If you’re seeking an exciting career that helps protect the needs of members in your community, becoming a health insurance agent might be right for you. Read on to learn what it takes to become a health insurance agent and what you can do to start a successful career!

Getting Started

Health insurance agents sell policies to consumers to help cover the costs of medical care and loss of income due to illness or injurymaking it one of the most rewarding careers out there.

As a health insurance agent, you will be placed into the category of agents known as life and health insurers, which is separate from property and casualty insurers. As a life and health insurer, you will have the option of selling life insurance policies in addition to health insurance polices, an option further discussed below.

Your career as a health insurance agent may depend on the type of education you receive. While non-grads should not be counted out, many companies favor individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree from their college or university of choice. And, while more and more colleges are offering courses in insurance, many health insurance agents have degrees in some of the following areas of study:

• Mathematics
• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Economics

• Marketing
• Liberal Arts
• Public Relations

College guidance counselors are a great resource for insurers in training and can help you select courses that will be of help to you in your new career.

Industry Training & Qualifications

While licensure requirements differ from state to state, you will most likely be required to complete certain pre-licensing courses, which provide basic information on various insurance products, state insurance laws and insurance ethics.

After completing any requisite courses, you will need to obtain a license to sell health insurance in your state. If you plan to sell health insurance only, most states have an Accident and Health license that lets you do exactly that. And, while some agents opt to sell only health insurance, the majority if health insurance agents are also licensed to sell life insurance.

Adding life insurance licensure to your credentials may require you to obtain Series 6 or Series 7 accreditation, depending on the qualifications set by your employer. With a Series 6 license, you can sell mutual funds and variable annuities, while a Series 7 license allows you to sell a full range of financial products. For more information on licensure for life insurance, check out our article: Your Guide to Becoming a Life Insurance Agent.

Depending on your state’s insurance law, you may be required to take exams and pay a license fee for each accreditation you earn. Once you’ve obtained a license in your state, passing a licensure exam in another state will not be requiredas long as you provide proof of licensure from your home state and pay the fee to the state in which you want to become licensed.

Begin a Rewarding Career Today!

As a health insurance agent, people in your community will rely on you for financial protection against medical calamities. Start your gratifying career today by contacting the Department of Insurance for more details on selling health insurance in your state!

This information was provided by InsureMe, the leader in online insurance leads for the insurance industry. Since 1993, InsureMe has helped thousands of insurance agents succeed in the insurance business by providing top quality leads that are both detailed and affordable. For more information on InsureMe leads, please visit our agent Web site at agent.insureme.com .