Why bother with such an experiment?  We are told the potential benefit to our society is enormous.  One article I read on the subject observed that the average American spends 72 minutes per day behind the wheel.   Now, just imagine transforming that time into productivity. The insurance agent could plan his/ her day, check email, make calls, or even catch a quick, much needed nap during the commute.

Add to these personal benefits a reduced nationwide hazard.  Proponents of this technology contend there would be fewer accidents and fewer fatalities… translating into lower insurance rates.  In addition, consider the potential payroll reduction in the transportation industry (trucking, taxi services, delivery services) not to mention businesses in general and the result is clearly a positive impact on the economy.  Or, is it?  Can a reduction in payroll be interpreted as a reduction in jobs?

Google touts a pristine highway safety record associated with their testing.  140,000 miles on the highway and only two accidents!  Just last month, one of Google’s test cars (a Toyota Prius) was involved in a minor fender-bender.  It turns out that when Google’s Prius hit another Prius from behind, it was not being driven in “autonomous mode” but was being manually operated (I’m glad I don’t have to explain that one to the boss!).  On a previous occasion, one of Google’s test cars was standing still at a red light when it was hit from behind.  But, will the perfect safety record of driverless cars continue?

Not likely.  Can you imagine technology advancing to a point where a computer NEVER crashes? As one blogger put it, “The real question is not whether or not they (the automobiles) will crash, but whether or not the likelihood of getting into an accident (or the likelihood of the seriousness of any such accident) is significantly higher or lower than with a human at the controls.” Hello-Technology Dept, TechDirt.com Google’s argument is that robots react faster than humans, have 360-degree perception, and do not suffer from problems affecting human drivers such as distraction, drowsiness, and intoxication.  One of Google’s engineers, Sebastian Thrun, believes this new technology can one day reduce traffic related fatalities by half.

Still, there are nagging questions about potential equipment malfunction, malicious sabotage, and even terrorism (yikes!).  Again, proponents of this technology have a ready answer:  Should the unthinkable occur, the occupant can always take manual control of the vehicle.  The problem, however, with this line of thought is that this “safety net” is negated by their own argued benefits.  If the occupants are involved in productive activities (email, planning, communication, napping), they may not be in a position to take the reigns at a moment’s notice.

Then, there is the question of liability.  Today, when there is a traffic accident, we have a tried and true method of determining fault and liability (that’s not to say the conclusions are never disputed).  But in the age of autonomously driven cars, who will bear the liability when an accident occurs?  Will it be the technology companies?  Or, will insurance companies simply share the liability.  Another blogger concluded,   “The greatest barriers to such a system might very well be legal in nature.” Brandon Ge, The Columbia Science and Technology Review

The technology of self-driven automobiles is certainly fascinating – even exciting.  I’m not sure it is a totally new concept.  My father tells me of my great-grandfather’s mule who routinely hauled a wagon load of honey from the bee farm to their home some 10 miles away, accompanied by the family dog, then made the return trip…  without a driver.  The driverless team managed to navigate the roadway without incident or with the aid of a man-made global positioning system.

Modern technology doesn’t seem to be the problem.  Brandon Ge reminds us that we already have cars that can parallel park with limited driver input, and can brake on their own when a crash is imminent.  He went on to say, “Additionally, driving can be fairly easily broken down into various algorithms and functions, as the main variables involved are predictable: lanes of standard widths and traffic lights that change in predictable intervals.” But, is the application of the technology currently practical?

The success of the technology seems to rely on “predictable factors”. Consider the newest rage in computing:  Cloud Technology.  This is a concept where software and information are provided to computers and other devices as a service or utility and not as a product.  In the near future, they tell us, our software will not be housed on our laptop’s hard drive, but rather provided through the network we are connected to.  Sounds great, and will probably work great for most.  I just question how practical this will be for many.  This technology will only be as good as one’s Internet or network service, and some folks will be looking at a lot of “down time” unless there are some improvements.

So, how practical is the implementation of driverless technology?  It depends on whether all the variables remain PREDICTABLE.  For driverless technology to work seamlessly and with optimum success, manual driving will have to be reduced to zero.  Again, Brandon Ge points out that, if manual driving is still permitted, then autonomous cars will be at the mercy of their physical limitations and constraints of the road system and will have difficulty avoiding accidents if they share a congested road with wreckless drivers.   Computerized cars will employ very passive driving systems (designed to avoid accidents under all circumstances) and aggressive human drivers would be able to take advantage thereby creating a greater hazard.

Can you imagine a world without “driving”?  To say, “We Americans have had a love affair with the car for the past 100 years” is a gaping understatement… even a cliché.  Who buys a new car and doesn’t want to DRIVE it?  Can a technology succeed that asks America to stop driving?  Who will be willing to barter away their freedom and adventure on the highway for a reduction in their insurance premium?

Like it or not, some form of driverless technology is in our future.  But, it’s hard to imagine heading out on the highway, inserting your CD of Steppenwolf,  and singing along the lyrics of “Born to Be Wild” while riding as a passenger in a little self-operated commuter car.

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Jerry E. Bateman, CLU, ChFC

Bateman Learning Inc.

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Personal Attributes and Skills –

There are many personal attributes and skills that are needed in order to have a chance of becoming a successful insurance agent. In the next few lines I will mention the ones that I believe to be the most important.

Authentic – a person that is authentic is someone that is genuine, not a poser, in other words, “what you see is what you get”. The old adage of “fake it until you make it” does not work well in the business of insurance.

Accepts Responsibility – willing and able to endure significant responsibility when making decisions and being accountable.

Openness – communicates openly, honestly, sincerely and consistently when assisting the client. The process should involve education, collaboration, and motivation so that the client understands and agrees with the final solution for their situation.

Commitment – committed to helping the client make the very best decisions in determining their insurance problems and their insurance solutions.

Integrity – maintains the highest standard of conduct and can be relied upon to get the job done with no surprises.

Positive Attitude – encourages a positive viewpoint rather than a negative one.

People Skills – a good listener that is able to build productive working relationships.

Proactive – rather than reactive and able to avoid mistakes that could and should be anticipated.

Judgment – can evaluate information, identify primary issues and develop solutions based on sound judgment, experience, and common sense.

Organized – well prepared with an organized purpose and process.

Obviously, there are many other attributes and skills that I could mention, but the ones listed represent some of the ones that would be most beneficial in the business of insurance. I am not suggesting that all of these attributes and skills must be in place before becoming an insurance agent, but they should be in the agent’s education process. One thing that I have failed to mention is that the education of an insurance agent never ends. The insurance industry is ever changing. A successful agent must be dedicated to continuous learning.

Choosing What to Offer

There are a multitude of insurance lines of coverage that an agent can offer his/her prospects and clients. Many agents will specialize in life, health, and variable annuity plans and others will offer automobile, homeowners, commercial property and casualty, and many other interesting lines of coverage. Agents with a very wide vision may offer both. Obviously, there are challenges associated with all insurance activities. Since you are researching this career choice, it would be a good idea to interview different agents to get an idea of what each line of coverage involves. Also, you might want to discuss in general the different ways that agents can be compensated. Commissions from life, health, and variable annuity placement are usually paid up front with a smaller renewal commission if any. With property and casualty lines of coverage the commissions are pretty much level as long as you have the account. This means that the first year commission will be a smaller percentage of the premium, but will continue from year to year. If there is an increase in the premium at renewal, then the commission will increase.

Pre-Licensing Education

Virtually all states require some amount of pre-licensing education. I would visit your state’s website to determine what is required. To use Florida as an example: for the life, health, and variable annuity license, 40 hours of pre-licensing education is required (I recommend ExamFX for your online Pre-Licensing Course). This course can be taken in a classroom setting or taken online in most states, making it possible to train for a new career at home. The amount of time required in this part of the process will vary from state to state. After taking the pre-licensing course, a certificate of completion will be issued. This certificate will be needed to demonstrate to the state that you have completed the required pre-licensing education and you are ready to take the state exam.

State Licensing Qualifications and the State Exam

I mentioned the above two matters in the first paragraph of this article. To make sure that you are on track from the very beginning of your exploration of the business of insurance, you should refer to the State Licensing Qualification often. There is quite a bit of paperwork required, along with finger printing in the application process for the insurance license. Also, let’s not forget the State Exam. You should schedule your appointment to take your exam as soon as you can after taking the pre-licensing course. If you want to take a cram course, then take your exam as soon as you can after your cram course. By the way, cram courses are available in a classroom setting or online.

Conclusion

Insurance agents need to be smart, self-motivated, and enthusiastic about helping others. Also, they need to be dedicated to continuously learning about their prospects, clients, and their business. I have enjoyed many years in the insurance business and I hope to work in it for many years to come. So, come join me! If you have questions, please do not hesitate to email me at jerry@batemanlearning.com or call me at 407-927-1191.

One other thing, there are many folks in our community today that are hurting, needing money, and they are looking for ways to get it.  MPB Today may be the opportunity they need. Let’s help others by letting them know about it today.

Thank you for visiting my website.

The business of insurance is a very important part of our economic system. Many individuals are looking for careers that will have a valuable impact on our society in the years to come. The insurance profession meets this desire. The most common definition of “insurance” involves the spreading or transferring of risk to an entity that has a much greater ability to pay for the loss. When a family buys a home, chances are they will finance the home with a lender or mortgage holder. They do this because they do not have the money in the bank to pay for the house outright. Insurance is purchased to transfer the risk to the insurance company, so that if the house is destroyed by fire or some other covered peril, the home can be replaced with the insurance proceeds. The importance of insurance can be shown in all walks of life. All kinds of insurance is purchased by families and business owners. Some insurance types include auto, home, marine, liability, life insurance, health insurance, disability income, and long term care insurance, just to name a few.

The business of insurance involves working with families and/or business owners to identify their insurance needs and then develop insurance solutions that best meet the situation of the client. The insurance business can be and often-times will be complex. The insurance professional must learn to systematically assess the situation and determine the correct course of action in identifying the coverage needed. Then the solution is writing the correct policies.

The business of insurance requires smart, self motivated, and enthusiastic individuals. These individuals, whether working for a company or self-employed, will need to plan their work process and then work their plan. If they decide to be self-employed that will still require planning and doing. Also, individuals in insurance will have an unlimited income potential. Additionally, these individuals must be honest, possess integrity, and have the sincere desire to help their prospects and clients achieve their goals. The insurance business is hard work and to be successful the individual must be focused and have the ability to follow through. The person that wants to do something different virtually every day that they work, that must continue to study and learn as issues and concepts change, the insurance field might just be the right profession.

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Training for a career in the insurance profession has become increasingly convenient in recent years.  With the advent of online insurance pre-licensing courses, it is now possible to meet pre-licensing requirements in most states and study for your initial state exam at home and on your own schedule.  If a career in the insurance profession interests you, we recommend starting with our partner, ExamFX and train at home for a rewarding, new career.  Become an insurance agent.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  There are so many topics to write about these days it is hard to decide.  With that said, I am very excited about the new online insurance courses that are being offered at www.MyCEonline.com .  Unfortunately, not all of these new courses are offered in all states, yet.  Topics such as Healthcare Reform, Claims Handling, and Avoiding Errors and Omissions Claims, just to name three reflect the issues of the day that insurance professionals should be taking to better address the needs of their clients.  Please take a moment to review the course descriptions of the new courses shown below to see if any of these new courses make sense for you.

Life/Health New Course Launches:

• Healthcare Reform: Critical Aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: This course provides important information for insurance producers and other advisors who want to engage and counsel clients about the new requirements imposed on group health plans and individual insurance coverage by the 2010 Healthcare Reform Act and Regulations. Healthcare Reform: Critical Aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is now approved for life and health insurance CE credit in Alaska, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

Property/Casualty New Course Launches:

• Claims Handling Best Practices: This course is designed for adjusters and others with property and casualty insurance claims-handling duties to help them understand the basic claims process and associated best practices that are consistent with the requirements of state unfair claims practices acts and regulations. Claims Handling Best Practices, is now approved for property and casualty insurance CE credit in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. More course approvals are pending.
• Avoiding Errors and Omissions Claims: A Guide for Insurance Producers: The purpose of this course is to help insurance producers understand their exposure to errors and omissions (E&O) claims and to provide practical guidelines for avoiding such claims. Avoiding Errors and Omissions Claims is now approved for property and casualty insurance CE credit in 24 states. More course approvals are pending.
• Insuring Personal RVs, Watercraft, Aircraft, ATVs and More: This course examines the specific exposures, as well as the property and liability insurance alternatives associated with recreational vehicles (motor homes, camping trailers, and so forth), miscellaneous land motor vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft and hovercraft. Insuring Personal RVs, Watercraft, Aircraft, ATVs and More is now approved for property and casualty insurance CE credit in 37 states. More course approvals are pending.

You know, continuing education is the lifeblood of successful insurance and financial advisor practices.  Staying informed is a major part of the agent’s and advisor’s obligation to their clients.  We must not forget that the more you know, the greater the likelihood that you will recognize opportunities for your clients and yourself.  If your knowledge base is not expanding continuously, you are more likely to omit valid strategies for your client thereby increasing your E&O liability.  Enough said for now.  Hey, please check out www.MyCEonline.com and www.BatemanLearning.com to see other valuable education opportunities to enhance knowledge base.