What is a Life Insurance Agent?

Posted in Life Insurance

February 3rd, 2009

A life insurance agent is a sales professional who can help individuals, families, and businesses find the best life insurance plans for their needs. They must be licensed by the state they conduct business in, and although the process may differ slightly, the proper paperwork must be documented. There is typically coursework to be completed prior to taking the exam to become a life insurance agent, and the agent must have an approved appointment from a sponsoring insurance company.

Although many insurance brokers offer life insurance, there are specialized life insurance agents as that work exclusively on helping individuals find appropriate coverage for beneficiaries. Not only are life insurance agents responsible for selling life insurance policies, they need to prepare reports, maintain records and prospect new clients to build a larger business base. When it comes time to cash in on a life insurance policy, a beneficiary will most likely contact them directly for help settling the insurance claim.

There are life insurance agents, called captive agents, who work explicitly for one company. Life insurance agents that are brokers represent a number of life insurance companies at any given time, and can use their web of connections to find the best life insurance pricing for their clients.

If you are seeking the professional expertise a life insurance agent offers, they can also help you purchase a life annuity or cash-value policy that is designed to provide retirement income and additional funds for a child’s education or other expenses. Many life insurance agents are in the process of diversifying their career experience and delving into the financial industry. After the proper state licensing, some life insurance agents also try to offer retirement planning, estate planning and pension plan assistance.