What to expect from a career in the Insurance Industry
Insurance programs at Ontario colleges open many career opportunities in the field, whether you wish to work independently or as part of an insurance company or brokerage, and whether you choose to play an administrative role or become a practicing insurance agent.
If you’re interested in a career in the insurance field, here’s what you need to know.
Insurance Courses
One-year certificate programs teaching technical practices and customer service in the insurance industry give students the communication, problem-solving and administrative skills necessary to act as an intermediary between insurance companies and clients.
Two-year business insurance programs are structured to satisfy general insurance industry training requirements so graduates can practice in the field. Classes will focus on three areas:
- Insurance-Related Courses. Classes such as insurance claims, brokerage, underwriting, insurance principles and more will give students industry-specific knowledge.
- Business Courses. Accounting, finance, law and marketing courses will give students the business skills they need to work in an insurance agency or brokerage.
- Personal Development Courses. Students will also be taught organizational, critical thinking and communication skills to prepare them for work with a diverse clientele.
Business insurance programs offer essential credits for the Chartered Insurance Professional certificate through the Insurance Institute of Canada and toward RIBO licensing through the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada.
General Insurance Program Requirements
Insurance programs at Ontario colleges require an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, including a grade 12 English credit. Business insurance programs will require a senior mathematics credit.
Note: If you have already completed an insurance certificate program, you may find you qualify for special admissions in the business insurance program. Check each program’s admission requirements carefully.
Insurance Jobs and Salaries
Careers in the insurance industry before certification include (but are not limited to):
- Insurance underwriting
- Risk management consulting
- General work in a brokerage service
Graduates of insurance programs have an average starting salary of around $35,000 per year, which will grow with experience. Licensed professionals, such as insurance brokers or agents, claims examiners, underwriters and insurance adjusters, could see salaries between $40,000 and $60,000 per year.
Ontario Colleges Offering Insurance Programs
Use the left-column navigation to refine your search by College, Program Availability, Program Start Date and more, or see the table below for a complete list of insurance programs at Ontario colleges.
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