Insurance Careers Overview
Risk is inherent in each of our lives. Whether it comes with owning a home, buying a car, or just living in general, the possibility of something going wrong is ever-present. This possibility is called risk, and it’s what drives the insurance industry.
Insurance is always in demand because people will always be looking for ways to minimize risk in their personal lives and businesses.
While intangible, the idea of managing risk is not a new concept. Throughout history, the types of insurance offered have expanded in response to new risks. In America, one of the earliest insurance companies was founded in 1752 with the help of Benjamin Franklin.
The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire was created after a great fire destroyed many of the city’s wooden homes. Since then, the market has evolved with the needs of the times, and now covers everything from life and health to cars, homes, and properties — along with other assets such as motorcycles, RVs, and yachts.
Insurance and Retirement
There are clear crossovers between insurance and other industries. Financial advisors often add insurance to what they offer their clients, which lets them build more complete strategies that incorporate retirement vehicles such as annuities, IRAs, and 401(k)s into a long-term plan for protecting their clients’ financial futures. Conversely, many insurance professionals get certified in financial planning to do the same.
For insurance agents and brokers, this is good news. With so many types of insurance to offer, meeting the needs of clients keeps getting easier. As the industry evolves — including new state and federal options — insurance continues to become more accessible than ever.
While no one wants to imagine something catastrophic happening to them or their property, insurance agents and brokers are there to help. By becoming a licensed agent or broker, you’ll join the people who make it their work to help clients protect what they’ve built. Insurance professionals provide a genuinely valuable service to their communities.
Is Insurance a Reliable Career Choice?
Insurance is one of the most stable industries in the United States, offering a wide range of interesting roles, rewarding career paths, and room for professional growth. As long as people continue to live longer, need healthcare, and own cars and homes, insurance will remain a necessary part of everyday life.
Insurance licenses are also more portable than many professions. While each state issues its own license, most offer a non-resident licensing process that makes it easier to extend your career across state lines as it grows.
The 3 Main Forms of Insurance Careers
Today, more than ever, is a great time to get involved in the insurance industry. Many people start with Property & Casualty, but you can also pursue Life, Accident & Health, Public Adjuster, or Title Insurance.
Interested in this career path? The next step is to pick an insurance type.
Become an Insurance Agent or Broker
In New York, you can be licensed as either an insurance agent or an insurance broker. The core difference is who you represent.
– An agent represents one or more insurance companies and sells their policies on the carrier’s behalf, working under an appointment from each company they represent.
– A broker represents the client instead, and can place business with any New York–authorized insurer willing to accept it; meaning their duty is to the customer rather than to a single carrier.
Both are licensed and regulated by the Department of Financial Services, and both are often referred to as “producers.” Their pre-licensing education and exam requirements are similar, though they can vary by role and line of authority. Many professionals start as agents to build product knowledge and carrier relationships, then add or move to a broker license as they grow a client base of their own — and some hold both to maximize their flexibility.
Interested in this career path? The next step is to pick an insurance type.
Insurance Courses
New York Life, Accident & Health Agent Licensing Course
No experience necessary
40 Hours
Get licensed to sell life, accident, and health insurance with our 40-hour course. Learn the products, regulations, and ethics you’ll need to pass the New York state exam.
Course is available via zoom only.
New York Property & Casualty Agent Licensing Course
No experience necessary
96 Hours
Prepare to protect homes, vehicles, and businesses with our 96-hour P&C course. It covers everything you need to pass the New York licensing exam and start advising clients.
Course is available via zoom only.
New York Public Adjuster Licensing Course
No experience necessary
40 Hours
Become a public adjuster and represent policyholders (not insurers) in their claims. Our 40-hour course prepares you to pass the New York state exam and start advocating for clients.
Course is available via zoom only.
New York Title Insurance Agent Licensing Course
No experience necessary
20 Hours
Get licensed to issue the title policies that protect buyers and lenders at closing. Our 20-hour course prepares you to pass the New York Title Insurance Agent exam.
Course is available via zoom only.
El H.
This recommendation is for Garry, one of the Property and Casualty Insurance Broker Pre-Licensing course instructors. He kept class interesting and fun and almost my whole class passed the exam the first time. He really seemed to care about his students and their comprehension of the material as opposed to just drilling the correct answers into us.
Jillian R.
At the time of writing this, I am about 75% done with my classes at REEDC and I am having such a great time that I felt compelled to write a review.
The instructor is very knowledgeable, funny and engaging. When you are there, you genuinely follow the material because it is taught so well.
Todd M.
I have just finished my course and exam here. I cannot say enough about this wonderful place! There is a great concern and devotion on the part of everyone there that your experience is positive and you are happy with your learning. Most impressive was the incredible effort put towards job placement, recruiting, and real world networking.
Jessie B.
The Property Casualty Insurance course was taught by Garry Smalley, a great instructor who engaged the class and made the whole experience worthwhile. Believe it or not, I remember laughing a few times in the class from some of the stories. I just got my license today! Passed on my first try, the course was more then enough if you are willing to study 1-2 hours a few nights a week
Paul L.
Just finished two weeks of classes, and I couldn’t be more pleased. The teacher, Greg is very impressive, having been in the field, and is a wealth of knowledge. He always has time to answer my many questions. I live in Brooklyn, and work in Manhattan, and if I don’t feel like coming into NY on weekends, I can go to their Brooklyn office, which works out well for me.
Susan M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an insurance agent and a broker?
The main difference is who you represent. An agent represents one or more insurance companies and sells their policies under an appointment from each carrier. A broker represents the client and can place business with any New York–authorized insurer willing to accept it. Both are licensed by the Department of Financial Services, and many professionals start as agents before adding a broker license.
Do I need experience or a degree to get licensed?
No. None of our insurance courses require prior experience or a specific degree to enroll. You’ll complete the required pre-licensing course for your chosen line, then pass the state exam. The number of hours depends on the license: 40hr for Life, Accident & Health, 96hr for Property & Casualty, 40hr for Public Adjuster, and 20hr for Title Insurance.
How soon can I start?
Our insurance courses run on a regular schedule and are delivered live over Zoom, so you can enroll and begin right away. Because the required hours vary by line, some licenses (like Title Insurance at 20 hours) can be completed more quickly than others.
Which insurance license should I choose?
It depends on what you want to sell. Life, Accident & Health covers life, disability, and health products; Property & Casualty covers homes, autos, and businesses; Title Insurance focuses on real estate closings; and Public Adjuster lets you represent policyholders in claims. Many people start with one line and add others as their career grows.
Can I sell more than one type of insurance?
Yes. Each line of authority has its own pre-licensing requirement, and the hours don’t transfer between them — so to sell across multiple lines, you complete the education and exam for each one. Many agents build their careers this way, adding lines over time to serve more of their clients’ needs.