During a hard market, it’s essential to stay up-to-date as much as possible with industry trends, tools, and developments. Sometimes, it’s difficult to even know where to go when wanting to stay ahead of the curve. For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of resources for independent insurance agents to follow and how to find them.
Industry Associations
Joining nationwide insurance industry associations or local chapters can provide access to valuable resources, training programs, networking opportunities, and industry insights tailored specifically to independent agents. Top examples to check out, if you haven’t already, include:
- Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA)
- National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA)
- National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
- Agents Council for Technology (ACT)
- Insurance Agents & Brokers (IA&B)
Of course, it’s essential to research each association’s offerings and benefits to determine which ones align best with your professional goals and needs.
Online Platforms and Communities
Explore online platforms and communities dedicated to insurance professionals. Websites like Insurance Journal, Agents Alliance, and Agency Nation offer news, articles, podcasts, webinars, training programs, and other resources to help agents enhance their businesses and navigate the evolving insurance landscape.
For more specifics on marketing and leadership, look into the Insurance Marketing Exchange and the Insurance Thought Leadership platform. The Insurance Marketing Exchange is an online platform focused on insurance specific marketing strategies and techniques. There, independent agents can access resources to improve their marketing and grow their businesses.
Insurance Thought Leadership is an online platform featuring articles, insights, and thought leadership pieces from industry experts and thought leaders. This platform can help you stay informed about industry trends and best practices.
LinkedIn may have more to offer independent insurance agents than you realized. It features numerous groups and communities dedicated to insurance professionals, including independent agents. Here are a few top groups:
- Insurance Professionals | Groups | LinkedIn
- Global Insurance Professionals | Groups | LinkedIn
- Insurance Journal | Groups | LinkedIn
These groups provide forums for networking, sharing industry news, discussing best practices, and connecting with peers and experts in the field.
Don’t forget to go outside the mainstream and check out platforms like Reddit. The Insurance subreddit on Reddit (r/Insurance) is a community where insurance professionals, including independent agents, can engage in discussions, share insights, ask questions, and seek advice from fellow members.
Continuing Education Providers 
Look for reputable continuing education (CE) providers that offer courses and training programs specifically designed for insurance agents. These courses can help agents stay up-to-date on industry regulations, trends, and best practices. Here are a few to research:
- 360training: 360training is one of the largest online training and certification providers globally. It offers courses across industries, but for insurance agents, it has over 800 CE packages and courses. These cover a wide array of topics, including ethics, consumer protection law, general liability, and flood insurance.
- A. D. Banker: A.D. Banker offers pre-licensing and continuing education courses for insurance and securities professionals. These courses are available online in most states, but some states (e.g., California) only offer in-person classes.
- WebCE: WebCE is a leading provider of online CE courses for insurance professionals. They offer a wide selection of state-approved courses covering various lines of insurance, including property and casualty, life and health, and adjuster licensing.
- Kaplan Financial Education: This organization offers CE courses and training programs for insurance agents, brokers, and adjusters. They have both online and classroom-based courses covering topics like insurance ethics, regulatory compliance, and industry-specific skills development.
- National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research: The National Alliance offers CE courses and designation programs for insurance professionals, including the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. However, their courses cover a wide range of topics.
When selecting a CE provider, it’s crucial to ensure that the courses are approved by the relevant state insurance department and meet the requirements for your license renewal.
Insurance Carrier Resources
Many insurance carriers provide resources, tools, and training programs for their appointed independent agents. These resources may include product training, sales support, marketing materials, and access to online portals for policy management. Examples of each of these include:
- Product Training and Support: Many insurance carriers offer product training and support to help agents understand their insurance products, coverage options, and underwriting guidelines. This training may be available through online portals, webinars, seminars, or in-person workshops.
- Marketing and Sales Materials: These materials may include brochures, flyers, digital assets, social media content, and customizable templates for marketing campaigns.
- Online Portals and Tools: Online portals and tools may allow independent agents to access policy information, submit applications, generate quotes, process endorsements, and manage client accounts. These portals may also provide valuable resources such as underwriting guidelines, product manuals, and training modules.
By making use of these insurance carrier resources, independent agents can enhance their knowledge, skills, and capabilities, ultimately providing better service to their clients and growing their business more effectively in a competitive marketplace.
Online Learning Platforms
Beyond CE courses, explore other online learning platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, or Skillshare for courses related to insurance sales, marketing, customer service, and business development. These platforms offer a wide range of courses taught by industry experts that can help agents enhance their skills and knowledge.
Industry Conferences and Events
Attend industry conferences, seminars, and events to network with peers, learn from industry experts, and stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the insurance industry. Look for events hosted by industry associations, carriers, and professional organizations. Some examples include:
- Agency Nation Elevate 2024 – April 24-26 in Austin, TX
- Applied Net 2024 – September 9-12 in Nashville, TN
- InsureTech Connect 2024 – October 15-17 in Las Vegas, NV
- Insurance Agency Owners Alliance (IAOA) Events
- Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) Events
- National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) Events
In addition to in-person events, many organizations offer virtual conferences and webinars specifically for insurance agents. These online events provide convenient access to educational sessions, industry experts, and networking opportunities from the comfort of your home or office.
Mentorship Programs
Seek out mentorship opportunities with experienced insurance professionals who can provide guidance, advice, and support as you navigate your career as an independent agent. You can find guidance at no cost through the U. S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) program, SCORE.
Final Thoughts
There are many resources available if you know where to find them. While some of them are paid, a good number of them are free. By leveraging these resources, independent insurance agents can enhance their knowledge, skills, and expertise, ultimately leading to greater success in the competitive insurance marketplace.
At ASNOA, we prioritize seamless onboarding experiences to ensure that every new member of our team feels supported and empowered from day one. Our comprehensive onboarding process is designed to familiarize new employees with our company culture, values, and operations, setting them up for success in their roles. Through mentorship, training programs, and ongoing support, we strive to cultivate a welcoming environment where every individual can thrive and contribute to our collective success. Join us as we continue to build a dynamic and inclusive workplace where talent is nurtured and opportunities for growth abound.
