How to Become a Home Insurance Salesman

A home insurance salesman works long hours that are often outside of the normal range. However, by providing great customer service and a good insurance product you can establish and grow a business that produces lucrative income for the rest of your working career. Here are some steps that will help you to become a home insurance salesman.

1. Check with the Department of Insurance in your state for licensing requirements. To sell home insurance you are required to have property and casualty licenses, often called P&C license.  Each state requires you to have some type of training and requires testing for this license, but many states now allow you to complete this process online. The Department of insurance can supply you with the information and the cost.


2. Decide between contracting with a company and being an independent agent. While independent agents are able to carry more than one line of insurance, a contracted agent carries only the products of the company that they are contracted with. The benefits of contracting include in-house training, office support and other sales tools. An independent agent is able to offer the client a wider array of products to choose from, often at a more competitive price.


3. Be prepared to work outside of 8am to 5pm. A successful insurance agent meets with their clients at the client's availability. This is very often after the traditional work day. While there will be claims and other paperwork that has to be processed during the day, be prepared to make evening and even weekend appointments to meet with clients.


4. Keep good records. You will need to keep good records of everything. This includes sales records, clients records, tax records, lead contacts, etc. Good records are the lifeblood of a successful insurance agent and make life much easier at tax time or in the case of an audit.


5. Keep up with your continuing education and the changes and trends within the industry. The insurance industry is constantly changing, and you will need to ensure that you are able to offer your clients the latest products on the market to stay competitive.


6. Ask your current clients for referrals. The hardest part of selling insurance is getting in front of enough people that need the product. Referrals from your current clients are warm leads and are the best leads that you can generate. The best part about these leads is that they are free.


7. Look for networking opportunities. Meeting people to get your name and information out there will produce business. Look for opportunities to interact in your community and promote your business at the same time.  These may include volunteer opportunities or joining your local chamber of commerce.