Top Ten P&C Designations

Several commercial lines insurance professionals have asked me during the past week, “What is the one thing I can do to jumpstart my insurance career?”  Without hesitation, I responded, “Get your industry certifications.”

I have listed the top ten certifications/designations below.

Certifications and designations send a powerful message regarding the level of dedication and commitment you have to your insurance career, your client, and the agency where you work.

When I review a resume, the first thing I look for is whether or not the candidate has a designation.

Certifications can pave the way for you to get that next big promotion and raise, and also make you more attractive to potential new employers if you are considering making a job change.

If you read my annual salary reports, you will know that insurance professionals with designations make on average 12% more than those that don’t.

Here are the most relevant commercial lines insurance designations that can jumpstart your career.  We will address employee benefits certifications next week.

For the commercial (and personal lines) professional:

1. CIC: The Certified Insurance Counselor program (CIC) is probably the best bang for your buck if you are a commercial lines account manager.  It is highly recommended for any licensed agent, broker, or even an insurance adjuster.  You must successfully complete five CIC courses within five calendar years culminating with a final exam.  In summary, you will learn the fundamentals of strategic planning within an insurance agency and what actions are needed to build and grow your book of business and the agency practice, as a whole.  Most people take two years to complete on a part-time basis.

2. CISR: Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) is a very popular program designed to empower and enable insurance professionals to provide exceptional account management and customer service.  You will learn how to tailor insurance and risk management programs to your client’s needs as well.  Most will get this designation prior to the CIC.

3. ACSR: The Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) is a basic course, similar to the CISR, which provides a deeper understanding of the keys to success as a client manager and vital coverage knowledge.  It will enhance your account management skills with a splash of ethics training as well.

4. CPCU: This is considered to be an advanced course and usually taken following either the CISR or ACSR.  The CPCU is more about agency leadership and meeting challenges across insurance administration, finance, legal, technology, and operations.  If you aspire to running your own independent agency or becoming a leader within your own insurance organization, you should consider this course.

5. CLCS: Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS):  As the name indicates, this is for the professional who is probably a commercial lines account manager who wants to elevate their knowledge of the various products and coverages in support of a sales producer.

6. AAI: The Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI) is a very specialized designation that indicates an agent understands the coverage solutions available for risk management and how insurance fits into the financial planning process.  It also includes both personal and commercial lines policies and products.  There is also an emphasis placed on interpersonal communications too.

7. CRIS: The Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) is a specialty in construction risk and coverages.  This will increase the competence, confidence, and credibility of insurance professionals who sell (through an independent agency) or underwrite commercial construction accounts.  This is a difficult five-part test and, if you lack experience in the construction industry, it will be a difficult test series to pass.

8. CRM: The Certified Risk Manager (CRM) is a great way to gain credibility and expertise with your organization and in the risk management community.  This is a 16-hour course providing the skills to correctly identify exposures by building a foundation in the fundamentals of risk management.  It will introduce you to the methods and tools of risk management.

9. CWCA: The Certified WorkComp Advisor (CWCA) is a hands-on certification in acquiring the skills and know-how related to the complicated world of workman’s compensation and the errors and issues that commonly occur with workman’s compensation claims and processing.

10. AIS: The Associate in Insurance Services (AIS) is a course that will teach you how to attract and retain your current clients by acquiring continuous improvement principles and business process skills.  You will be better able to understand your organization’s structure and how to measure, benchmark, and optimize business processes.

The Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia (IIAV) offers many of these programs for its members and non-members.  Their website for further information is IIAV Continuing Education

The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research also provides more details on some of the above courses.

Continuing education and certifications are one of the best investments you can make in yourself and your career.

And, best of all, most firms will reimburse you for these expenses so don’t forget to insist that this benefit included in your compensation package!

Rob