How to get started in property and casualty insurance?

Question

Any information on what classes to take, how many hours is it etc.
Thanks

Answer 1

You should contact your local community colleges or trade schools to see if they offer the required class in order to obtain your property and casualty (p/c) license.

New York State requires 40 hours of classroom time before you are eligible to sit for the test. Look on the internet for your state's Insurance Administrator's website that should detail your state's requirements.

Once you have your state p/c license, there is no shortage of job opportunities. Just contact your local agencies, or apply online to the larger firms (Allstate, State Farm, etc.).

Answer 2

What area of P&C do you want to get into? Sales? Claims? Underwriting?

Sales - agents sale the policies. Depending on whom you work for pay is commission. This varies with each company. The easiest way to get involved here - is to try and get hired by an agent in your local area to work in their office. You may have to start by just answering phones - but it's a way to get your foot in.

Claims - be an adjuster - you need to be able to think on your feet and have very strong customer service skills. You’re going to be dealing with people when they are going through a bad time and may take it out on you. Usually you need a 4-year college degree - it can be in anything. Usually the larger insurance companies have openings so start looking there first.

Underwriting - usually works in a companies home office or regional office. They decide what risks to accept (which folks they want to insure and which they don’t). This department also develops new policy forms. It's a lot of paperwork. Usually the only folks you are dealing with are agents. Most underwriters don't deal with the public. Again - a 4-year college degree in usually required.

Answer 3

call an agent and ask the requirements. or you can look it up online. go to your state insurance website. it should list all requirements. it varies by state. i took a 1 week class (equal to 40 hrs) and then took the state exam.