When is the best time to get into the Insurance field?

[Soaringagent]

The best time is when you can make a commitment for the long run.

 

[xrac]

.....Is it possible to start right out of college?

YES

.....During college?

YES

.....With no college?

YES

You sound like a sharp young individual. Talk to all the major Life companies (NWM, NYL, Guardian, MM, NYL, Metlife) and all of the large independents. Places like Western Southern or Combined are also great places to learn. See if anyone offers an internship, has any special programs for someone like you, or will work with and train you. This process in itself with be very educational for you. Of course, my perspective is from the Life side. I am sure you can do the same thing with the Health side.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Actually...I think it is too early to be thinking about an insurance career. A lot can happen between now and the end of your senior year. Other interests etc...

Just concentrate on your GPA and have some good clean fun. There's no rush to plan a career in insurance.

 

[ScotinOH]

Xunal, I'd get started now in an entry level sales postion. When you graduate and start interviewing with insurance or other financial services companies, they will love to see sales experience along with the college degree. When I was starting out of college I played it safe and had a salary job. I was afraid of sales and straight commission. I was "forced" into it when my salary job was eliminated and I had to go straight commission to stay with the company. I would never turn back. It's great being paid for hard work. If you can sell you will always have a job. Best of luck to you!

 

[NewHealthStrategies]

Read the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad......Robt Kiyosaki's book:
Cash Flow Quadrant
.........and you'll find some amazing things that they didn't teach you in school..... like why becoming an employee may not be a smart thing (rich dad speaking) to do.

 

[norcalinsurance]

Read the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad......Robt Kiyosaki's book:
Cash Flow Quadrant
.........and you'll find some amazing things that they didn't teach you in school..... like why becoming an employee may not be a smart thing (rich dad speaking) to do.

I agree. Truly absorb what the Rich Dad Poor Dad books explain. They are amazing, and I would say it's safe to say that almost every single person who is successful has followed the teachings of that book, whether they've read it or not.

Read it!! And have fun now, while your still in college, just don't do anything that's gonna mess up a DEEP background check. In CA here, I had to pay $800, give fingerprints and a cavity search (j/k) to the FBI to do a complete background check before I received my P&C & Life Licenses. Keep that in mind when you're partying!

 

[Insurance Phoenix]

Hello all-

I am a 20 year old college sophomore. Lately I've become very interested in Insurance, and been doing a bit of research.

It appears (judging by the posts on this forum) that most of the people who are deciding to change careers into Insurance come from a background of accounting, real estate, etc. with quite a bit of experience.

Is it possible to start right out of college? During college? With no college?

I love working with people, numbers, and selling things. Insurance seems like a natural field for me to be in...but is it possible to start with no background experience in any of these fields (basically, anyway...)?

Thinking out loud here, but I've got a sort of Pros/Cons list set up...bear with me, please...

During my research, I've come across things that make it seem like this is a perfect time to "join in":

1) Being hired by a large firm that gives training, but it seems that they don't make very much. This is fine with me, as (being 20) I don't have a ton of living expenses.

2) It seems to take time to really get things going. Judging by posts I've read here, being a "captive agent" for a period of time is preferable to most people....with later moving on to an independent position.

3) I'm already in school, so taking classes in preparation of the necessary exams won't be a big deal.

But then, sadly, there are the Cons:

1) I do need to make SOME money to pay for rent, bills, etc.

2) I have no experience in this field. Will companies be willing to hire me?

3) Will I need to wait until I get my bachelor degree before really diving into this business?


There are other points, of course, for both sides....but those are the ones I've been thinking about mostly.

I'm also going to talk to my personal agent later on during the week...but looking at people's posts here on this forum, the amount of knowledge here will surely out shadow any single persons experience.


Thanks for taking the time to read my lengthy description, and answering.

Finish college and get your degree, first of all. Don't do anything until that has been accomplished.

There are lots of "captive" carriers willing to hire a new college grad. Avoid Farmers Insurance IMO. The positive to working for a captive carrier is you can make money while getting the training and insurance education. I could not advise you to simply "use" them with plans on jumping ship. I worked with a captive for 7 years and jumped to the independent side, but that was not my intent from the outset. When working with a captive you will find more demands on you in areas you may not want, commission structures that can change at their whim, and the basic corporate stuff you find anywhere. Going independent might be tough for someone with no prior experience and no book of business. Not impossible but more difficult.

 

[1life]

Well it is great to hear about other young men thinking about this industry. I am a sophomore in college as well. I actually just got my Life and Health license in Dec. of 2007. I have established a direct relationship with Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Aetna so far. So far I have been focusing on health insurance and I only have a few accounts right now. It is a little bit more difficult to start a business while still in college, but I know I can do it. I was living off of savings and building my business for the past couple of months, but it has proven to be difficult while going to school full time.

I have one more week of school before summer break so I am excited to work more. But at this point I getting low on money and it is expensive to run most marketing campaigns, so I am in the process of looking for another job to pay the bills. So I thought about looking into a captive agency, but that would require me to quit school. I wish I could find an internship or something so that I could work on my business on the side. But that might be a conflict of interest. So anyway I just thought I would let you all know what I am doing and if you have any advice for me. I have always wanted to have my own business and I love the industry.