Here are 13 books insurance agents should consider adding to their library:

1. The Breakthrough Insurance Agency (2015)

By Bart Baker, LUTCF.

You’re in the insurance business, and you’re searching for a breakthrough. Maybe you’re a new agent and feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of you. Or maybe you’ve already been in the business for several years, and you’re doing pretty well, but you’ve hit a plateau.

Whatever the case, you’re looking for a way to put your business on the path to continuous growth. If this sounds likes something you can relate to, "The Breakthrough Insurance Agency: How to Multiply Your Income, Time and Fun" may be the book for you.

2. Casualty, Fire and Marine Investigation Checklists (Ninth edition, 2015)

By Pat Magarick and Ken Brownlee.

"Casualty, Fire and Marine Investigation Checklists" strives to avoid unnecessary callbacks and reinvestigations into casualty, fire, and marine claims. It lists procedures for thoroughly investigating claims and offers suggestions for in-depth treatment of issues and investigative procedures.

This book assure no aspects of a claim will be overlooked, and a glossary provides applicable insurance and legal terms.

3. How to Build a $10 Million Insurance Agency in 5 Years (2016)

By Billy Williams, Ph.D.

This book demystifies and simplifies the tasks and processes you must have in place in order to grow your insurance agency.

In addition to working with top insurance companies such as MetLife Auto and Home, Williams personally oversees the day to day operations of Inspire a Nation Business Mentoring Svc., as well as mentoring the leadership and staff members of the more than 40 partner agencies of the Williams Family Investment Group. This group produces over $500 million in new and renewal premium each year.

"How to Build a $10 Million Insurance Agency in 5 Years: Or double what your insurance agency is currently producing" is filled with explanations and examples that a 10th grader could understand and implement in an agency. It's written this way because Williams wants you to use your time implementing processes, not trying to figure out what the heck he is talking about.

4. Insurance Claims: A Comprehensive Guide (2014)

By Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE.

"Insurance Claims: A Comprehensive Guide" is a comprehensive two-volume set resource that enables insurance professionals to successfully handle insurance claims from start to finish — employing proven, practical techniques and best practices every step of the way.

Editor's note: This book is available from a division of our parent company, the National Underwriter Co., a unit of ALM Media.

5. Insurance Handbook: A guide to insurance and how it works (2016)

By the Insurance Information Institute.

For nearly 50 years the Insurance Information Institute has been regarded as a primary source of factual information and credible analysis on insurance — what it does and how it works. Its crucial educational role is especially important in today’s challenging economic environment.

The "Insurance Handbook: A guide to insurance and how it works" provides insight on key issues affecting the industry, from financial and market conditions, to the nature of insurance regulation, to covering the costs of natural disasters and terrorism. It also provides information on the basics of insurance as well as numerous tables and charts and directories of insurance associations and regulators.

6. Insurance Law (2015)

By Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE.

"Insurance Law" is the most comprehensive, and yet practical, insurance law authority available today.

Written by nationally renowned insurance coverage expert Barry Zalma, an insurance coverage attorney, consultant, expert witness and blogger, "Insurance Law" introduces the new insurance professional to the fundamental principles of insurance and provides the experienced litigator analyses of today’s leading insurance law decisions nationwide.

Editor's note: This book is available from a division of our parent company, the National Underwriter Co., a unit of ALM Media.

7. Property & Casualty Insurance Essentials (8th edition)

By the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.

"Property & Casualty Insurance Essentials" is a comprehensive guide that teaches the basics of property and casualty insurance. This guide supplies you with basic knowledge, yet it covers a wide breadth of information.

The guide discusses the most important aspects of personal lines and commercial lines insurance, and contains explanations of policy terms, coverage forms, conditions, endorsements, exclusions, and limits. This book is continually updated based on the most recent ISO forms.

8. Property Investigation Checklists: Uncovering Insurance Fraud (11th edition, 2015)

By Michael H. Boyer.

"Property Investigation Checklists: Uncovering Insurance Fraud" provides detailed guidance and practical information on the four primary areas of any investigation of suspicious claims:

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  • Recognizing suspicious claims.
  • Proper investigation procedures.
  • Analysis of laws concerning fraudulent personal and real property claims.
  • Evaluating and settling claims.

The book also examines recent developments in areas such as arson investigation procedures, bad faith, and extracontractual damages. The appendix includes the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Model Act.

9. Shock the Topline: A Practical Guide for Growing Your Insurance Practice (2016)

By David E. Estrada.

Written by award-winning retail insurance sales producer and senior industry leader David E. Estrada, "Shock the Topline" offers a practical, no-nonsense guide for insurance professionals who want to achieve success and generate opportunities for career advancement.

Estrada focuses on three core elements vital for success:

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  • Gaining perspective within the industry.
  • Increasing topline revenues.
  • Developing leadership skills.

Estrada’s insight and experience will help sales leaders, agency owners, and brokerage leaders better understand the challenges faced by their production teams.

10. So You Want To Be An Insurance Agent (Third edition, 2013)

By Jeffrey L. Hastings.

There is more to selling insurance than writing policies. When done right, you can build a successful business that affords you a lifestyle most people only dream about. Why try to figure it out on your own when you can learn from someone who has already been there and done that?

"So You Want To Be An Insurance Agent" is written by someone who knows insurance, and who knows how to build a profitable business. Since starting as a file clerk with Farmers Insurance Group in 1985, Hastings has built an extraordinary business, consistently receiving top awards, including District Manager of the Year in 2005.

11. Starting, Buying, Selling, and Perpetuating Insurance Agencies (2014)

By Jon Persky, CPA, CIC, PHR.

"Starting, Buying, Selling, and Perpetuating Insurance Agencies" is a valuable resource for insurance agency owners who wish to improve a perpetuation plan, purchase or merge with an agency, or sell an existing agency. The guide can also assist an experienced insurance professional in starting an insurance agency from scratch.

Because of the many considerations and complexities associated with any of these actions, this book includes survey results and exhibits that are helpful in successfully planning, implementing, and/or negotiating the necessary steps and transactions. Practical legal agreements, worksheets, and checklists are key features.

12. Workers Compensation Guide: Coverage and Financing (Third edition, 2016)

By Steven Coombs, CPCU, ARM and David Thamann, J.D., ARM, CPCU.

"Workers Compensation Guide: Coverage and Financing" guides you through the entire spectrum of issues and considerations in the complex area of workers compensation. From exclusions, to limits of liability, endorsements, and policy wording, this resource delivers valuable, expert insights every step of the way.

This fully revised third edition includes additional case law, a new section on Alternate Employer Coverage, important updates to the workers compensation classification schedule, and more.

Editor's note: This book is available from a division of our parent company, the National Underwriter Co., a unit of ALM Media.

13. 2016 Cancellation & Nonrenewal

By Christine G. Barlow, CPCU.

"Cancellation & Nonrenewal" outlines how insurers can legally terminate insurance policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, delivering completely current guidance on cancellation of both standard property and casualty insurance policies. State-by-state differences are examined in detail on a line-of-business basis.

The 2016 edition contains many vital updates and additions, including:

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  • Fraud bureaus by state chart.
  • Cell phone restrictions by state chart.
  • Data breach notification laws by state chart.
  • Claims handling requirement chart.

Editor's note: This book is available from a division of our parent company, the National Underwriter Co., a unit of ALM Media.

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