Education and Training

In order to earn an insurance agent degree, you will need to complete coursework in areas such as mathematics, finance, economics, accounting, marketing, business law and business administration. Other courses you may take in order to earn your insurance agent degree include sociology, psychology, public speaking and computer courses. After earning your insurance agent degree, you will also need to obtain licensure within the state where you wish to be employed.

You will also need to obtain separate licensures for the various areas of insurance sales, including health insurance, life insurance, property insurance and casualty insurance. Most states also require taking continuing education courses in order to continue working within the field after earning your insurance agent degree.

Employment Opportunities

After completing your insurance agent degree, there are several different career paths you may pursue. These include:

· Property and casualty insurance agents
· Life insurance agents
· Health insurance agents
· Generalist insurance agents

A property and casualty insurance agent is responsible for selling policies to businesses and individuals that will keep them protected from financial loss due to fire, automobile accidents, storms, theft and other events that may result in property damage.

Life insurance agents sell coverage that provides beneficiaries with compensation after the policyholder passes away. They may also sell annuities to assist their clients with increasing their retirement income.

Health insurance agents are responsible for selling policies to individuals and businesses to help cover the expenses that are associated with medical procedures. They may also sell dental insurance policies as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance policies.

A generalist insurance agent does not specialize in selling just one form of insurance. Rather, the generalists specializes in providing clients with all of the different types of insurance coverage they may need.

Job Outlook and Salary

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for individuals with an insurance agent degree are expected to grow about as fast as the average occupation. The Bureau reports that the median annual earnings for insurance agents in May 2006 was $43,870. Those working for insurance carriers earned a median annual income of $46,210, while those working for insurance agencies and brokerages earned $42.950.