Online Insurance Course and Class Descriptions

Students who take an online insurance course learn the techniques for selling and providing various types of coverage to individuals and organizations. Online insurance classes are often available as non-credit courses through pre-licensing certificate programs or for credit through some colleges and universities.

Essential Information

Insurance courses typically include the major points covered in state insurance licensing exams, the passing of which allows individuals to legally sell and write insurance policies. Although some of the prerequisites for insurance types are the same, they all have slight differences that vary depending on the type of insurance an individual is planning to provide. At some schools, students can find fully online certificate, undergraduate degree and graduate degree programs in risk management and insurance.

Online Insurance Courses

Below are descriptions of some common online classes in insurance.

• Health Insurance Course: The course includes an overview of what health insurance plans cover and techniques for tailoring a plan to an individual client. This training prepares individuals to work for a health insurance company or to sell health insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance Course: Through this course, students gain experience writing life insurance contracts. They study variable annuity concepts, including double indemnity policies. They also learn about the different types of life insurance policies.
• Property Insurance Course: This course covers the type of personal property insurance available to cover things like homes, automobiles and personal property. Students learn how to assess property value and write insurance contracts that will cover the entire value of the property.
• Disability Insurance Course: Students examine the way disability insurance works, the circumstances under which it is or is not provided and how to write a contract for it. They learn reasons why individuals or businesses object to it and how to counter arguments. Likewise, they learn how to modify a contract to suit an individual's needs.
• Principles of Risk Management and Insurance Course: Students in this class gain an understanding of the insurance industry as a whole. They identify and analyze contracts within various fields such as health and property insurance, as well as learn how industry professionals use those contracts in a complex real world environment.

Online Continuing Education in Insurance: Options and Program Overviews

Learn about online continuing education programs with insurance courses. Get an overview of the program types, requirements and course descriptions available for this field.

Essential Information

Insurance agents can find distance learning CE courses offered through community colleges, private continuing education providers and insurance companies. These are often self-paced online classes that allow students to read educational materials and complete assignments when it fits their schedules. Areas covered in training documents may include current and new insurance laws, specialty terminology and proper documentation methods.

Online Availability	Fully online
Degree Levels Available	Standalone courses
In-Person Requirements	Some states may require agents to take in-person classes to fulfill their continuing education requirements

Continuing Education Courses for Insurance Agents

Examples of specific online course topics for insurance agents can include the following:

• Professional ethics
• Consumer protection
• Life insurance
• Health insurance fundamentals
• Flood insurance
• Commercial insurance
• Annuities
• Homeowner's policies
• Long-term care
• Charitable planning

Online Learning

The format for online programs is fairly standard across the industry. Most include manuals, training materials and an exam. To take the class, insurance agents register for online access to the training materials. They are often able to download the manuals and training documents for future use. Occasionally, these items are shipped to the agent in bound form. The online classes allow agents to read through the educational materials at home or at work. Since most states require agents to keep current with new regulations for their specialty, these materials are kept as a resource once the continuing education course is complete.

Examinations

After reading through the training materials, agents take the exam for that continuing education program. The exam's costs are usually a part of the class tuition. For most continuing education classes, a minimum passing score is required. The state insurance agency or commissioner determines the minimum passing score requirements. Typically, the agent may take the exam three times for the original fee. Failing the class a third time may cause the agent to lose his or her license.

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Continuing Education Information

Continuing education (CE) requirements for insurance agents vary by state. The requirements may also depend on the type of insurance being sold. For example, agents handling property and casualty insurance have different training requirements than those who sell life and health insurance.

Since the licensing requirements for insurance agents differ so widely, agents should verify their requirements with the state's insurance department. Some states permit their agents to take online training programs to meet continuing education requirements while others could require traditional classroom courses.