Whether you own an insurance agency, manage a team or are otherwise employed at an agency, you will need to secure options for continuing education for yourself and your staff.  While general education is suitable for licensing, specified learning opportunities are important to properly educate agents in the lines of business they will be working in. Continuing education can be secured in a traditional classroom setting or through online courses.  

What Options Are Available for Commercial Insurance Classes Online?:

There are several options available for commercial insurance classes.  However, it important that you find the best classes for your agents that allow them to obtain appropriate knowledge that is applicable to the functions of their role.   As you begin your search you will find a variety of commercial insurance classes online, including:

• Online training and continuing education provided by carriers.
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• Virtual learning opportunities for earning and maintaining professional designations through The National Alliance. 
• Online continuing education endorsed by state insurance associations like the Big I and Professional Insurance Agents (PIA)
• Commercial Insurance Classes online through non-affiliated third-party vendors.  

What Should be Considered for Commercial Insurance Classes Online?

There are some important factors to evaluate when reviewing options for Commercial Insurance Classes online:

• Verify that the program is being provided by a trustworthy source 
• Review course learning objectives – Are the topics that are being presented pertinent to you and the staff of your agency?
• Assess the level of the material – Are the courses considered to be introductory, intermediate or advanced?  What level is appropriate for the attendee?
• What kind of technology is required to attend a commercial insurance class online?
• Will the class be instructor-led or self-paced where the employee can log in and attend at a time of their choosing?
• Confirm that the course qualifies for continuing education credit – Not all education is viewed the same in every state.  Be sure to verify that the elected course meets the requirements of the state where the agent is licensed.
• Identify success measures – Is there a test required?   If so, will the exam be multiple-choice, essay, etc.?

*Note – Exams for online courses may require a proctor or another verification process to ensure that appropriate test-taking rules are followed.  Make sure you are aware and prepared to comply with the specified process.

Why choose Commercial Insurance Classes Online?

• Online classes present a wide variety of courses regardless of location.
• Commercial insurance classes online provide flexibility as they can be taken from anywhere an agent can connect to the internet.
• Agents who complete the right commercial insurance classes online are better positioned to analyze the unique risk of each client and advise them on the coverage needed to best address those exposures.
• The agent earns respect and credibility with other insurance practitioners, clients, and future clients.

Final Thoughts

Overall, choosing quality commercial insurance classes online is an essential step for expanding the agent’s insurance knowledge.   This provides the insurance professional with the right information which allows them to deliver comprehensive insurance advice to clients.  A dedication to continued learning is critical for ongoing growth in their role and more rewarding career in insurance.

Check out this article on Total CSR   for more articles and insight on insurance education and training.

About the Author

Justin Goodman has spent the past 20 years in insurance. He is the co-founder and CEO of Total CSR and co-founder and Managing Director of Project 55. By the age of 29, he was recognized as one of the top five construction insurance experts nationwide by Risk and Insurance Magazine. He also was named to Insurance Business Magazine’s Hot 100 and most recently the 2024 Insurance Journal Agent of the Year. Justin has trained over 50,000 CSR’s, account managers and producers through his work at Total CSR. He has a passion for developing the next generation of insurance professionals. When not with his family, he devotes his free time to speaking engagements and advising agency owners across the country.