Top 10 Insurance Account Executive Certifications

Certifications are important for insurance account executives in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and proficiency to employers. Certifications show that an individual has met certain standards and has a working knowledge of the insurance industry. Employers want to be sure that their candidates have the necessary skills and qualifications to effectively perform their role, so having a certification can help them stand out from other applicants. Additionally, certifications often provide continuing education opportunities, which can help keep account executives up-to-date on industry trends and regulations.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Insurance Account Executives and explains how they can contribute to an insurance account executive's career growth.

What are Insurance Account Executive Certifications?

Insurance Account Executive Certification is a certification program designed to help insurance agents develop the skills necessary to provide quality service and effective advice to their clients. The program is typically offered by insurance companies, professional organizations, and universities and provides instruction on topics such as insurance laws, regulations, products, risk management, customer service and sales techniques. It also provides knowledge about marketing strategies and how to build relationships with clients.

This certification can help insurance agents become more knowledgeable about the industry and better able to serve their clients. With this certification, agents can gain a competitive edge in the market by demonstrating their expertise in the field. They will be better prepared to answer questions from potential customers and provide them with accurate information regarding coverage options. Additionally, they will be more comfortable discussing complex policies with customers due to their increased understanding of the product details.

Having this certification can also help an agent build credibility among current and potential clients. It can show that they are knowledgeable in their field and have taken the time to invest in developing their skillset. This may lead to more referrals from satisfied customers or even employers looking for experienced account executives who possess a certain level of expertise in the industry. Ultimately, this certification can help an agent succeed in today’s competitive marketplace by providing them with the knowledge needed to keep up with changing trends in the field while giving them an edge over other agents who lack similar credentials.

Pro Tip: Make sure to stay up to date on all the latest insurance account executive certification requirements, as they can change over time. Be sure to take advantage of online resources that provide up-to-date information and training on the latest trends in the industry. This will give you a competitive edge when applying for positions in this field.

Related: What does an Insurance Account Executive do?

Top 10 Insurance Account Executive Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Insurance Account Executives today.

1. Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)

The Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) is a professional designation offered by The Institutes, a global leader in delivering proven knowledge solutions that drive powerful business results for the risk management and property-casualty insurance industry. It is considered the gold standard of professional designations in the insurance industry.

The CPCU program requires eight courses, each of which covers a specific area of knowledge related to the property-casualty insurance industry. The courses are: Introduction to Insurance, Personal Insurance, Commercial Property Insurance, Commercial Liability Insurance, Finance & Accounting for Insurance Professionals, Management for Insurance Professionals, Business Law for Insurance Professionals and Ethics & Professionalism.

It typically takes about two years to complete all eight courses and pass the associated exams. However, depending on an individual’s prior experience and education level, it may take less or more time.

To get started on your CPCU journey you must first become an Associate member of The Institutes by registering online at https://www.theinstitutes.org/register/. Once registered you can then purchase course materials and register for exams through their website or by calling them directly at 800-644-2101.

The cost of becoming a CPCU varies depending on how many courses you need to take and what type of materials you choose (online vs printed). Generally speaking, it will cost approximately $2,000 - $3,000 USD to become a CPCU if all course materials are purchased online through The Institutes website.

2. Associate in Risk Management (ARM)

Associate in Risk Management (ARM) is a professional certification offered by The Institutes, a leading provider of risk management and insurance education. It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and manage risk in their organizations.

The ARM program consists of four courses: Principles of Risk Management, Risk Financing, Enterprise Risk Management, and Analyzing & Managing Risk. Each course requires approximately 30 hours of study time. The total cost for the program is $1,400 (USD).

To get the ARM designation, you must successfully complete all four courses and pass the final exam. You can take the courses online or through self-study materials. Once you have completed the program requirements, you will be awarded your ARM designation.

The cost for each course varies depending on whether you choose to take them online or through self-study materials. The cost for taking all four courses online is $1,400 (USD). If you choose to take them through self-study materials, the cost is $1,200 (USD).

3. Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC)

Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) is a professional designation in the insurance industry that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a broad and comprehensive knowledge of risk management and insurance principles. The CIC program is administered by The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, an independent, non-profit organization.

The CIC program consists of five courses covering topics such as personal lines, commercial lines, life and health, agency operations, and ethics. Each course must be completed within one year to receive the designation. It typically takes four to six weeks to complete each course.

To get the CIC designation, you must pass all five courses with a minimum score of 75%. You must also have at least three years of full-time experience in the insurance industry or related field prior to taking the exam.

The cost of the CIC program varies depending on your location and whether you are taking classes online or in person. Generally speaking, it costs around $2,000-$3,000 for tuition and materials.

4. Certified Professional Liability Underwriter (CPLU)

Certified Professional Liability Underwriter (CPLU) is a professional designation awarded by The Institutes, a global leader in risk management and insurance education. This designation is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practices of professional liability underwriting.

To obtain the CPLU designation, applicants must pass an exam administered by The Institutes and meet certain educational requirements. Applicants must have at least one year of experience in the field of professional liability underwriting or related activities, as well as either a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in the field.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as underwriting strategies and techniques, legal concepts, claims handling, risk management principles, and industry regulations. The exam is offered twice a year and can be taken online or at designated testing centers.

The cost to take the CPLU exam is $250 for members of The Institutes and $350 for non-members. Additionally, there are fees associated with obtaining study materials and taking practice exams prior to taking the actual exam.

5. Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI)

Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) is a professional designation awarded by The Institutes, a leading provider of insurance education and training. The AAI designation is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of insurance. It requires the successful completion of five courses, including Principles of Insurance, Personal Lines Insurance, Commercial Property & Liability Insurance, Life & Health Insurance, and Agency Operations & Regulation.

It typically takes three to four months to complete the courses required for the AAI designation. Each course consists of 10-15 hours of online study material as well as an online exam. After successfully completing all five exams, you will be eligible to receive your AAI designation.

The cost for the AAI program is $1,200 plus applicable taxes. This fee covers all five courses and exams as well as one year’s access to The Institutes’ library resources.

You can apply for the AAI program directly through The Institutes’ website or through an approved partner school or organization that offers this program.

6. Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)

Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) is a professional designation that is widely recognized in the life insurance industry. It is awarded by The American College of Financial Services, and it signifies expertise in the field of life insurance.

To obtain the CLU designation, individuals must complete nine courses and pass a comprehensive exam. The courses cover topics such as taxation, estate planning, retirement planning, investment planning, and risk management.

The entire process typically takes about two years to complete. However, students can take up to five years if needed.

In order to become a CLU, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements set by The American College of Financial Services. These include having at least three years of experience in the life insurance industry or an equivalent degree from an accredited college or university.

The cost for obtaining the CLU designation varies depending on several factors including course selection and exam fees. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 for tuition and other associated fees.

7. Certified Risk Manager (CRM)

Certified Risk Manager (CRM) is a professional certification program that provides risk management professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage risks within an organization. The CRM program was developed by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).

The CRM program consists of three levels: Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Certified Risk Analyst (CRA), and Certified Risk Specialist (CRS). To become a CRM, individuals must pass the Level I exam, which covers topics such as risk identification, risk assessment, and risk management processes. After passing this exam, individuals can then take the Level II and III exams to become a CRA or CRS respectively.

The process of becoming a CRM typically takes between 6-12 months depending on an individual's prior experience in risk management. Individuals must first complete an online application and pay the registration fee before taking the Level I exam. The cost for this exam is $450 for GARP members and $550 for non-members.

Once all three exams have been successfully completed, individuals will receive their official certification from GARP and will be able to use the designation “CRM” after their name. This certification is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

8. Associate in Commercial Underwriting (ACU)

Associate in Commercial Underwriting (ACU) is a professional designation offered by The Institutes, an organization that provides educational programs and services to the insurance industry. It is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career as a commercial underwriter.

The ACU program consists of six courses covering topics such as risk management, commercial lines underwriting, and pricing and rating. To obtain the ACU designation, individuals must successfully complete all six courses within two years.

The cost of the ACU program varies depending on whether you choose to take the courses online or in-person. Online courses typically range from $500-$1,200 per course, while in-person courses can range from $1,000-$2,000 per course.

In order to get the ACU designation, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam administered by The Institutes at the end of their program. This exam tests knowledge of commercial underwriting principles and practices. Individuals must also have at least three years of experience working in commercial underwriting to be eligible for the exam.

9. Associate in Reinsurance Administration (ARA)

Associate in Reinsurance Administration (ARA) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a level of expertise in the field of reinsurance administration. The ARA designation is awarded by the Reinsurance Administration Association (RAA) and is recognized as the premier certification for reinsurance professionals.

It typically takes two years to complete the requirements to earn the ARA designation. The first year includes completing an approved course of study, which consists of four courses: Introduction to Reinsurance, Reinsurance Accounting, Reinsurance Law and Regulation, and Risk Management & Analysis. The second year involves passing an examination that covers all four courses.

In order to be eligible for the ARA designation, applicants must have at least three years of experience working in reinsurance or a related field. Additionally, applicants must submit an application form along with their transcripts and proof of experience.

The cost to obtain the ARA designation varies depending on the institution offering the program. Generally, it costs between $2,000 - $4,000 USD for tuition and fees associated with completing the required courses and taking the exam.

10. Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)

Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) is a designation earned by insurance professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the areas of customer service, policy processing, and risk management. This certification is offered through The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research and is designed to help insurance agents and brokers better serve their clients.

To become a CISR, candidates must complete five core courses and one elective course. The core courses cover topics such as personal lines coverage, commercial lines coverage, agency operations, customer service, and risk management. The elective course focuses on either personal lines or commercial lines.

The cost to become a CISR depends on the number of courses taken. Each core course costs $299 while each elective course costs $349. In addition to the cost of the courses, there is also an exam fee of $125 per course that must be paid when taking the exam.

In total, it takes approximately three months to complete all six CISR courses and exams. After completing all requirements for the designation, individuals will receive their official Certified Insurance Service Representative certificate from The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.

Do You Really Need a Insurance Account Executive Certificate?

The insurance industry is highly regulated and requires professionals to have specific qualifications in order to handle customer accounts. An Insurance Account Executive Certificate is one such qualification that may be necessary for certain roles. This certificate provides a comprehensive overview of the insurance industry and can provide account executives with a better understanding of the products and services they are responsible for selling.

Earning an Insurance Account Executive Certificate can provide numerous benefits to those interested in pursuing a career in this field. It demonstrates knowledge and expertise, which can make you more attractive to employers. It also allows you to stay up-to-date on all the latest changes in the industry, allowing you to better serve your customers. In addition, having a certificate can give you a competitive edge when applying for positions within the insurance industry.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Insurance Account Executive Certificate depends on what type of role you are seeking within the insurance industry and what qualifications will be required by employers. Generally speaking, if you are looking for an entry-level position or want to advance within this field, it is advisable to obtain this certificate as it will help demonstrate your knowledge and capabilities.

Related: Insurance Account Executive Resume Examples

FAQs About Insurance Account Executive Certifications

Q1. What qualifications do I need to become an Insurance Account Executive?

A1. To become an Insurance Account Executive, you will typically need a bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, or a related field. You may also need to have completed industry-specific certifications or licensing exams, such as the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) exam or the Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) exam.

Q2. How long does it take to get certified as an Insurance Account Executive?

A2. The length of time it takes to get certified as an Insurance Account Executive depends on which certification you choose and how much experience and study you put into it. Generally speaking, most certifications can be completed in 6-12 months if you are dedicating yourself full-time to the process.

Q3. Is certification as an Insurance Account Executive required?

A3. While certification is not always required by employers, having a certification can give you an edge in the job market and provide evidence of your knowledge and skillset related to insurance account executive roles.

Q4. What type of jobs can I pursue with an Insurance Account Executive Certification?

A4. With a certification in insurance account executive roles, you can pursue many different types of jobs such as sales representative, underwriter, customer service representative, claims adjuster, risk manager, and more!

Q5. Are there any online courses available for obtaining my Insurance Account Executive Certification?

A5: Yes! There are many online courses available for obtaining your insurance account executive certification from reputable providers such as The Institutes (www.theinstitutes.org), Kaplan Financial Education (www.kaplanfinancialeducation.com), and The American College of Financial Services (www.theamericancollege).