When can a producer begin to solicit insurance?

A producer can begin to solicit insurance upon being appointed by an insurer. This appointment signifies that the insurance company has authorized the producer to act on its behalf and represent its products. This is a crucial step because it establishes a legal relationship between the producer and the insurer, allowing the producer to sell the insurer's policies. While passing the state exam and obtaining a license number are important steps in the licensing process, they do not grant the authority to solicit or sell policies until the producer receives an appointment from an insurer. Attending training sessions is valuable for knowledge gain, but it also does not provide the necessary authority to solicit insurance. Thus, the appointment by the insurer is the definitive action that permits the producer to begin their solicitation activities legally.