IBAC Professional Development Courses
IBAC has designed and produced a portfolio of professional development courses, which are delivered by our Member Broker Associations in each province.
Both the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) and Fundamentals of Insurance (FOI) are accredited by regulators in certain provinces, meaning that successful completion will count towards licensing requirements in that province.
Additional courses allow brokers to progress in their career, and continuing education courses to ensure that they remain up-to-date on insurance topics.
CAIB and other courses
Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB)
CAIB is a nationally recognized professional designation earned through successful completion of the CAIB program – a comprehensive course of study that provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of all aspects of property and casualty insurance. Completion of this program contributes to the licensing requirements in some provinces.
Use of the CAIB designation is restricted to licensed Property and Casualty insurance brokers who maintain membership in an IBAC Member Association. Non-members who take the CAIB program will receive a Certificate of Completion upon graduation, but are not eligible to use the designation.
Program Topics
The CAIB program consists of four course modules covering the following topics:
- CAIB 1 – General Insurance, including habitational insurance, personal liability, personal auto, farm insurance and professional service practices.
- CAIB 2 – Commercial Insurance, including commercial property, crime insurance and business interruption.
- CAIB 3 – Commercial Insurance, including general liability, commercial automobile, marine & aviation, surety bonds and risk management.
- CAIB 4 – Brokerage Management, including business skills, administrative and financial management.
Format
CAIB courses may be offered in the following formats:
- Discussion Group – Classroom groups emphasize active participation and are a forum for the sharing of ideas.
- Immersion – A more in-depth training experience in a condensed time frame. Immersion courses are facilitated by experienced brokers and subject matter experts.
- Self-Study – Students that want a more flexible schedule or live in a remote location may choose this option.
An on-line study aid is also available.
For more information or to register, contact a professional development specialist in your provincial insurance brokers association.
Fundamentals of Insurance
FOI is an introduction to property and casualty insurance. The successful completion of this foundation course satisfies the education requirement for a Level 1 license in some provinces.
Program topics
Topics covered include the history of insurance, the insurance process, the role of government in the insurance industry, personal property and automobile insurance, commercial insurance, contracts, principles of legal liability, and much more.
Format
FOI is delivered by the Insurance Broker Association in each province. Depending on your province, the program may be offered as a week-long immersion course, a discussion group format, or a self-study option. Some provinces also offer an on-line format.
For more information or to register, contact a professional development specialist at your provincial insurance brokers association.
Customer Service for the Insurance Professional (CSIP)
For brokers, the ability to deliver excellent service to clients is critically important. In this four-part program, every aspect of brokerage operations is examined from a customer service perspective. CSIP is an excellent resource, whether you are new to the insurance brokerage field, or a seasoned professional.
Program Topics
Topics covered include the benefits of quality service, effective communications, client negotiations and selling skills, office procedures, and much more.
Format
CSIP has 4 modules. Students work through the program at their own pace with the assistance of a broker mentor. The mentor provides guidance and reviews completed assignments in each module. Some provincial associations offer this course in a seminar format. A certificate of completion is awarded upon verification from the mentor.
For more information or to register, contact a professional development specialist in your provincial insurance brokers association.
Producer Academy
Elite Force – Best Practices Producer Academy
Effective and efficient producers ensure the continued prosperity of their brokerage, increasing the commission base and adding significantly to the future book value of the business. Elite Force – Best Practices Producer Academy is an intense, comprehensive program designed to enhance knowledge and skills in key business building areas from goal setting and prospecting, to landing new accounts and securing renewals.
Canadian Professional Insurance Broker (CPIB)
Brokers who have attained the CAIB or CIP designation can take their career to the next level with the CPIB program. This course allows you to specialize in one of three professional streams: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines or Brokerage Management. Upon completion, the CPIB designation is awarded.
Use of the CPIB designation is restricted to licensed Property and Casualty insurance brokers who maintain membership in an IBAC Member Association. Non-members who take the CPIB program will receive a Certificate of Completion upon graduation, but are not eligible to use the designation.
The CPIB program consists of six courses in your chosen stream – three mandatory, insurance specific courses and three elective courses that are offered by recognized universities or colleges. You may also take the courses individually for general interest or Continuing Education (CE) credits.
To qualify for this program, you must be, at the time of registering for the examinations, an employee of a brokerage that is a member of a provincial broker association.
Format
The CPIB course is offered in three formats:
- Discussion Group – Classroom groups emphasize active participation and are a forum for the sharing of ideas.
- Immersion – A more in-depth training experience in a condensed time frame. Immersion courses are facilitated by experienced brokers and subject matter experts.
- Self-Study – Students that want a more flexible schedule or live in a remote location may choose this option. A self-study guide and a course textbook are provided for each CAIB course.
For more information or to register, contact a professional development specialist in your provincial insurance brokers association.