Insurance Advisor Diploma
The Insurance Advisor program provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge required to work in the insurance industry in a variety of different capacities and may include careers within a call centre environment. It prepares students to write the provincial licensing examination. In addition, the program introduces students to different practices and positions within the industry. Students also gain skills and experience in using the most commonly used insurance database and quoting software in Canada. The Academy of Learning is currently the only organization in Canada offering a program that incorporates license preparation training along with actual hands-on experience with insurance products.
In partnership with Professional Development Training Center, students will write their Level 1 Provincial Licensing examination.
Duties & Responsibilities
Insurance Advisors work in an environment that ranges from administrative to technical work. The insurance industry expects individuals to uphold their professionalism. Their duties may include:
- Answering inquiries from customers both on the telephone and in person
- Providing information on the organization’s products and services
- Processing miscellaneous documentation
- Updating and extracting client data
- Maintaining updated and confidential files
- Ensuring accurate documentation of all transactions
- Completing forms
- Using relevant software applications proficiently
- Communicating clearly with customers and colleagues
- Working effectively in a business office
Career Opportunities
Recent studies indicate a shortage of qualified candidates across the country. A huge demand is expected over the next few years. Careers that correspond with the skills learned in this program include:
- Insurance Advisor
- Insurance Broker
- Insurance Agent
- Customer Service Representative
- Sales Representative
- Account Manager
- Underwriter
- Underwriter Assistant
- Claims Assistant
Program Outline
In the Personal Computer Fundamentals for End Users course, students learn about the components and basic operation of the personal computer. The content in this course is both conceptual and practical, and is intended to provide students with a working knowledge of computing. Students explore hardware troubleshooting, file management, multimedia options, and browsing the Internet.
This course covers the basic concepts and most commonly used features and functions of Windows 10. The course will walk you through performing basic operations such as opening applications, using Help and shutting down the computer. Additionally, you will learn to set up user accounts, create and use custom keyboard shortcuts, personalize and organize the working space, and use the Action Centre. The course will also provide you with a hands-on experience on how to connect, use and update devices, use File Explorer to manage files and folders, as well as navigate the internet using various browsers, including Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.
The Introduction to Keyboarding course is designed for individuals who have no formal training in keyboarding. The objective is to teach students the skill of keyboarding – essential to the learning of other computer applications and workplace skills. The course begins with an overview of the basics of computer use. Students learn about the components of the computer and keyboard, as well as the seating, posture, and hand positioning necessary for efficient keyboarding.
The Keyboard Skill Building Level 1 course is designed for individuals who have basic keyboard proficiency, and wish to increase speed and dexterity. Each lesson increases key recognition and builds confidence using the keyboard, while improving speed and accuracy. Speed achieved depends on personal dexterity and time spent on practice lessons. Students who are not already familiar with the TypingTrainer software program are introduced to it. Typing Trainer helps students learn and improve skills using a variety of methods: graphical keyboard drills, speed drills, alphabet drills, word, phrase and sentence drills, and keyboarding Self-Tests. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to keyboard at minimum 25 words per minute.
The Microsoft Access Level 1 course teaches students the fundamentals of the Microsoft Access application. In this course, students examine database objects and learn to manage data in a database. They learn to sort and filter data, display and format data, and use simple queries to retrieve data. Students learn to create and modify databases and tables, and work with simple forms and reports.
The Microsoft Access Level 2 course teaches students advanced-level concepts and features of the Microsoft Access application. In this course, students work with advanced and complex queries, forms, and reports. Students learn to create PivotCharts and PivotTables, import and export data, use macros, and maintain, optimize, and document a database.
In the Microsoft Excel Level 1 course, students learn to create and manage worksheets and workbook files; enter data and create basic formulas to perform calculations. They learn to edit and manipulate cell content, modify worksheet structure, view and format worksheets, and use Excel’s predefined functions. Students use the Find and Replace feature, use themes to format workbooks and practice preparing, previewing, and printing worksheets.
In the Microsoft Outlook Level 1 course, students will learn how to use both the e-mail program and the personal information manager components of Microsoft Outlook. The skills learned in this course will help students use Microsoft Outlook effectively both at work and in your personal life.
In Microsoft Word Level 1 course, students learn to create, navigate, and organize documents and use the help functions. They learn to edit and manipulate text, view and format documents, and use Word’s predefined functions. Students use the Find and Replace feature, use proofing and language tools, create, format and modify tables, work with hyperlinks and cross references, and learn how to preview and print a document.
The Fundamentals of Insurance course prepares students to write their Level 1 Provincial Licensing examination. They will be familiarized with insurance vocabulary, requirements of insurance licensing, ethics, and professionalism. Comparisons of coverages and exclusions for various automobile, homeowners, commercial, and accident and sickness policies are investigated. This course provides the basis for anyone requiring knowledge to enter the insurance industry. Students learn about insurance through policy interpretation. The course presents the concepts and practices used by Insurance Professionals in areas such as sales, service, marketing, claims, and underwriting. Questions and study checklists are included at the end of each chapter, with four section reviews and ten quizzes interspersed throughout the lessons to reinforce the concepts covered and to help students measure their progress.
The Skills and Practices of Insurance Advisors course introduces students to the practices in insurance offices. This course is designed to provide an overview of the different career options within the insurance industry, and processes used in completing insurance transactions. Students learn about the different processes that are specific to the insurance industry. This will enable students to apply their technical knowledge to real insurance situations through role-playing. Practice exercises and questions are included to reinforce the concepts covered and to help students measure their progress.
The Business Verbal Communication course is designed to introduce students to the primary aspects of successful verbal communication in a business context. Students will develop and implement an action plan for continuously improving their own verbal communication skills. They gain practical knowledge about business communications that can be applied in real-world scenarios. In this course, students learn to identify and work toward excellent verbal interaction, whether through speaking, listening, asking questions, conducting or participating in meetings, or conversing on the telephone.
This course will teach students the fundamentals of customer service, and help them to develop core competencies for providing excellent customer service. Students learn the definition of customer service, who their customers are, and how to be customer service oriented through description and examples. They learn tips for managing time and stress, communicating effectively with customers, and managing customer relationships. The course highlights being prepared, and dealing professionally with customer conflicts and complaints. It identifies common pitfalls and explains how to avoid making them. It also emphasizes the importance of gathering and responding to customer feedback, and maintaining a professional image.
The Principles of Selling course is designed to introduce students to the sales professi
on. Students gain an understanding of the environment in which they will be selling, as well as the skills and knowledge relating to the consultative selling approach. Students learn how to target the right client and the right market, and how to read clients and assess their buying motives.
on. Students gain an understanding of the environment in which they will be selling, as well as the skills and knowledge relating to the consultative selling approach. Students learn how to target the right client and the right market, and how to read clients and assess their buying motives.
Job Search and Résumé Writing provides students with both traditional and innovative job-search techniques and résumé writing skills required to gain employment in today’s competitive marketplace. The course combines theoretical, how-to information with hands-on practical applications. Students are required to draw on their own experiences to identify work preferences, accomplishments, technical and transferable skills, and to research, organize, and analyze information; and to apply their knowledge in a series of job search preparation and implementation tasks.
The course is designed to improve the student’s learning experience and prepare him or her for personal and professional growth and success. The focus is on increasing the student’s self-discipline and self-esteem. The positive concepts taught in this course are intended to unleash the student’s potential for growth and creativity, resulting in personal and professional development. Humor and practical examples are used to target the primary concerns of adult students. In addition, written exercises, activities, and audiotapes provide understanding, acceptance, and reinforcement of the program material.