Top 10 Assistant Underwriter Certifications

Certifications for assistant underwriters are important in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that a candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the role. Certifications can also help a candidate stand out from other applicants, as employers may view certifications as evidence of a commitment to professional development. Additionally, some employers may require certain certifications or prefer candidates who have them. Finally, certifications can provide an opportunity for professional networking and can lead to additional career opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for Assistant Underwriters and discuss how they can enhance an Assistant Underwriter's career.

What are Assistant Underwriter Certifications?

Assistant Underwriter Certification is a certification program designed to teach individuals the skills and knowledge necessary to become an assistant underwriter in the insurance industry. The certification is offered by a variety of organizations, including the Insurance Institute of America (IIA) and the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO). The program typically consists of online courses, exams, and on-the-job training.

The Assistant Underwriter Certification program helps individuals develop their expertise in areas such as risk assessment, customer service, claims processing, and policy analysis. This knowledge can help individuals understand how insurance products work and help them make informed decisions when assessing new risks or evaluating existing policies. Additionally, those who have completed this certification may be better equipped to work with customers or provide assistance to other underwriters in their organization.

Having an assistant underwriter certification can also help individuals stand out when applying for jobs in the insurance industry. Employers are more likely to hire qualified candidates who have taken the initiative to demonstrate their commitment to learning about this field. Furthermore, having this certification may open up additional career opportunities that are not available without it.

Pro Tip: To become an assistant underwriter, obtain certification through a professional organization such as The Institutes, which offers the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation. This certification is highly sought after by employers and will give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Related: What does an Assistant Underwriter do?

Top 10 Assistant Underwriter Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Assistant Underwriters today.

1. Chartered Insurance Institute Certificate in Insurance

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Certificate in Insurance is a professional qualification for those who wish to work in the insurance industry. It is designed to provide an understanding of the principles and practice of insurance, as well as the legal and regulatory framework within which it operates. The CII Certificate in Insurance is suitable for those who are new to the industry or have some experience but need to update their knowledge.

The CII Certificate in Insurance can be completed over a period of six months, although this can vary depending on the individual’s circumstances and availability. To obtain the certificate, candidates must complete four units: Principles of Insurance, Law & Regulation, Practice & Procedures and Professionalism & Ethics. Each unit has its own assessment which must be passed in order to gain certification.

In order to gain access to the CII Certificate in Insurance course materials, candidates must register with CII by completing an online application form. Once registered, candidates will receive access to all course materials including study guides and assessment papers. Candidates may also attend optional face-to-face tuition sessions if they wish.

The cost of registering for the CII Certificate in Insurance varies depending on whether you are a member of CII or not. For non-members, registration costs £420 plus VAT; for members it costs £300 plus VAT. In addition to these fees, there may be additional costs associated with attending face-to-face tuition sessions or purchasing additional learning materials such as textbooks or online resources.

2. CPCU Designation

The Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation is a professional credential awarded by The Institutes, an organization that provides risk management and insurance education. It is one of the most respected and sought-after designations in the insurance industry.

To obtain the CPCU designation, individuals must complete eight courses and pass eight examinations. Each course consists of approximately 30 hours of study and each exam typically takes three to four hours to complete. The exams cover topics such as insurance principles, law, finance, accounting, ethics, business law and economics.

The cost of obtaining the CPCU designation varies depending on the individual’s circumstances but typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 for all courses and exams combined. In addition to the cost of tuition and materials, individuals may also need to pay for travel expenses related to attending classes or taking exams at designated testing centers.

In total, it usually takes between two and three years to complete all requirements for the CPCU designation. However, some individuals may be able to finish faster if they have prior knowledge or experience in the industry.

3. Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU)

Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU) is a professional designation offered by The Institutes, a leading provider of risk management and property-casualty insurance education. It is designed to prepare individuals to become commercial underwriters and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make sound decisions when assessing risks and writing policies.

The AU program consists of three courses: Principles of Commercial Insurance, Commercial Property Insurance, and Commercial Liability Insurance. Each course takes approximately 25 hours to complete, for a total of 75 hours. Upon successful completion of all three courses, students will receive their AU designation.

The cost of the program varies depending on the delivery method chosen. Online self-study courses are available for $495 each or $1,485 for all three courses. Live webinar courses are available for $595 each or $1,785 for all three courses. In-person classroom instruction is also available at select locations for $695 each or $2,085 for all three courses.

In addition to the course fees, students must also pay an application fee of $50 when they submit their application to The Institutes.

4. Associate in Personal Insurance (API)

Associate in Personal Insurance (API) is an insurance designation offered by The Institutes, a leading provider of professional education and certification for the risk management and property-casualty insurance industry. It is designed to provide individuals with a comprehensive understanding of personal lines insurance, including auto, homeowners, and umbrella policies.

The API program consists of two courses: Principles of Personal Insurance and Practice of Personal Insurance. Both courses must be completed in order to earn the API designation. The Principles course focuses on the basics of personal lines insurance, while the Practice course covers more advanced topics such as customer service, coverage analysis, underwriting principles, and claims handling.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete both courses and earn the API designation. The cost for each course varies depending on whether you take them online or in-person; however, it typically ranges from $400-$800 per course.

To get started with earning your API designation, you will need to register for one or both courses through The Institutes website. You can also find additional information about the program on their website or contact them directly for more information.

5. Associate in Risk Management (ARM)

Associate in Risk Management (ARM) is a professional designation offered by The Institutes, a provider of risk management education. It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to assess, manage, and reduce risk in their organizations.

The ARM program consists of four courses: Introduction to Risk Management, Principles of Risk Management and Insurance, Enterprise Risk Management, and Business Applications of Risk Management. Each course is designed to provide an understanding of the principles and practices of risk management and insurance.

The ARM program takes approximately six months to complete. To get the ARM designation, individuals must complete all four courses within two years from the date they began the first course. After completing all four courses, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam administered by The Institutes.

The cost for the ARM program varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, each course costs between $450-$600 plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam.

6. Certified Professional Liability Underwriter (CPLU)

Certified Professional Liability Underwriter (CPLU) is a professional designation for individuals who specialize in professional liability insurance. It is awarded by the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS). This certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of professional liability underwriting.

The CPLU certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as legal principles, risk management, and underwriting practices. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience in professional liability underwriting or related fields. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To obtain the CPLU certification, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. Once certified, they are eligible to use the CPLU designation after their name.

The cost of taking the CPLU exam varies depending on where you take it. In general, it costs around $400 - $600 USD to take the exam.

7. Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)

Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) is a professional designation earned by individuals who have successfully completed a series of rigorous examinations that cover the fundamentals of risk management, insurance operations, and finance. The CPCU designation is highly respected in the insurance industry and is often required or preferred by employers.

To earn the CPCU designation, individuals must complete eight courses and pass five comprehensive exams. The courses are offered through The Institutes, an organization that provides educational resources for the insurance industry. Each course requires approximately 30 hours of study time, with some courses taking longer depending on the individual's learning style.

The cost to take each course ranges from $300-$400 and includes textbooks, online study materials, and access to online practice exams. In addition to the cost of the courses, there is also an application fee of $50 when applying for the CPCU designation.

Once all courses have been completed and all exams have been passed, individuals will receive their official CPCU certificate from The Institutes. It typically takes six months to one year to complete all requirements for earning the CPCU designation.

8. Certified Professional Reinsurance Designation (CPRD)

The Certified Professional Reinsurance Designation (CPRD) is a professional designation program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of knowledge, skill, and ethical practice in the reinsurance industry. It is administered by The Institutes, a leading provider of risk management and property-casualty insurance education.

The CPRD is a two-part program that includes both online coursework and an examination. The online coursework covers topics such as reinsurance principles, contract language, underwriting, claims handling, legal considerations, and more. This portion of the program can be completed at your own pace within six months or less.

To obtain the CPRD designation, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. It is offered twice a year at testing centers throughout the United States.

The cost for the CPRD program varies depending on which Institute you are enrolled in; however, it typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 USD for all materials and fees associated with obtaining the designation.

9. Associate in Claims (AIC)

Associate in Claims (AIC) is a professional designation for insurance professionals specializing in claims management. It is offered by The Institutes, an organization that provides educational and research services to the risk management and property-casualty insurance industry.

The AIC designation is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of claims handling and management. To earn the AIC designation, one must complete a series of courses covering topics such as claim laws and regulations, claim investigation techniques, and claim settlement strategies. Upon completion of these courses, individuals must pass a comprehensive examination administered by The Institutes.

The AIC designation program typically takes between 12-18 months to complete depending on the individual's experience level and course load. Individuals can enroll in the program through The Institutes' website or through their local college or university.

The cost of earning the AIC designation varies depending on which courses are chosen and how many credits are needed to complete the program. Generally speaking, it costs between $2,000 - $3,000 USD to earn the AIC designation.

10. Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM)

Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM) is a professional designation offered by the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (AICPCU). It is designed to provide insurance professionals with the knowledge and expertise necessary to effectively manage marine insurance operations.

The AMIM designation requires completion of a series of courses, including Introduction to Marine Insurance, Maritime Law, and Risk Management. The program also includes an examination that must be passed in order to receive the designation. The program typically takes between six months and one year to complete.

In order to obtain the AMIM designation, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of experience in marine insurance or related fields, such as maritime law or risk management; passing an examination; and completing all required coursework.

The cost of obtaining the AMIM designation varies depending on the institution offering it. Generally speaking, it can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars.

Do You Really Need a Assistant Underwriter Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need an assistant underwriter certificate to become an assistant underwriter. However, having a certificate from a recognized institution can certainly be beneficial.

Having a certificate means that you have gained knowledge on the technical aspects of the job which employers and clients may find valuable. It also shows that you are dedicated to your profession and willing to put in the extra effort necessary to gain a higher level of expertise. Additionally, having a certificate can make it easier for employers and clients to trust you with their business as they know that you have taken the time to learn about all aspects of the job.

Having an assistant underwriter certificate also gives you access to professional networks and resources which you can use to further your career. These resources include industry publications, conferences, seminars, webinars, online courses and more. All of these resources provide valuable information which can help improve your skillset and make you more knowledgeable about the field of insurance underwriting.

In conclusion, while having an assistant underwriter certificate is not required to become an assistant underwriter, it can certainly be beneficial in helping you gain more knowledge about the job and making yourself more attractive to potential employers or clients.

Related: Assistant Underwriter Resume Examples

FAQs About Assistant Underwriter Certifications

1. What is an Assistant Underwriter Certification?

Answer: An Assistant Underwriter Certification is a professional designation that demonstrates a person’s proficiency in underwriting insurance policies. It involves completing courses and passing exams to show that the individual has a thorough knowledge of the insurance industry, as well as specific skills related to underwriting.

2. How do I become certified as an Assistant Underwriter?

Answer: To become certified as an Assistant Underwriter, you must complete an approved course of study and pass the certification exam administered by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The coursework typically covers topics such as risk management, financial analysis, legal issues, and communication skills.

3. What are the benefits of being an Assistant Underwriter?

Answer: Becoming certified as an Assistant Underwriter can lead to increased job opportunities and better pay. It also demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and your dedication to providing quality service to clients. Additionally, it can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions.

4. What type of job can I get with an Assistant Underwriter Certification?

Answer: With an Assistant Underwriter Certification, you may be eligible for a variety of positions within the insurance industry including claims adjuster, customer service representative, underwriting assistant, sales associate, and more. Depending on your experience level and qualifications, you may even be able to move up into higher-level positions such as senior underwriter or manager of underwriting operations.

5. How much does it cost to become certified as an Assistant Underwriter?

Answer: The cost of becoming certified depends on which program you choose. Generally speaking though, most programs range from $500-$1000 depending on the length and scope of the coursework required.