Ground Level
Thinking about becoming an insurance broker is the first
step. Your career as an insurance broker can have endless opportunities
depending on how far you want to go. This is a rewarding
industry with only a few requirements for entry and offers great growth potential
for those with an enthusiasm for learning.
Fundamentals of Insurance
In Nova Scotia, the Fundamentals of Insurance is the pre-licensing study material a student must understand prior to challenging the General Insurance Licensing Exam. Fundamentals of Insurance focuses on the insurance needs of the consumer: you will follow the lives of a hypothetical family to illustrate various insurance concepts. The intent is to break down the barriers of learning that are inherent in technical or specialized disciplines like insurance. Starting with the history of insurance, Fundamentals will guide you through definitions, functions, major classes and the organization of insurance. Go to this course.
Customer Service for the Insurance Professional (CSIP)
CSIP is an excellent resource for new brokers and a good refresher for seasoned employees. The four-part program deals with every aspect of brokerage operations from a customer perspective and focuses on the exact job functions of those who deal with clients. CSIP will help ensure that your office maintains a consistent, high-quality, customer-service approach in all market conditions. Students work through the course at their own pace with the assistance of a mentor/coach (e.g. manager, owner) within their brokerage office. Go to this course.
Introduction to Risk Management (IRM)
Designed to increase understanding of risk management, this course will appeal to all insurance professionals, but particularly to brokers who specialize in personal lines or small- to medium-sized commercial risks. IRM examines the language of risk management; the risk management process; risk management functions; and other basic foundations of risk management. Go to this course.
Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB)
CAIB is a national designation program designed, written, and delivered by brokers, for brokers. Through the four modules CAIB covers personal lines, commercial lines, management, and finance from a broker’s perspective. Your technical knowledge, general business competency, and professionalism will be enhanced with this series of courses. As a result, you will gain the means to develop new sales markets and enhance your opportunities for career advancement—knowledge and skills learned throughout the program are immediately transferable to daily brokerage operations. Go to this course.
The Canadian Professional Insurance Broker (CPIB)
CPIB is a senior designation program positioned at the university level. The distinct streams of the program are personal lines, commercial lines and broker management depending on your career ambitions. Go to this course.
Canadian Certified Insurance Broker (CCIB)
The CCIB designation has become a coveted symbol of achievement among independent insurance brokers, and is recognized by the industry and by the public at large. The CCIB designation is awarded by the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada, denoting a standard of excellence to which all commercial insurance brokers should aspire. Practical, hands-on experience is the best preparation tool as the designation is intended to demonstrate the holder’s practical competency gained through work experience. Go to this course.
Best Practices Program
Designed to enhance your brokerage management skills and hone your strategic abilities, this professional “polishing” course teaches sales and marketing, human resources management, and financial and operations management. The Best Practices Program assists independent insurance brokers with benchmarking their operations against the operations of the top 150 performing brokerages in North America. Go to this course.
