10 Best Insurance certification courses | Types of insurance certifications
10 Best Insurance certification courses | Types of insurance certifications. Career growth can take many forms, but one of the best ways to grow organically is through the pursuit of advanced insurance certification programs. Insurance is one of many industries where its professionals may benefit from earning voluntary certifications.
The right insurance certification or designation gives you the knowledge you need to offer a higher level of service to your clients. There are many opportunities to seek designations and specializations. So where do you start? Below are the top insurance certification courses programs.
What is an insurance certification?
An insurance certification is a designation for insurance professionals to show their advanced training in a specialty area. Earning an insurance certification usually requires the completion of initial education courses and a passing grade in an exam.
Many insurance certifications also require holders to complete continuing education courses to stay current on new industry information.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Insurance Certifications?
- The cost of an insurance certification exam ranges from $40–$150. This depends on the state you are in and the fee is usually updated on your state’s insurance licensing website.
- The application fee ranges from $30-$200 in most cases and a background check could cost you about $30.
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Types of insurance certifications to increase your skills
Here are the most common and most popular types of insurance certifications to help build your skills in your career.
1. Certified WorkComp Adviser (CWCA)
The Certified WorkComp Adviser program is for those interested in the niche of workers’ compensation insurance. Offered through The Institute of WorkComp Professionals, this certification program teaches candidates how to help their clients lower their workers’ compensations insurance costs, establish safety committees and provide human resource advice to employees.
2. Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
The Certified Insurance Service Representative designation, offered through The National Alliance, helps insurance professionals learn risk management techniques for businesses and individuals. Good for those who manage both commercial and personal life insurance accounts.
3. Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)
The Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter certification may be ideal for anyone who works for an insurance company rather than just insurance agents. This program, offered through The Institutes, covers all areas of the underwriting process and helps candidates understand insurance accounting and legal issues in the industry.
4. Associate In Claims (AIC)
This insurance designation qualifies you to handle a wide variety of claims, including property, auto, workers compensation, and bodily injury claims. Earning the Associate In Claims (AIC) designation helps you attain comprehensive knowledge of a wide variety of claims.
5. Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)
The Certified Insurance Counselor credential covers all areas of insurance, such as personal, commercial and life. Offered through The National Alliance, this certification is available to covers specific topics such as commercial casualty, commercial property and agency management.
6. Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
The Certified Risk Manager designation is for those interested in helping business clients analyze their operations and determine where they may encounter risks. Offered by The National Alliance, this certification requires the completion of five courses over 120 hours to learn how to prevent, reduce, avoid and eliminate risks.
7. Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI)
The Accredited Adviser in Insurance credential helps agents learn about property and casualty lines, underwriting and customer services. The program, offered through The Institutes, includes four classes for candidates to pass before earning their certificate.
Best Insurance Certifications to help improve your career [Online Courses also available]
Insurance is one of many industries where its professionals may benefit from earning voluntary certifications. Insurance certification also helps boost careers and the right one helps you advance in the industry.
1. The Associate in General Insurance – The Institutes
The Associate in General Insurance (AINS) focuses on general property and liability insurance for personal or commercial lines. It will give you a strong foundation in general insurance principles. This online insurance designation is a great place to start as an insurance professional. This certification program is offered by The Institutes.
2. Certified Risk Manager – The National Alliance
A Certified Risk Manager (CRM) is a program that focuses on preventing, minimizing, and eliminating risk. It is offered by The National Alliance and requires a background in professional insurance. The certification in risk management provides specialized skills in three core areas Principles of Risk Management, Analysis of Risk, Control of Risk, and Financing of Risk.
The Certified Risk Manager program is highly advisable if you are interested in helping business clients analyze their operations and determine where they may encounter risks.
3. Certified Insurance Service Representative – The National Alliance
Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) helps insurance professionals learn risk management techniques for businesses and individuals. This program may be an excellent choice for you if you are looking to manage both commercial and personal life insurance accounts.
4. Associate in Risk Management – The Institutes
Associate in Risk Management (ARM) provides an in-depth understanding of risk assessment and treatment that gives the skills you need to succeed in a rapidly evolving risk management landscape. It focuses on risk management today, risk in an organization, holistic risk, and detecting risk.
5. Certified Professional, Life and Health Program – LOMA
CPLHI, short for Certified Professional, Life and Health Program, is an insurance program designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of core areas in life and health insurance. It provides you with training in the most necessary skills and key topics in life and health insurance. It is offered by LOMA.
6. Certified WorkComp Specialist – Workcomp Professionals
The Certified WorkComp Specialist (CWCS) teaches about experience modifiers, claims management, and audits. This certification provides a broader focus across multiple insurance disciplines that equip you with the most sought-after skills in this field of insurance.
7. Certified WorkComp Adviser – The Institute of WorkComp Professionals
The Certified WorkComp Adviser (CWCA) teaches you how to help your clients lower their workers’ compensations insurance costs, establish safety committees and provide human resource advice to employees. It focuses on the core areas in insurance to do with Understanding the Workers’ Comp Premium Audit, Navigating the Experience Mod, The Anatomy of a Claim, and Putting the Process into Action.
8. Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter – The Institutes
Commonly known as CPCU, a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter is an expert on risk management, underwriting, and property-casualty insurance. A CPCU shows your peers and clients that you have specialized knowledge of the insurance industry. It is a great choice if you want to grow your career by working with a carrier, third-party, or in the fast-paced world of insurance.
9. Accredited Advisor in Insurance – The Institutes
Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) is a comprehensive program that focuses on the Foundations of Insurance Production, Multi-Lines Insurance Production, and Agency Operations and Sales Management. From this online insurance certification, you will walk away with practical skills that will empower you to give some of the best services available in the country to each of your clients.
10. Certified Insurance Counsellor – The National Alliance
Commonly referred to as CIC, Certified Insurance Counsellor, focuses on the practical application of insurance principles such as Agency Management, Commercial Property, and Life and Health.
Why get an insurance certification?
Earning an insurance certification shows that you’re committed to learning and relearning the most important information and best practices in the industry. A certification can let clients know you’re an expert in your field, or you’re working on gaining the credentials to become an expert.
The coursework may help insurance agents better understand the nuances of risks and litigation in the industry to best serve their clients.
What Certifications Or Licenses Are Required To Sell Vision Insurance And Health Insurance?
A Life & Health insurance license through the State is needed to sell health insurance. You should complete any pre-licensing education required by the state you want to become licensed in.
How Long Do Life And Health Insurance Certifications Last?
Insurance certifications last for about 2 years. Renewal fees range from $15 – $200 per line. All states also require the completion of continuing education courses in order to renew your license.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Life Insurance Certifications In CA?
An estimated total of $243 for life insurance certification. In some cases, insurance carriers require agents to have a life insurance license as well, and therefore most agents opt for both licenses at the same time.