Here’s a fun fact – you don’t need to have a degree or be a sales wizard to become a licensed insurance agent. You need a tool belt of soft skills, a passed state insurance exam, and the backing of supportive upstream agencies or carriers.
Soft Skills
Clients want to feel like they are talking to someone, not just a salesperson. When selling anything, you need redeeming qualities and not just a sales script to follow. You’ll need to connect with people you don’t know well about their health insurance needs. Ask what’s important to them in an insurance plan without just placing value solely on the financial aspect.
Solid communication is important when working with clients. Knowing when to follow up and how to maneuver different scenarios makes you look prepared and that your clients are important to you. If a client is hesitant, reassure them that the choice is theirs and you will follow up with them later in the week. When following up, remember their feelings and ask how they are now. Show that you care and aren’t just trying to make a sale.
It also must be understood that the market isn’t coming to you. You must put yourself out and let people know what you offer.
Exams and Licensing
Now that the soft skills are covered let’s talk about the license. You will need to be licensed in the state you are selling in. This means you can sell in multiple states if you get licensed in each of them. Before you can apply for your license, you must take and pass exams based on the insurance you wish to sell. There are exams for assortments of Life, Accident, and Health, along with those specific to Property and Casualty and more. These will all vary depending on state regulations. You can find study resources through your state’s department, online retailers like Amazon, or other educational platforms. While not required in some states, enrolling in an exam prep course for a structured learning approach could be extremely beneficial, depending on your learning style.
You can submit your license application after you have successfully passed the required exams. You must answer each question completely and honestly to be considered. Some fees will also come with your license, and they will also vary depending on the state and types of licenses.
Getting Contracts
Alright, you did the work and got your license. Now, it’s time to secure contracts in the industry. There are FMOs (Field Marketing Organization – Fidelis), aggregators, or MGAs (Managing General Agents). Additionally, you can directly work with carriers (Humana, UHC, Cigna). The choice is yours, depending on the type of work lifestyle you wish to have, working under an agency or being independent with direct carrier contracts. No matter the route, make sure you pick a company that is devoted to its agents and their betterment.
Have questions or want more information on getting started? Contact your local Fidelis Sales Director today!
Never Miss an Update by Joining Our Mailing List and Following Us on Social Media!