How to become an insurance advisor in india

How to become an Insurance agent in India

What is Insurance?

Insurance is a means of security and protection from financial loss. It is a form of risk management, originally used to hedge against the risk of contingent or uncertain loss. An entity that provides insurance is known as an insurer.

Like Star Health & Allied Insurance Company Limited and SBI General Insurance Company Limited insurance company and many more.

A person or entity who buys insurance is known as an insured or as a Policyholder

The insurance transaction involves the insured assuming a guaranteed and known relatively small loss in the form of payment to the insurer in exchange for the insurer’s promise to pay the insured in the event of a covered loss. The loss can be or not be financial. But it needs to be reduced to financial terms. Normally includes something in which the insured has an insurable interest built by ownership and possession and many more. For carrying out the insurance selling we require insurance agents.

Types of products Insurance agent sell –

There are many types of insurance upright in the market. Now One has to choose which upright is most fitting. For one to trade the insurance products, these areas comprehending:

• Life insurance
• Auto insurance
• Income protection insurance
• Property insurance
• Burial insurance
• Surplus line insurance
• Business interruption insurance
• Travel insurance

People usually join particular upright, such as property and casualty insurance.

Presently, One Person can only be linked with one general insurance & one life insurance Company. More, to perform for the exam, person needs to get registered with an insurance company. The company will provide training and license. To become an insurance agent person must know what type of insurance he/she needs to sell in market.

Who is the insurance advisor or agent?

An Insurance Agent is a point of contact with an insurance company for all individuals. They help individuals with insurance products which fully fits for them as per their need and requirement and to collect all the required documentation and support policyholders during the term of the policy. A Person can become an Insurance Agent of any companies’ i.e. for a Life Insurance company or general Insurance company or become a composite Agent.

Types of insurance agents

There are many types of insurance agents.

•  Internal Sales agent: An internal sales agent (in house agent) is usually an employee of the insurance carrier.

•  Captive Sales agent: A captive sales agent is someone that works for one organization or company.

• Independent agent/broker: Independent agents/brokers are general contractors that have individual agreements with insurance companies to offer their products.

 

How tobecome an Insurance Advisor or Agent?

Those who are interested in becoming insurance agents are should register online via IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority in India) portal. Registration needs some forms to be filled and uploaded and payment to be made online. After registration is made, the exam date and timing would be informed to the applicant.

Even the IRDAI website also gives study materials for agents that help them to understand what exactly is included in becoming an insurance agent. The study materials are available in different languages such as English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu and Punjabi.

For many people, becoming an insurance agent can be a productive and hassle-free job. It is likely to decide your working hours and work from home without being stuck to a desk with timing of 9 to 5 job. Retired people, mothers staying at home and others looking to enhance their income can benefit by becoming an insurance agent.

Benefits of becoming an insurance advisor:

•     Start Earning at the Age of 18

•      Be Your Own Boss

•      Creates a Stable Income and Control the Growth

•      Flexible Work Timings

•      Zero Investment Required

 

Eligibility criteria for becoming an insurance agent

When person gets a fair knowledge of what is usually beneficial insurance upright. Then he/she has to know the basic terms these are as follows:

•     Person age needs to be 18 or above.

•     Should be 10th or 12th passed:

•     Urban area- 12th pass

•     Rural Areas – 10th pass

Also, one requires to pass an exam administered by the IRDA -Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.

Every state requires a license for business insurance. An agent will need a divide license to market- life and health insurance, casualty or property insurance. To obtain the license, an agent needs clear pre-licensing courses and quality state examinations.

According to IRDAI guidelines, any individual who wants to become an insurance agent must meet or fulfil the below-mentioned criteria:

An Insurance Agent/POS must have a bachelor’s degree (graduate). However, in some cases, someone who has passed out of school but has vital talent and experience in sales may also be able to become an agent. Therefore, being 12th pass is the least requirement for becoming an insurance agent. To get a license to sell insurance, an individual has to go through a certain training. The number of hours of training required depends upon the kind of insurance the individual intends to deal with.

Procedure to Become an Insurance Agent

Simple Registration Process: To become an Insurance agent, you have to complete a simple registration form available on the website. You can submit the documents specified in the article.

Online or Offline Training: Once you are done with the registration process, you will have to go for online or offline Training of 25 hours. Upon the finish of the training, you will be awarded with a training completion certificate. The training includes all the phases of Insurance Business.

Examination: Further, you will perform a Pre-Licensing Online exam conducted by IRDA and obtain at least – 17 out of 50 Marks. The questions in the examination will be of objective type.

License: Upon passing the exam, you will be given a license by IRDA to work as an insurance agent. Then you will be appointed as an agent.

Documents required for becoming an insurance agent

One would require to represent or Join an Insurance company to become an Insurance Agent. Then apply in the designated format along with financing documents. Documents are:

•     Identity proof- Aadhaar card
•     Address proof
•     PAN CARD copy
•     Some copies of one’s photograph
•     Highest education certificate

 

After all this documentation is completed then only should apply. One will have to know about online training. Once it’s clear than should obtain certificate to grow as an Agent. It takes nearly 60 days from the time of enrol to become an Agent.

    Read About: Know your PAN

    KYC: Definition, how to check its status,

Insurance Agent Salary & Job Growth

Sales workers or employees of any insurance agency or insurance carrier may be paid either of 3 ways: salary, salary plus bonus or salary plus commission.

Typically, the commission is the most basic type of reward for experienced agents. The commission amount depends on the type of insurance and risk covered in the policy and whether the transaction is done is new or renewal of the policy.

On the other hand, the bonus is normally awarded either when an agency meets its targeted profit or particular agent meets targeted sales.

Roles and Responsibilities of Insurance Agent

The insurance agent assists in advertising and sale of insurance products and services to its customers.He/ she must have all knowledge and customer awareness about the markets.

Providing reliable financial consulting services and customer support to the clients.

    Business Development tactics necessitate being tracked in a determined way.

    Well-planned policies and plans require to be attained.

    The promotion of insurance brands requires to have fully illustrated plans.

    Marketing strategies need to be formed and re-formed from time to time. Also, having in mind the customer choices.

  Public-relations structure-activity must be presented to have vital importance.

 

Licensing for Insurance Agent

To become Insurance Agent in India, a candidate should pass IRDAI IC 38 per-recruitment qualification exam. To become General Insurance Agent in India, a candidate should pass the IRDA IC 38 Exam. On behalf of IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), Agent per-recruitment exam is carried by institutes sanctioned by the regulator.

You must enroll yourself with the insurance company you like to be associated with. Only through that insurer, you will be able to appear for the examination. You should complete 50 hours of training from an IRDAI approved training institution to act as a Life Insurance agent. If you are seeking a license for the first time to act as a composite insurance agent, you will have to take 75 hours of training. The exam takes place online. Once you submit the answers to the multiple-choice questions, you will immediately get the result. The insurance license issued to you will stay valid for three years.

IRDA examination fees

•     IRDA Exam fee is Rs.500 for each entry form

•     Required fees and two photos are to be submitted.

 

How to prepare for Practical Training

 

If the applicant is asking the license for the 1st time, He or she must undergo 100/50hrs training in an IRDA certified institution. Following take the Pre-Licensing test to qualify for appealing for an Agency License.

One can get IC 38 Study material for Agents on clicking the link: http://www.irdaonline.org/

Code of Conduct for Insurance Agent

All Insurance agent having license need to stick to the code of conduct specified here:

All insurance agent must :

An insurance agent must represent his/her insurance company. Also, introduce himself/herself.

Display the license whenever ask for.

All insurance agent must not:

 

•     Never trade insurance without holding a legitimate license.

•     Do not misguide the candidate’s overall insurance services.

Tips to become a successful Insurance Agent

To become an Insurance agent, and get success in the insurance files. One need to modify themselves from others to do so one wants to retain the following things in mind:

Work on good salesmanship

Even though insurance agents are giving a service to customers and clients, they are salespeople by kind. Being agents earn strong sales skills and learn the method of acquiring, training, and keeping quality customers. This might need visiting seminars or experiencing a professional training program in sales.

Produce a Powerful Work Ethic

The insurance industry is competing and one may be running individually for a big portion of the day. One needs to acquire a great work ethic to be proactive when attempting out new customers. Also, closing sales and growing relationships with clients and business experts. Prioritizing one’s time and keep a great work ethic will take one far throughout their career.

Determine your market

One needs a plan to target the best candidates and try out new customers in the top markets. Take the time to analyse the market and generate a strategy so by obtaining the greatest use of their time. Whether one is out on a sales call or managing a presentation to potential customers. One need to have a wide understanding of their customer’s requirements. What market is best to trade insurance? And many more questions like this.

 

Author by – Asif Meghani