Description

Determines and sells proper insurance coverage to protect clients, including life, health, and property insurance. Responsible for writing new insurance policies, servicing existing policies, and assisting with claims when there is a loss. Oversees all operations in the insurance sales office.

 

Personal Characteristics and Skills

Must enjoy working with people, working with numbers, and working with legal forms. Must be outgoing and enjoy selling. Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral. Must have self-confidence, self-motivation, integrity, and good work ethics.

 

Job Outlook

Many people still want the personal touch when protecting their possessions. Local insurance agents will always be an important part of any community. Many agents run their own office as an independent business. As entrepreneurs, they create their own markets.

 

Pre-Employment Education and Experience

Math, accounting, and reading skills are necessary to understand and manage all the various aspects of insurance. A college education is usually required with additional education and certification required for insurance agent licensing.

 

Earnings

Income is based on commission of sales and may be in the $60,000 – 75,000 range, depending on market area and products offered. Income is entirely dependent on new sales and repeat business. There is no limit.

 

Career Path

Experience in collision repair is not needed. Claims office experience may help when starting an insurance agency. The most important prerequisite is specific insurance education, a sales orientation, and a desire to work directly with people and their needs.

 

Continuing Education

Advanced insurance education is available through local or on-line colleges and public seminars. Continuing education is needed on an annual basis to stay licensed and some insurance companies offer these courses as well as professional associations, including the American Educational Institute (AEI), the Insurance Institute of America (IIA), and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU).

 

 

 

see where this career fits within the repair process