When it comes to picking an insurance agent, you have options. How do you know you’re working with someone you can trust who is also experienced and knowledgeable? Three little letters after the agent’s name can help. The Certified Insurance Counselor’s designation, or CIC, is nationally recognized for the designee’s dedication and knowledge of the insurance industry. Why should this designation matter as you look for an insurance agency? Let’s break down what the CIC designation is and why it could make a difference for you.
What is a CIC Designation in Insurance?
A CIC designation is a credential earned by insurance professionals through advanced training, showing their commitment to excellence. The designation isn’t required by the insurance industry, so seeing “CIC” after someone’s name signifies that they are taking an additional step to ensure they’re providing better guidance to their customers. Awarded by the Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, a group dedicated to risk management and insurance education, the CIC is designed for licensed agents, brokers, or those with at least two years of full-time experience in insurance or risk management.
How CIC Training Helps You
How can you benefit from the additional training your CIC-designated agent receives? Working with a Certified Insurance Counselor means your agent is better equipped to assess your risk and provide coverage options that best fit your needs. In a constantly changing insurance landscape, maintaining the designation means that your agent is up-to-date on the latest information and best practices. Consider cyber liability insurance. While not a new offering, this product continues to grow in importance as internet reliance and cyberattacks become more common in everyday business risk analysis. Your CIC insurance agent is trained to apply all of this knowledge to real-world situations so they can offer options that fit your unique insurance needs.
What it Takes to Earn the CIC Designation
Not everyone is a Certified Insurance Counselor. To go the extra mile to earn this designation, the agent must complete five CIC designation courses. Course topics include agency management, commercial casualty, commercial multiline, commercial property, insurance company operations, life & health, and personal lines. Each CIC training course is followed by a two-hour, essay-style exam, and all exams must be passed within five calendar years. The time commitment to earn this designation is not one to take lightly. Even after earning the title, CIC insurance agents keep learning with ongoing education to maintain it. At Mulling Insurance, we believe that kind of dedication reflects a lifelong passion for helping clients.
How to Find a CIC Insurance Agent
While a national CIC database doesn’t exist, many CIC insurance agents share their credential in their email signature, LinkedIn profile or on the agency’s website. If you’re not sure if your agent holds the designation, you can also just ask! Mulling Insurance encourages agents to earn the CIC designation, and five of our agents currently have the designation, among other top-notch industry certifications.
Choosing an agent with a Certified Insurance Counselor designation is one way to know you’re getting thoughtful, well-informed coverage options. Our CIC insurance agents bring extensive training and a commitment to staying sharp so you can feel confident in your insurance options. Ready to work with someone who has the knowledge to offer options for your unique needs? Contact Mulling Insurance today to connect with one of our CIC-designated agents and protect what matters most to you.