As an insurance agent, staying on top of trends and innovations in the industry is critical. Continuous education is also likely required by your license, so it is not something to ignore.
Luckily there are many opportunities for insurance agents to earn continuing education credits — you just have to decide which ones are right for you. Whether you join a membership organization or find informal opportunities online, there is something for everyone.
Read on to learn more about opportunities for continuing education for agents, then reach out to us at Aspen Insurance Coaches for more help.
Continuing Education Opportunities in Insurance
Health insurance and other types of insurance agents have to stay educated. It is important to know what you are talking about when advising your customers and recommending insurance products to help them. Take advantage of these opportunities to learn more. Some may even earn you CE credits:
Join an Agent Member Organization: Lots of agent member associations, like trade groups, offer complimentary webinars and seminars for their members. You can join organizations that make sense for your agency — and check with your accountant to see if you can write off the dues on your taxes. Once you are a member, you can review the group’s list of webinars to find ones that would help you in your job. If you have to earn CE credits, it should be from a class that offers you a new skill or perspective.
Take a Certification Program: You might consider earning an industry designation in your specialty. Do you have a niche you like to focus on? Are most of your clients in one particular industry? If so, there might be an insurance designation you could earn to distinguish yourself as an expert in your niche. And once you have earned the designation, there are likely to be continuing education opportunities to help you maintain your knowledge.
Follow Industry Leaders on Social Media: A great source of informal learning is the discussions on LinkedIn and Twitter. Many risk management and insurance thought leaders, vendors, and carriers have a social media presence. Engage in or just follow their content to learn about trending issues. Clubhouse is growing as a social media channel — join and listen to conversations about any topic, including insurance.
Try CE Programs: The insurance and risk management world is full of resources. There are several companies that offer CE credits in every state. You can purchase access to classes to earn your credits from lots of companies, so shop around and pick one that meets your needs.
Use Your State Resources: Google your state’s resource guide to continuing education credits for health insurance agents. Each state has its own insurance department that regulates insurance in that state. Their website has valuable resources about earning CE credits. Use your state’s site for help in finding more sources of continuing education classes.
Ask Other Agents in Your Network: The next time you are networking with other agents in your area or niche, ask them how they fulfill their continuing education credit hours. You may be surprised and find someone who has an idea that interests you. Other agents are often a good source of helpful tips and resources — and most people are happy to share what works for them. If you meet with other agents regularly online or in person, make this a common question you ask of new contacts. That way, you will have an ongoing supply of educational ideas to keep you fresh.
How Do I Learn More?
To learn more about continuing education opportunities, contact the experts at Aspen Insurance Coaches. Our licensed experts will be happy to answer any questions you have.
