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Daryl Said:

What are the pros and cons of becoming an insurance agent for Aflac?

We Answered:

The market for AFLAC is pretty saturated. Many employers are being approached weekly, and then the enrollments in it are very small. It used to be you worked two years before you made any money, but now I don't know how long it could be.

The odds of success as an AFLAC agent are very, very much against you. You are better off learning the insurance biz from an agent that sells many types of coverage, including payroll deduction stuff like AFLAC.

However, if you are serious about getting in Payroll Deduction insurance, be sure to compare their offer to Colonial Insurance, a good company that sells a similar product.

Stay away from United, Midwest, or other "medical" insurance companies that aggressively recruit agents.

Remember, you have to keep your eyes open, or you can really get burned by these commission only companies. Don't let them beguile you with talk about "independence" and "six-figure" income for "hard workers". There is a real psychology of exploitation to these companies that concerns me.

I find that the best Payroll Deduction agents would be successful selling lots of things, especially the types of insurance that a company or employees may need, not just what you want to sell.

You are best off by getting into insurance with the idea of helping your community and serving others. Learn every product you can, and be a dedicated professional in your segment, and you will find the best vendors will come to you to sell their products and clients will come to you to buy them.

Toni Said:

What are the steps to becoming an insurance agent ?

We Answered:

You have to be licensed in your respective state. College helps, but it's not required. A strong entrepreneurial spirit, good organizational skills, and the ability to talk to almost any one is necessary.

Vincent Said:

How do i go about becoming an insurance agent?

We Answered:

You're best bet is to contact a recruiter for the insurance company. Depending on whom you go with - you will need some type of history is sales or insurance to qualify. Although some carriers will appoint anyone who will go on commission only business.

If I were you, I'd try to work for an agent first. Make sure its a career choice thats right for you before you waste your time in the classes. You can obtain your life and health license and your property and casualty license without an agent appointment. However for the SEC licenses (Series 6, 7, etc) you will need a sponsoring carrier. Unless you're selling variable annuities, variable UL's, or mutual funds, you'll only need the L&H and P&C licenses. Good luck.

BTW - if you happen to be in Ohio let me know and I can direct you to a few carriers.

Enrique Said:

Is worth becoming an insurance agent?

We Answered:

If you have a full time job that pays well and you would need to quit that job to work as an insurance agent, then I would seriously think about that decision.

Being an insurance agent is no guarantee to wealth. There are plenty of agents out there who don't even recoup their licensing and testing fees from commissions.

If you have serious doubts about it, then I would back out and consider it another time.

Amber Said:

Becoming an Insurance agent is worth it?

We Answered:

Think twice before jumping from a salary into commission sales. Right now you have money to buy food. With insurance sales, unless you sell, you will starve. It normally takes a few years to just get enough booking to make any money worth looking at.
Remember, selling insurance entails the following:
1) being on call 24/7 the first few years
2) knowing how to cope with the word "no"
3) living on love(as mentioned)
4) having people to sell to, then having these same people recommend more to you, and so on, and so on.
5) being a superb salesperson

Cody Said:

Becoming an insurance agent in Texas?

We Answered:

The weblink below will take you to the Texas Department of Insurance website (specifically to the section on insurance agent licensing procedures and forms). Best wishes.

Lewis Said:

I have a deffered judgment in Iowa does this rule me out for becoming an Insurance Agent?

We Answered:

most of the time when an employer hires someone full time, they will require you to sign an authorization to get your personal records.

ie; credit,

most do this and since this is state farm which is a big company is probably standard procedure. also, if they want to hire you, you will then need to fill out a application, and one of the questions is? how you ever been arrested or had a felony? if so, what was it for?

a lot of companies if you have bad credit or a criminal record, will not hire since they believe you will be a bad risk and with stealing that will set off "red flags". as an agent, you will be handling money from clients and with stealing, they could expose themselves to liability from clients who dispute if money received or paid on their policy.

i suggest you pay off that debt asap. you may want to also contact a lawyer to see if they get this off your record. i believe 2nd degree would still fall under a felony, so you would want it changed to a misdeameanor, so you would answer no to a felony and still tell the truth. or the lawyer maybe able to get it taken completly off if the debt is paid off, but only a lawyer can guide you on this

either way, anytime you apply for a job, this record will be following you and could prevent you from getting a good job, or stuck working for wallmart for minimum wages.

good luck