Top 11 Insurance Clerk Certifications

Certifications are important for an insurance clerk in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has a level of expertise and knowledge required to do the job. Certification programs provide the insurance clerk with the opportunity to learn industry-specific skills and gain hands-on experience. This can help them stand out from other candidates who may not have such qualifications, making them more attractive to employers. Additionally, certifications give employers confidence that their employee is up-to-date on all relevant regulations and laws, as well as any new developments in the industry.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Insurance Clerks, and explains how they can help to enhance an insurance clerk's career.

What are Insurance Clerk Certifications?

Insurance clerk certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s understanding of the insurance industry and the processes involved in providing customer service to clients. It shows employers that the individual has the knowledge and experience needed to provide quality customer service, as well as handle various administrative tasks related to insurance policies.

The certification requires individuals to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as policy forms, underwriting principles, rate calculations, legal regulations, customer service principles and data entry techniques. The exam also tests an individual’s ability to interpret policy language and identify key issues related to insurance contracts.

Having an insurance clerk certification can help individuals in many ways. It will demonstrate their commitment to the profession and their willingness to learn more about it. Having this certification may give them an edge when applying for positions in the insurance industry. It can also lead to higher salaries and better job opportunities due to its value in demonstrating knowledge and expertise in the field. Furthermore, having this certification may open up opportunities for advancement within an organization or even into higher-level positions within the industry.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the certification requirements for insurance clerks in your state or region before pursuing any certification program. Some states may require additional courses, tests, or continuing education in order to maintain your certification.

Related: What does an Insurance Clerk do?

Top 11 Insurance Clerk Certifications

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

1. Certified Insurance Clerk (CIC)

Certified Insurance Clerk (CIC) is a professional designation offered by the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the field of insurance.

In order to become a Certified Insurance Clerk, you must first complete a two-day course that covers various aspects of insurance, such as risk management, underwriting, claims processing, customer service, and legal issues. After completing the course, you must pass an exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and lasts approximately two hours.

The cost of the CIC program varies depending on location but generally ranges from $400-$600. In addition to the cost of the course and exam fees, there are also annual renewal fees associated with maintaining your certification.

Once certified, you will have access to exclusive resources from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research including webinars, newsletters, industry updates, and more. You will also be able to display your CIC designation on business cards and other marketing materials.

2. Certified Professional Insurance Clerk (CPIC)

Certified Professional Insurance Clerk (CPIC) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the insurance industry. It is awarded by the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research, an organization dedicated to providing educational services to insurance professionals.

The CPIC certification program consists of three courses: Principles of Insurance, Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance. The courses are offered online or in-person at various locations throughout the United States. To qualify for the CPIC certification, individuals must successfully complete all three courses within two years.

To get the CPIC certification, individuals must first register with the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research. After registering, they will need to complete an application form and pay a fee of $150. Once their application has been approved, they will be able to access the course materials and take the exams online or in-person at one of the designated test centers.

In order to pass each exam, individuals must achieve a minimum score of 70%. Upon successful completion of all three exams, individuals will receive their CPIC certification from the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.

The cost of obtaining a CPIC certification is $150 for registration fees plus any additional fees associated with taking the exams in-person at one of the designated test centers.

3. Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)

Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) is a professional designation for insurance agents and brokers. It is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of property and casualty insurance, including commercial, personal, and life insurance. The CISR program is designed to help agents and brokers better serve their clients by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage risk.

The CISR program consists of five courses that cover topics such as policy analysis, customer service, risk management, underwriting principles, and claims handling. To earn the designation, individuals must successfully complete all five courses within two years. Once completed, individuals will receive a certificate from The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.

To get started on the CISR program, individuals must first register with The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. Registration costs $195 and includes access to all five courses as well as study materials and practice exams. After registration is complete, individuals can begin taking the courses at their own pace. Each course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and can be taken online or in person at one of The National Alliance’s training centers across the country.

Once all five courses are completed within two years of registering for the program, individuals must pass an exam to receive their CISR designation. The exam costs $125 and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover all aspects of property and casualty insurance. Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals will receive their CISR certification from The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.

In total, it typically takes between 6-8 months to complete the entire Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) program depending on how quickly you complete each course. In terms of cost, registration fees are $195 plus an additional $125 for the final exam which brings the total cost to $320 USD.

4. Certified Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (CLU-F)

The Certified Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (CLU-F) is a professional designation awarded by The American College of Financial Services to individuals who have completed an advanced training program in life insurance and financial planning. To obtain the CLU-F designation, candidates must complete an intense three-year program of study that includes courses in life insurance, financial planning, taxation, estate planning, investments, and more.

The program consists of four core courses: Life Insurance Planning; Financial Planning Process; Investment Planning; and Taxation for Financial Planners. Candidates must also complete two elective courses from a list of approved topics. Upon completion of the required coursework and successful passing of the comprehensive exam, candidates are eligible to receive the CLU-F designation.

It typically takes three years to complete the CLU-F program. Candidates can enroll in the program at any time throughout the year by submitting an application through The American College’s website or by calling their customer service department.

The cost for the CLU-F program varies depending on which courses are taken and how quickly they are completed. Generally speaking, it costs approximately $2,000 - $3,000 to complete all of the required coursework and pass the comprehensive exam.

5. Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)

Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) is a professional designation awarded by The Institutes, an organization that provides education and research for the risk management and property-casualty insurance industry. The CPCU designation is recognized as a mark of excellence in the industry, and it is highly sought after by employers.

The CPCU program consists of eight courses covering topics such as insurance operations, finance, law, ethics, accounting, and risk management. To earn the CPCU designation, individuals must pass all eight exams within five years. Each exam requires approximately 40 hours of study time.

To get started on the path to earning your CPCU designation, you will need to register with The Institutes and purchase study materials for each course. The cost of the program varies depending on which materials you choose to purchase; however, it typically ranges from $1,000 - $2,000.

Once you have passed all eight exams within five years and met other requirements set by The Institutes (such as completing a professional experience requirement), you will receive your official CPCU certificate.

6. Associate in Claims (AIC)

The Associate in Claims (AIC) is a professional designation offered by The Institutes, a leading provider of insurance and risk management education. It is designed to provide insurance professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful claims adjusters. The AIC designation is recognized throughout the industry as an indication of expertise in the field of claims adjusting.

It typically takes three years to complete the requirements for the AIC designation. To obtain the AIC, you must first complete two courses offered by The Institutes: Principles of Claims Adjusting and Advanced Claims Adjusting. Once these courses are completed, you must then pass a comprehensive exam. Upon passing this exam, you will receive your AIC designation.

The cost for obtaining the AIC designation varies depending on which course format you choose. Online courses typically cost between $600-$900, while in-person classes can range from $1,000-$2,000. You may also need to purchase textbooks or other study materials related to your coursework. Additionally, there is a fee associated with taking the comprehensive exam that ranges from $150-$200.

Overall, obtaining an Associate in Claims (AIC) designation requires dedication and hard work but it can be well worth it for those looking to advance their career in claims adjusting and insurance services.

7. Associate in Risk Management (ARM)

Associate in Risk Management (ARM) is a professional designation offered by The Institutes, a leading provider of risk management and insurance education. The ARM designation provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to help organizations identify, assess, and manage risk. It is designed for those who are new to risk management or those who want to enhance their existing skillset.

The ARM program consists of four courses that focus on the fundamentals of risk management and insurance: Principles of Risk Management, Foundations of Property-Casualty Insurance, Foundations of Life-Health Insurance, and Enterprise Risk Management. Each course is completed online at your own pace and can be completed in as little as three months.

To earn the ARM designation, you must successfully complete all four courses and pass an exam administered by The Institutes. The cost for each course ranges from $250-$500 depending on the course you choose. Upon completion of all four courses, there is an additional fee for the exam which is currently $350.

In total, it will take approximately three months to complete the program and obtain your ARM designation. The cost for completing the program is approximately $1,400-$1,800 depending on which courses you choose to take.

8. Associate in Reinsurance (ARe)

Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) is a professional designation offered by The Institutes, a leading provider of risk and insurance education. This designation is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in reinsurance or related fields. It provides an opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the reinsurance industry.

The ARe program consists of four courses: Principles of Reinsurance, Reinsurance Law, Reinsurance Accounting, and Risk Management & Insurance. Each course requires approximately 40 hours of study time and must be completed within one year from the date of enrollment. The cost for each course is $395 USD plus applicable taxes.

To obtain the ARe designation, candidates must successfully complete all four courses and pass a comprehensive exam with a score of 70% or higher. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will receive their ARe certificate as well as access to continuing education opportunities through The Institutes.

9. Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR)

Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) is a certification program that provides customer service representatives with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide excellent customer service. The program is designed to help customer service representatives develop the skills and techniques needed to ensure customers have a positive experience.

The ACSR certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service fundamentals, communication and problem solving, customer relations, and customer feedback. After completing the online course, participants must take an in-person exam at an approved testing center.

The cost of the ACSR certification program varies depending on the provider. Generally, it costs between $100-$300 for the online course and $50-$100 for the in-person exam.

It typically takes about six weeks to complete the ACSR certification program from start to finish. However, this time frame can vary depending on how quickly you are able to complete the online course and pass the in-person exam.

10. Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI)

Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) is a designation offered by The Institutes, a leading provider of professional education and credentials for the risk management and property-casualty insurance industry. The AAI program is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the complexities of insurance products, services, and operations.

The AAI program consists of four courses: Principles of Risk Management & Insurance, Personal Lines Insurance, Commercial Lines Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance. Each course includes online exams that must be passed in order to earn the AAI designation.

In order to become an AAI, you must complete all four courses within three years. Each course costs $495 plus any applicable taxes. After completing all four courses, you will receive your official AAI certificate from The Institutes.

To get started on your journey towards becoming an Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI), visit The Institutes website to register for the program and purchase the required courses.

11. Certified Professional Liability Underwriter (CPLU).

Certified Professional Liability Underwriter (CPLU) is a professional designation offered by the Insurance Institute of America (IIA). It certifies that individuals have mastered the skills and knowledge required to underwrite professional liability insurance. The program provides specialized training in the areas of legal, regulatory, and financial aspects of professional liability insurance.

The CPLU program consists of four courses: Professional Liability Underwriting Principles; Professional Liability Underwriting Practices; Professional Liability Risk Management; and Professional Liability Claims Administration. Each course is eight weeks long and must be completed within one year from the date of registration. Upon successful completion of all four courses, students are eligible to take the CPLU exam.

The cost for the CPLU program is $1,895 for members of IIA and $2,195 for non-members. The cost includes all course materials, access to online resources, and one attempt at the CPLU exam.

To become a Certified Professional Liability Underwriter (CPLU), individuals must complete all four courses within one year and pass the CPLU exam with a score of 75% or higher. Once certified, individuals will have demonstrated their expertise in professional liability underwriting principles and practices.

Do You Really Need a Insurance Clerk Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no. An insurance clerk certificate is not a requirement for employment in the field of insurance. However, depending on the type of job you are looking for and the company you are applying to, it may be beneficial to have an insurance clerk certificate.

Having an insurance clerk certificate can demonstrate that you have knowledge and understanding about the principles and practices related to the industry. It can also show potential employers that you are serious about your career in insurance and that you take your job seriously. Having an insurance clerk certificate could give you an advantage when competing for jobs with other applicants who do not have one.

Additionally, having an insurance clerk certificate can open up more opportunities for advancement within the industry. Many companies prefer to hire employees who have advanced knowledge of their particular field or specialty area. If you want to move up in the ranks of your chosen profession, obtaining a certification can help make this possible.

In summary, while an insurance clerk certificate is not required by law or necessary for most positions within the industry, it may be beneficial depending on your specific goals and aspirations within the field of insurance.

Related: Insurance Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Insurance Clerk Certifications

1. What is an Insurance Clerk Certification?

Answer: An Insurance Clerk Certification is a credential that recognizes an individual's knowledge and experience in the insurance industry. It demonstrates mastery of the fundamentals of insurance, including policy types, underwriting, risk management, claims processing, customer service, and more.

2. Who can get an Insurance Clerk Certification?

Answer: Any individual who has a background in the insurance industry or who has taken courses related to the field may be eligible for an Insurance Clerk Certification.

3. How do I become certified as an Insurance Clerk?

Answer: To become certified as an Insurance Clerk, you must complete a certification program offered by a recognized organization or institution. You will typically need to pass examinations and/or demonstrate your knowledge of the principles of insurance through coursework or other activities.

4. How long does it take to get certified as an Insurance Clerk?

Answer: The time required to become certified as an Insurance Clerk varies depending on the specific certification program you choose and your level of prior experience in the field. Generally speaking, it takes between six months to one year to complete a certification program.

5. What are the benefits of becoming certified as an Insurance Clerk?

Answer: Becoming certified as an Insurance Clerk can help you gain recognition from employers and customers alike for your expertise in the field of insurance. It also provides access to career advancement opportunities and potential salary increases due to increased qualifications and job responsibilities associated with certification status.