For an industry that is generally depicted as slow to accept new technologies, insurance agents are embracing online learning at an accelerating pace because Web courses offer more convenience and accessibility in fulfilling continuing education requirements, while avoiding costly and time-consuming trips out of the office, leading educators in the field contend.

Growth has been “spectacular, to say the least,” according to Bruce McMillan, president and chief executive officer of CEU.com. He estimated his number of users has just about doubled annually since the company was founded in 1999 to provide online education resources for insurance agents and adjusters.

Madelyn H. Flannagan, vice president of education and research for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, said that being online has given IIABA the opportunity to reach out to a “very different audience” of agents.