Whether you own your own agency, supervise a group of people or are employed at an insurance agency, there is a good chance you will need to have been able to provide options for commercial insurance courses. General insurance education will work for certain phases of an insurance agent’s career.   However, as agents develop in their role it is important to provide training that helps them continue to build knowledge within their area of focus.   

What Options Are Available for Agents?:

As you start to research what is available for commercial insurance courses, you will find that they are several options available.   It is crucial that you find the best courses for your agents that provide valuable information that allows them to build on their current insurance knowledge and is applicable to the functions of their role.   As you begin your search you will find:

• Carrier training schools and online continuing education.
• Training from national organizations like The National Alliance 
• State insurance association endorsed education like Big I and Professional Insurance Agents (PIA)
• Non Affiliated Commercial Insurance Courses.  

What to look for in a Course:

There are some key points you will want to look for and evaluate when reviewing options for Commercial Insurance Courses for yourself and the employees in your agency:

• Verify the course is being provided by a credible source 
• Review class learning objectives – Are the education topics pertinent to the needs of you and your agents?
• Determine the learning level of the material – Are the courses introductory, intermediate or advanced?  What level is appropriate for your employee?
• Establish how you will measure success – Is there a test required as part of the course?  If so, is exam multiple choice, essay, etc.?
• Confirm that the course qualifies for continuing education credit – Not all education is credited the same in every state.  Be sure to verify that the elected course meets requirements of the state where the agent is licensed.
• Is the course being held in online or in classroom?  Is it instructor-led or self-paced? – Confirm the agent understands the logistics of either traveling to a class or that the right technology is available to attend online courses.

Why are they so Important?

• Agents who complete the right commercial insurance courses are in a better position to accurately analyze the risk of each client and how those exposures impact insurance needs.
• When agents invest in the right training, they are prepared to advise clients regarding the different insurance options to cover their unique exposures.
• A well-educated agent who shows dedication to bettering their insurance knowledge earns respect and credibility with other insurance practitioners.
• Focusing on the right training helps agents build trust and confidence with clients and prospects.

Final Thoughts

Overall, choosing quality commercial insurance courses is imperative to the continued growth and development of the insurance agent.   This provides the insurance professional the most up to date and useful information so they can deliver complete and thorough guidance to clients regarding their insurance needs.  A dedication to continued learning and training are essential for advancement at work and a more satisfying 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.