How Do I Become an Insurance Sales Representative?

As an insurance sales representative, you likely will assist individuals and businesses with all of their insurance needs. To be successful in this career, you might need extensive knowledge of insurance offerings as well as public speaking skills, customer service skills and research skills. If you want to become an insurance sales representative, you might need to complete a degree program in business, economics or insurance; complete training and qualification for a license; and obtain a certain type of certification.

Completing a training program or earning a college degree in business, economics or insurance might be necessary to become an insurance sales representative. Although this is not always necessary, it generally is viewed as a great help in obtaining a job in the insurance agency. Some colleges offer specific programs in insurance, allowing an individual to study exactly what he or she might need to know to become an insurance sales representative. In addition to on-the-job or in-school training, sales experience would be beneficial because a big part of your job will be selling insurance products to clients.

In many localities, passing a training program specific to that locality or a particular business or brand is necessary in order to obtain a license to sell insurance. These training programs vary in length and might cover any brand-specific information as well as any regulations involving selling insurance in your locality. Upon completion of this type of training program, you will have the opportunity to test for your insurance license if one is needed to sell insurance in your area.

Many insurance sales reps choose to complete extra training courses for certification in addition to obtaining the required training and licensing. These certifications range from certification as an advanced seller in specific types of insurance, such as health or life insurance, to certification as a financial planner. In addition to gaining specialized knowledge and credentials, you also will make yourself attractive to prospective employers and clients by gaining additional certifications.

Although there are specific training programs that should be completed to become an insurance sales representative, you might also choose to improve your skills in customer service, public speaking and research. As an insurance sales rep, you will be interacting with a variety of clients in various situations, so customer service skills are advantageous. If you will be working with corporate clients, you might be called on to give presentations to groups of individuals, so public speaking skills might be helpful. You might also need research skills to help you determine the answers to clients’ specific questions.