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To become an insurance agent or underwriter, one must obtain licensing in their home state and non-resident licensing for any other state where they will be selling insurance. If you work for an insurance agency or company, they may completely cover the cost of your studies, testing and licensing fees. The compliance department will handle your resident and non-resident licensing arrangements. If you are interested in becoming an insurance agent, here are the steps you need to take to obtain the proper licenses.

1. Determine your state-specific requirements for obtaining an insurance license

Call your state’s department of insurance or visit their website to find out which courses are required, what pre-certifications are needed to qualify for testing and information on background checks and filing fees needed in order to obtain an insurance license. Each state has their own specific requirements for both resident and non-resident licensing.

2. Choose the type of insurance license you need

Licenses are required for all lines of insurancen, including Life, Accident & Health, Property, Casualty, Personal and Surety Bail Bonds. Each line of insurance carries specific educational requirements. Upon determining which licenses are needed, you can then start the required coursework needed in order to test for an insurance agent license.

3. Complete all required pre-licensing education

You can obtain the necessary education through classroom studies, self-study, and any pre-licensing courses offered by your state. In order to test for an insurance license, in Ohio for example, one must have a Course Completion certificate before they can take the insurance license exam. See the resource links at the end of this article for websites that provide insurance courses that meet all states’ licensing requirements.

4. Determine where and when you will be taking your insurance licensing examination

Some states will allow testing to take place outside of the home state. Dependent upon your state, you may have to pay for your testing at the time of scheduling. When scheduling your examination, you will be given a list of items needed at the time of the examination.

5. Take the examination



Follow licensing and testing requirements to the letter. If even one detail is missed or ignored, you can be prevented from taking the examination and will lose any fees that you have paid. Arrive at least 30 minutes early, and bring any pre-licensing certificates, at least two forms of identification (driver license, birth certificate, etc.), and a credit or debit card to pay for any background checks/fingerprinting services not previously completed. Most licensing examinations are administered on computer and are monitored by video camera and by a testing monitor.

6. Complete the Uniform Resident Agent Application



After successfully passing the licensing examination, you can then complete the Uniform Resident Agent application. Most testing facilities now make your status available shortly (within minutes) after you have completed the examination. Forward results, completed application, background checks and application fees to the Department of Insurance in your state. Once your application has been processed, you will receive your official license via postal mail.

After obtaining your insurance license, your state of resident will also require that you complete a specified amount of continuing education courses. Not only does continuing education keep your license active, it also assists you in staying current with insurance industry trends, new laws and regulations, and new insurance products. To truly build upon your talent and to further your insurance career, you need to consider obtaining licenses for several lines of insurance. This is especially true for anyone seeking to become an independent agent that can sell multiple lines (property/casualty/personal/commercial, etc.) The Insurance Institute of America provides continuing education courses, and also programs that add professional designations to your credentials. These designations are important tools in building a professional insurance resume, and can also help you to choose a specialty within the industry. Some of these designations are:

* AAI Accredited Adviser in Insurance

* AFSB Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding

* AIC Associate In Claims

* AIS Associate in Insurance Services

* API Associate in Personal Insurance

* ARM Associate in Risk Management

* AU Associate in Commercial Underwriting

* CIC Certified Insurance Counselor

Once you have obtaining licensing, and continue to work towards the assorted designations, your options increase within the insurance industry. Even if you should decide that insurance is not for you, your education and licensing can help you obtain positions in other fields such as risk assessment/loss control, security, consulting and much more.

Here are some websites that will assist you in learning more about licensing, and education for the insurance industry:

Computer-based Testing Solutions for Insurance Continuing Education

Insurance Continuing Education-WebCE

Insurance Institute of America

Content Source: Insurance: What it Takes to Become a Licensed Agent - Bukisa.com

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Learning about Re-Financing Online

Many homeowners find the Internet to be very useful during the re-financing process. The Internet may be useful because it provides the homeowner with a wealth of information, because it provides the ability to submit loan applications and receive estimates online and because makes it easy for homeowners to consider complicated mathematical equations for a variety of options with ease. While the Internet can be a homeowner’s best friend it can also be the homeowner’s worst enemy. Homeowners who are using the Internet to perform the majority of their re-financing research should be aware of the potential problems associated with finding information online. Additionally, this article will provide the reader with useful information regarding the types of information they may find on the Internet as well as tips for selecting reliable Internet resources.

Exploring the Internet

Whether you refer to it as the Internet or the World Wide Web, there is no denying the way the Internet has changed our society. Just a few years ago, the process of re-financing was largely done during banking hours by meeting directly with financial advisors. However, this is no longer the case.

The major advantage young homeowners have over their parents or grandparents is the ability to learn more about re-financing options quickly and even receive quotes online in a matter of minutes. While the process of re-financing still involves elaborate mathematical calculations, many of these calculations have been automated so the homeowner only has to enter in the known variables to solve for the unknowns. These calculators are readily available throughout the Internet. Each calculator may not be designed identically so homeowner should use a couple of calculators to determine an approximate range of answers.

Besides finding information and utilizing mortgage calculators, the Internet can also be used to obtain quotes. Homeowners are able to fill out simple forms with only a few pieces or relevant information and lenders are able to contact the homeowner with information about the types of re-financing options and interest rates they may be able to offer to the homeowner.

Selecting Reliable Resources on the Internet

The Internet is filled with useful information. However, the Internet is also filled with incorrect information. Homeowners should be aware of this fact and should avoid using the Internet exclusively in the research process. This will enable the homeowner to independently verify the information they find online.

One way homeowners can avoid coming into contact with misinformation is to select only reputable websites on the subject of home mortgages. Determining which websites are reputable and which ones are not is not always easy. Website design is a fairly simple process and there are many people who can create a website which looks professional. However, the appearance of the website does not ensure the quality of the content provided on the website. Even the most professional looking website may contain inaccurate information. This may not be intentional but it often occurs when the website owner is quite knowledgeable about website design but is very knowledgeably about the subject or re-financing.

One way to avoid the possibility of being misinformed on the Internet is to rely solely on websites maintained by well known lenders or financial institution. Often the ownership of the website may be difficult to decipher but many well known financial institutions use their name as their domain name and optimize their website for keywords related to their name. This is done to ensure those who search for their name will be directed to their website.

Using Caution on the Internet

It is always wise to use caution when participating in Internet activities. As previously discussed, this involves verifying the information obtained on a particular website. This may be done by using independent resources such as published books or consultations with financial advisors to confirm the Internet research.

Additionally, homeowners should be cautious about divulging sensitive information such as full name, address or social security number. This type of information should only be given to sources which are deemed to be reputable.

Ps: So, did you ever re-think about refinance now?

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How to avoid College Debt? Did you know tips how to do that?

Because most college students are using loans to finance their college education, the debt level of recent graduates is rising rapidly. On average, students graduate owing $12,000-$16,000 in student loans and another $2,000 in credit card debt. Is this the price you have to pay for higher education, or can you avoid college debt in the first place?



The secret to avoiding college debt is to plan wisely and take advantage of the many opportunities to reduce college costs before and during your college years.

Planning ahead

You can avoid college debt by making wise high school decisions: Take advanced placement classes

Take all the advanced placement classes you can in high school—every AP exam you pass means one less class you need to take in college.

Keep your grades up

Scholarships can be competitive, and even the grades you make early in your high school years can mean the difference in winning or losing. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can save the hard work for your junior and senior years!

Stay involved

Scholarships also may depend on community and school involvement.

Search for scholarships and grants

Scholarships and grants are the best money source for college because it is money that doesn’t have to be repaid. To find out about grants and scholarships, visit your high school career counselor and the Financial Aid Office of your intended college. You can also search the internet for scholarships and grants.
Investigate public service options

The United States Military, National Health Service Corps, and Americorps will give you money for your education in exchange for your signing up for a “tour of duty.” The time commitment ranges from 10-12 months to 8 years.
Living wisely

The chances to make wise decisions and avoid debt continue into your college years.

Start out in a community college

Most towns and cities have two-year community colleges where you can take your basic courses at less cost than at a four-year college or university. Just investigate to make sure your community college credits will transfer.

Take advantage of Work-Study programs

If you qualify for the federal work-study program, take advantage of it! You will have an on-campus job, possibly in your field of study.

Or work for the school

Many colleges give discounted or free tuition to employees and their family members. There are lots of non-teaching jobs on campus that you can apply for.

Live frugally

Live at home or get a roommate. Avoid expensive spring break trips. Buy used textbooks, and sell your books at the end of the semester.
I already have a loan. Now what?

If you have a federal student loan, it is possible to have your loan debt discharged (canceled) or reduced, under certain specific circumstances:

* You die or become totally and permanently disabled
* Your school closed before you could complete your program
* You work in certain designated public school service professions (such as teaching in a low-income school)
* You file for bankruptcy (only if the bankruptcy court rules that repayment would cause undue hardship.)

As you can see, there are many steps to avoiding or relieving college debt. To best manage your debt it is wise to implement a combination of the strategies listed above that work best for you. No wonder you can do that. But if you cannot do that. Just think first, after you finish your study. You must start paying your college debt until you solve it. Its tired right??

You also can read more articles or issue about debt problem here

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Did you have credit card problem? Know how to settle it and how to cut it easily? Nothing easily unless you know how to do that. If you don’t know, its seems impossible right?

The average combined credit card debt for undergraduates is now over $2,000. So it seems like most researchers agree that student debt is a serious problem. It’s easy for some to blame the credit card companies and their marketing gimmicks but that’s really too simple of an answer.

For starters, 62% of incoming freshmen already had access to a credit card and 51% of them had some type of debt before ever setting foot on a college campus, according to a recent study by Oklahoma State University. That tells me that parents and high schools aren’t doing a good enough job of teaching basic money management skills. The debt problem just gets worse the older the student gets.

So how can we fix this problem? More education would be the popular answer. But who will provide this education? While the parents, high schools, credit card issuers, financial counselors and universities debate that issue out then I think it’s up to each individual student to educate him or herself about credit management.

By learning about issues like credit scores, credit reports, interest rates, etc., you’ll be able to make informed decisions about credit use and avoiding debt. Read magazines like Young Money, take a personal finance class and find someone who can give you smart financial advice. You’re going to need this type of knowledge all your life so why not start learning it now?

Credit to Daniel

I also provide 2 links that will help you to learn more about student debt and finance issue.

1. Ten Practical Steps for Paying Off Credit Card Debt
2. Student Debt and Loan Debt

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