- Decide which lines of authority to pursue based on the role you want30 min
This step produces a one-sentence decision: which line(s) you will pursue and the job title those lines enable. The expensive mistake is buying a pre-licensing package for the wrong combination — a property-casualty course won’t help you sell health insurance, and vice versa.
The four major lines.
- Life insurance pays a death benefit.
- Health insurance covers medical costs.
- Property insurance covers buildings and belongings.
- Casualty insurance covers liability.
The common combinations.
- Life-only — final expense, term life. Agents often start here.
- Life-and-health — the standard pair for benefits agents, Medicare brokers, and IMO-recruited agents.
- Property-and-casualty — home, auto, renters, umbrella. The default for personal-lines agents and captive agency recruits.
- All-lines — life, health, property, casualty. Overkill unless you plan to open an independent agency.
Match the lines to your target role. If a recruiter approached you, ask which lines their carriers offer. If you are going independent, research which lines have the shortest path to your first sale.
Check your state rules. Some states let you take one combined exam for life-and-health; others require separate exams. The same applies for property-and-casualty.
Write down your decision. “I will pursue [life-and-health / property-and-casualty / all-lines] because I am targeting a [benefits agent / personal-lines agent / independent broker] role.”
Record it. Write a dated note that says “I am pursuing [lines] for a [role] role.” You will use this to buy the correct course in Step 3.