Management Courses
Management courses include subjects pertaining to the Registered Insurance Brokers Act (RIB Act) and Regulations, human resources, general management, accounting and generally topics relevant to the operation of a property and casualty insurance brokerage.
Some examples of courses that have received previous approval include these topics:
- Employee management
- Sales performance management
- Brokerage management
- Since the pandemic began, some new arising topics may include safe business practices and how to run a brokerage from home.
It would not be unusual to see a firm submit their meeting minutes seeking Management hours. In cases like these, it is important to make sure that the content is applicable for RIBO hours. For example, some updates that would not qualify include updates on office renovations, staff changes, etc.
Technical Courses
Technical courses include subjects directed towards imparting of general insurance product knowledge and/or technical insurance expertise including risk management and loss prevention.
These are some examples of what received previous approval:
- Topics relating to insurance product/industry knowledge
- Cyber liability and cyber data protection
- These are becoming more popular, partly due to many businesses working remotely since the pandemic began.
These are some examples of what would not qualify for RIBO hours:
- Courses about the insurance company, such as a ‘self-advertisement’
- Courses that explore insurance practices that only apply to other jurisdictions
- Courses pertaining to life insurance (as that is not something RIBO brokers deal with)
Ethics Courses
Ethics courses include subjects relating to the rules or standards that govern decisions on a daily basis. Topics should examine ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment, such as recognizing and managing situations that could result in a conflict or potential conflict with the professional and legal obligations to the consumer.
RIBO recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. There are increasing demands for brokers to ensure equality and inclusion in the workplace. DEI topics may include reviewing the use of language to not exclude or diminish the self-worth of clients or how brokers can best manage situations such as discrimination in the workplace.
Examples of courses that have received previous approval include topics such as codes of conduct, ethical sales practices, etc.
Courses that deal with communicating with clients and customer service would fall under the Professional Development category, not Ethics.
Professional Development
Professional development includes subjects pertaining to skills required to function efficiently in a property and casualty insurance brokerage office as a customer service representative or as a producer. Subjects would include, but are not limited to, sales and marketing skills, and communication and writing skills.
This category covers a broad variety of topics that may be beneficial to brokers in their day-to-day operations.
Examples of courses that have received previous approval include topics such as how to use Microsoft Office products, emails, customer service, and sales practices to better serve potential/existing clients.
Courses about accounting and/or financial planning typically would not apply, as that leans more towards the financial adjuster or planner side.
Sessions teaching employees about CRMs or Broker rating tools (i.e. AutoPlus) or any kind of mandatory employee training would not be eligible for RIBO hours, as it is not considered ‘continuing’ education.