Career Profile: Insurance Sales Agent

Why Is Insurance Sales a Job of Tomorrow?
Insurance sales is a recession-proof job because insurance coverage will always be in demand. There are many incidents that cannot be predicted, and insurance coverage protects individuals and companies from monetary loss in case an accident occurs. Employment opportunities for insurance sales agents are expected to increase 13 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Insurance sales agents make an average salary of $43,870 annually.

What Does an Insurance Sales Agent Do?
Insurance is bought by individuals to protect them from monetary loss due to an accident, natural disaster or other incident where property or health is damaged. Insurance sales agents can sell policies protecting individuals from automobile accidents, fire, theft, floods and illness. Some insurance sales agents also sell life insurance, which protects the policyholder's beneficiaries in the event of his or her death. Agents maintain client records, prepare reports and help policyholders prepare their claims for the adjuster to analyze. Many agents now also offer additional services, such as retirement planning and selling securities such as mutual funds.

What Kind of Training Do I Need to Become an Insurance Sales Agent?
Although there are no formal education requirements for insurance sales agents, most employers prefer to hire people with a bachelor's degree in business or economics. A bachelor's degree takes four years to complete, and the courses include administration theories and finance. All insurance sales agents must be licensed by the state in which they are employed. Licensure requirements vary by state, but most states have prospective sales agents take several examinations to prove that they are competent to work in the field.