Insurance Career Information

An Insurance Career

Becoming an Insurance Producer
What a challenging, rewarding, and lucrative career path to take! Insurance is one of the largest and most important industries in the world. As an insurance professional, you will be responsible for helping protect the basic economic needs of individuals and families.

As a producer you'll help analyze and explain how life insurance, health insurance, annuities, disability income, and property and casualty insurance can help people meet their own financial needs and those of their loved ones. Your sound advice and practical solutions will show clients how to live in security and with peace of mind.

While an insurance producer does sell insurance, it's far different from selling tangible products, such are cars or refrigerators. Insurance policies offer something that cannot be seen or touched: the promise of security and protection provided.

Find out if an insurance career is right for you

Changing careers can be an emotional roller coaster...do I have what it takes...am I too old...am I too young...what is it going to cost me? Experts agree: Gaining as much knowledge as you can before taking the plunge will better prepare you to succeed in the long run.

Characteristics of a Successful Insurance Producer's Career

Those who excel in insurance tend to be:

• At ease with many types of people
• Skilled negotiators
• Professional and dedicated to customer service
• Detail-oriented
• Computer-savvy
• Driven by high personal goals
• Well connected in their communities
• Independent and self-motivated
• Comfortable with daily variety

A Day in the Life of an Insurance Producer

As an insurance producer, you're licensed by the state to sell insurance policies, collect premiums, service accounts, and sustain a committed relationship with clients. On a daily basis you will process applications, premiums and other paperwork.

For the client, you will analyze his/her needs, recommend the type and amount of insurance necessary, prepare the application, and send it to the company for review and approval. For the company, you will act as their "field underwriter" by determing if an applicant is acceptable to the insurer.

After client becomes insured, your ongoing duties will include servicing their changing needs. You will advise them of necessary coverage changes brought on by the addition of childre, home remodels, vehicle purchases, the onset of old age, and hiring key employees.

Starting Out

Selling insurance offers a lot of choices. You can licensed in many different "lines" of insurance, such as:

• Life
• Accident and Health
• Property
• Casualty

As there are different types of insurance lines, there are different types of insurance producers. You can work as an "independent producer," free to represent many insurance companies, or as a "captive" or "exclusive" producer representing only one. Regardless of what type of producer you become, you will hold a position of trust, honesty, and responsibility.

Unlimited Earning Potential

In today's insurance industry, some positions pay solely salaries, solely commissions, or a mixture of both. Earnings vary according to geographic area, specialization, market conditions, and contacts.
Most importantly, the effort you put in- day in and day out- determines how much you bring home. It's simple: The harder you work, the more you make. The sky's the limit!