad”.
So where should you begin? In this article, I will take you through the parts of the process that made me the most nervous. However, you will see how becoming an Insurance agent isn’t so difficult.
What is your situation? Are you learning on your own or is a particular agency walking you through the process? Regardless, the very first thing you need to do is become licensed to sell auto insurance in your particular state. To do that you must first pass the licensing exam. Each state has different requirements and steps you must take. This brings us to the studying process.
How Hard is the Insurance License Exam?
The Studying Process and Study Method
If you study strategically, it’s more manageable than you think! First, It’s very important that you choose the correct study materials and study method. We personally preferred using A.DBanker & Company.
- To become an Auto Insurance Agent, you must select the state in which you will be selling insurance.
- In our case the state is South Carolina. Please note that exams will vary from state to state.
- The next part of the process on how to become an auto insurance agent: Choose Property and Casualty, this will enable you to study to become licensed to sell not only auto insurance, but home insurance, RV, motorcycle, renters, etc. that’s Auto Insurance.
- Now that we have established the material, let’s focus on how you should study. You are given several options.
- Online course: This is great if you want the freedom to choose when you want to study, and not feel pressured to commit to certain dates to take the course. The most basic version gives you access to simulated licensing exams, digital study manuals, and more than enough to help you pass. For an additional cost, you can add digital flash cards and a web class subscription.
- Web class: If you need a little more structure, you can have a classroom experience with a live instructor. You will need to choose a date for your class, which could be difficult to do if you have a less flexible schedule, but if you want to have a more collegiate experience, this could be the best option for you.
- Self Study: This is the cheapest option, so if you are going for the most budget friendly choice, this is the one for you. Also a plus, you can go completely at your own pace. This might be a more difficult option if you need a little more structure and discipline to motivate you to study.
- Once you pick your study method, be sure to carefully select your line, as you will be given the options below. SC Personal lines is an easier and shorter exam that is focused on selling personal auto, home, renters, and other personal vehicle insurance. The SC Property and Casualty option is more extensive and goes into more depth about business liability.
Insurance Agent Exam: Best Tips
The exam is not the hardest test you may ever take but it requires diligent study to prepare for it. Choose the method that best fits your study style. It’s also very important to give yourself 2 weeks to a month to study depending on your availability and study habits. The test is multiple choice so do your best to memorize the definitions of insurance terms.
Take as many practice exams as you can. The practice exams simulate perfectly the type of questions you will see in the exam. In between study sessions, use flashcards to help you memorize the information. The best tip I can give is to take the practice exams over and over. Then go over the questions you missed to find your weak points.
How Hard is the Insurance License Exam?
The Studying Process and Study Method
If you study strategically, it’s more manageable than you think! First, It’s very important that you choose the correct study materials and study method. We personally preferred using A.DBanker & Company.
- To become an Auto Insurance Agent, you must select the state in which you will be selling insurance.
- In our case the state is South Carolina. Please note that exams will vary from state to state.
- The next part of the process on how to become an auto insurance agent: Choose Property and Casualty, this will enable you to study to become licensed to sell not only auto insurance, but home insurance, RV, motorcycle, renters, etc. that’s Auto Insurance.
- Now that we have established the material, let’s focus on how you should study. You are given several options.
- Online course: This is great if you want the freedom to choose when you want to study, and not feel pressured to commit to certain dates to take the course. The most basic version gives you access to simulated licensing exams, digital study manuals, and more than enough to help you pass. For an additional cost, you can add digital flash cards and a web class subscription.
- Web class: If you need a little more structure, you can have a classroom experience with a live instructor. You will need to choose a date for your class, which could be difficult to do if you have a less flexible schedule, but if you want to have a more collegiate experience, this could be the best option for you.
- Self Study: This is the cheapest option, so if you are going for the most budget friendly choice, this is the one for you. Also a plus, you can go completely at your own pace. This might be a more difficult option if you need a little more structure and discipline to motivate you to study.
- Once you pick your study method, be sure to carefully select your line, as you will be given the options below. SC Personal lines is an easier and shorter exam that is focused on selling personal auto, home, renters, and other personal vehicle insurance. The SC Property and Casualty option is more extensive and goes into more depth about business liability.
Insurance Agent Exam: Best Tips
The exam is not the hardest test you may ever take but it requires diligent study to prepare for it. Choose the method that best fits your study style. It’s also very important to give yourself 2 weeks to a month to study depending on your availability and study habits. The test is multiple choice so do your best to memorize the definitions of insurance terms.
Take as many practice exams as you can. The practice exams simulate perfectly the type of questions you will see in the exam. In between study sessions, use flashcards to help you memorize the information. The best tip I can give is to take the practice exams over and over. Then go over the questions you missed to find your weak points.
Taking Your Personal Lines Insurance Exam
After you feel comfortable with your knowledge of insurance, it’s time to schedule your exam. You will have the option to take the exam remotely or in a testing center. You may also be required to give an impression of your fingerprint before taking the exam.
While taking the exam, the best thing you can do is try to relax. The information is already in your head. But if you start to panic you will lose your focus. Get rest the night before and eat well that day. To give you a general idea of what to expect from the exam. South Carolina rules are:
- You must have a score of 70% or higher
- It must be completed within 2 Hours
- There are 100 questions
- No notes allowed, Pen and paper are provided
- No breaks allowed
- The exam is taken electronically
If you fail you have to wait 24 hours to reschedule. Again, the exam is multiple choice, so when you are stuck on a question use the process of elimination. Give yourself plenty of time to look over your answers. You can even skip questions and come back to them. Once you pass your exam, you can apply for your license!
Taking Your Personal Lines Insurance Exam
After you feel comfortable with your knowledge of insurance, it’s time to schedule your exam. You will have the option to take the exam remotely or in a testing center. You may also be required to give an impression of your fingerprint before taking the exam.
While taking the exam, the best thing you can do is try to relax. The information is already in your head. But if you start to panic you will lose your focus. Get rest the night before and eat well that day. To give you a general idea of what to expect from the exam. South Carolina rules are:
- You must have a score of 70% or higher
- It must be completed within 2 Hours
- There are 100 questions
- No notes allowed, Pen and paper are provided
- No breaks allowed
- The exam is taken electronically
If you fail you have to wait 24 hours to reschedule. Again, the exam is multiple choice, so when you are stuck on a question use the process of elimination. Give yourself plenty of time to look over your answers. You can even skip questions and come back to them. Once you pass your exam, you can apply for your license!
Finding Work as a Licensed Insurance Agent
The type of work you can find depends on what you are looking for. Do you want to work for a specific carrier like Progressive or State Farm? Do you want to work for an Insurance broker authorized to sell policies for multiple carriers? This all depends on you. You can apply directly to different carriers or post a resume on sites like Indeed or Linkedin. In some cases, the jobs will pay for you to be a licensed agent.
Working From Home
Selling auto insurance is something that can easily be done remotely, especially in this post-pandemic era we live in. There are so many great things about working from home. You are in your own environment and you can work in PJs.
However, there can be challenges to working from home. Separating home and work life is important. I found that making my work space very comfortable was important. I took to amazon and Ikea to make a space that made it enjoyable to sit there for 8 hours or more. The point is, to make your space comfortable. Use a decent chair and add a nice plant, fake or real.
You can do this!
A big problem many people have is wondering if they can really become an auto insurance agent. You can! Do not spend time worrying about all the what if’s and their cousins the could be’s. Start with one thing at a time and tackle it head on.
Finding Work as a Licensed Insurance Agent
The type of work you can find depends on what you are looking for. Do you want to work for a specific carrier like Progressive or State Farm? Do you want to work for an Insurance broker authorized to sell policies for multiple carriers? This all depends on you. You can apply directly to different carriers or post a resume on sites like Indeed or Linkedin. In some cases, the jobs will pay for you to be a licensed agent.
Working From Home
Selling auto insurance is something that can easily be done remotely, especially in this post-pandemic era we live in. There are so many great things about working from home. You are in your own environment and you can work in PJs.
However, there can be challenges to working from home. Separating home and work life is important. I found that making my work space very comfortable was important. I took to amazon and Ikea to make a space that made it enjoyable to sit there for 8 hours or more. The point is, to make your space comfortable. Use a decent chair and add a nice plant, fake or real.
You can do this!
A big problem many people have is wondering if they can really become an auto insurance agent. You can! Do not spend time worrying about all the what if’s and their cousins the could be’s. Start with one thing at a time and tackle it head on.
Frequently Asked Questions – How to become an auto insurance agent
How much can you make selling auto insurance?
An average of $3,000 a Month.
Is selling insurance a stressful job?
There is a learning curve like any job, but once you are familiar with Insurance it can be a very enjoyable job.
What are the pros and cons of becoming an insurance agent?
Pros: Relatively easy to get started- with a high pay
Cons: A lot of reading material
Pros: Opportunity to work from home
Cons: Requires self-motivation
Is there an agency fee when you are a broker?
No, In fact, we tend to save our clients money on auto insurance.
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