The Six Parts of the Personal Auto Policy IA – (General)

Perhaps the most important aspect of any insurance policy (for both the consumer and the insurer) is the coverage extended under that policy. Personal auto insurance is no exception, and a firm understanding of all parts of the policy is vital for any property agent. This course presents each part (A, B, C, D, E, and F) of the personal auto policy one at a time, examining the general provisions and conditions stipulated in each. In addition to the basic issue of what is covered, the course takes the opportunity to explain other points, such as who is covered and what is explicitly NOT covered.

New Trends in Life & Health Insurance: Environmental & Occupational Issues IA – (General)

Health and life insurance is affected and influenced by numerous occupational and environmental issues and trends. The purpose of this course is to identify and examine these issues and trends and their relationship to life and health insurance. Topics covered include mold, mold contaminants, general liability implications, workers compensation, homeowners insurance, environmental and occupational diseases, asbestos exposure, terrorism exposure and underwriting health and life insurance.

Iowa Annuity Training Course IA – (Meets State Annuity Requirement)

Iowa Annuity Training Course

Homeowners & Dwelling Insurance IA – (General)

This course was developed to provide licensed insurance personnel to renew their continuing education requirements as well as professional development. The basics of homeowners insurance are discussed in detail. Multiple practice questions are provided to test the student grasp of homeowners insurance.

Personal Auto Insurance IA – (General)

This course discusses the basic tenets of personal auto insurance in detail. It outlines the duties that the insurer must perform along with what the insurer should expect from the insured. Multiple practice questions are provided at the end of each lesson to test the students knowledge.

Wills and Trusts IA – (General)

This course is a concise and practical guide to what every insurance professional should know about the law of Wills and Trusts – as well as a range of other matters !! while advising others. Before and during the design of a clients estate plan, the professional can provide value as part of the advisor team. In a great many scenarios, life insurance products can play a critical role in assuring the financial security the client is looking for. It is the professionals job and duty to how explain how and why. Getting to a trusted position where that is possible, however, is the challenge. This course is based on real questions, concerns and issues encountered over many years, among people at all economic levels, from modest to quite substantial. There is no better way to build trust, confidence and respect than becoming a source of knowledge on the topics and issues presented here. There is an unfortunate, widespread misconception that wills, trusts and estate planning are subjects of interest only to the wealthy. In fact, an estate plan provides the legal mechanism for disposing of property upon death in a way that recognizes wishes and the needs of ones survivors, while minimizing taxes. To- often, however, estate planning is equated with just estate tax planning. Professionals should be sensitive to personal, nonofinancial issues that are usually of a higher priority. For many, estate planning involves, even more importantly, planning for the handling of affairs in case of disability, and the deeply personal medical choices to be made as life nears its end. Estate planning is not just for rich people. Wills and Trusts are just tools in a larger process. You must be careful not to give legal advice, of course. But you can provide a great service simply by explaining, in general terms, how the moving parts work together.

Advanced Personal Auto Insurance: Endorsements, “No Fault” Insurance, Premiums, and Underwriters IA – (General)

Beyond the basic concepts of personal auto insurance and policy structure, many important issues remain to be addressed. This course presents the student with four inodepth and focused topics that represent these more advanced issues. Topics to be examined include the following: personal auto policy endorsements, ACORD and ACORD forms, No Fault insurance, the determination of personal auto policy premiums, and the underwriting of personal auto insurance.

Commercial General Liability Insurance IA – (General)

The peril of liability is one of the most severe risks facing any organization today. Operating an organization without liability insurance puts owners at risk. Learning about liability insurance is a great way to prolong the life of your organization! This course covers broad issues of liability insurance and Workers’ Compensation.

Employer Practices IA – (General)

The impact of Employer Practices for the insurance industry has become increasingly subject to legal constraints. An expanding series of laws regulate almost every facet of the employer-employee relationship. The laws deal with employee recruitment, testing, wages, benefits, nondiscrimination, occupational safety and health, workers compensation, wrongful discharge, unemployment insurance, pensions and other matters. Employers in the insurance industry must have knowledge of the law to avoid pitfalls. Employees in the insurance industry must also have knowledge of the law s- they can defend themselves when employers act illegally or when they feel their rights have been violated. Although the study of Employer Practices is worthy of several volumes, this course will provide a general overview of the more common employer practice issues confronting the insurance industry. to set the stage a brief overview is given of the industry and its employment of agents and brokers, who will be taking this course. This is followed by a history of the employer-employee relationship. In chapter one the laws are placed on a time line providing a rationale for why these prohibitions and rights were created. With this information as the foundation, the laws are outlined and employer practices, from pre-hiring to postotermination, are reviewed. This overview provides some practical applications to the law. Suggestions are made as to some dos and donts that should be considered.

Ocean Marine Insurance IA – (General)

This course was developed to help students to understand the concepts of ocean marine insurance. The basic tenets of ocean marine insurance are discussed in detail, as well as specific information regarding marine trade. Students will Understand historical background and the current coverages provided under this type of insurance.

Inland Marine Insurance IA – (General)

This course was developed to help students to understand the concepts of inland marine insurance. The basic tenets of inland marine insurance are discussed in detail, as well as specific information regarding marine trade. Students will Understand historical background and the current coverages provided under this type of insurance.

Overview of Life Settlement Industry, Current Events, and Regulatory Update IA – (General)

The purpose of this course is to explain the emerging market of life settlements. Throughout the course, students are introduced to essential industry terminology, what life settlements entail, and how the life settlements market is compared to the life insurance market. The course also offers a general overview of the industry as a whole.In addition to learning general information about the life settlements industry, students will also learn who the participants are in a life settlement and how to identify good candidates. By the end of the course, students should be familiar with the step-by-step process of this emerging market and will have an understanding of the regulation, licensing, and compliance issues involved.

Legal Responsibilities of the Insurance Agent IA – (General)

Legal responsibilities are fundamental. An insurance agent walks a difficult line with legal responsibilities to both an insurance company and a client. When the agent does not live up to these responsibilities, there is the threat of being sued. Periodically, every agent should review the legal responsibilities of an agent in modern society. An insurance agents social, ethical and professional responsibilities may be optional; but legal responsibilities are not. Legal responsibilities are the minimum amount that is required of every agent. If he does not live up to his legal responsibilities, he will end up out of business and maybe even behind bars. Because legal responsibilities are determined by common law, statute, and case law, they are evolving. An agent must remain current, making adjustments for trends and refinements. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a knowledge and understanding of these legal responsibilities and insurance principles. Topics include: Principles of Insurance, Characteristics of Legal Responsibilities, Illegal Acts of an Insurance Agent, Ethics in the Insurance Agency, and Legal Issues in Insurance Fraud.

Long Term Care IA – (Long Term Care Fulfills LTC Requirement)

This Long Term Care course was designed, constructed and written to provide students with comprehensive continuing education in the area of Long Term Care and Long Term Care Insurance while also satisfying many state’s special required LTC training. The harsh realities of aging in America are coming into sharp focus Baby Boomers approach retirement and the longer term health issues that come with prolonged life and increased longevity. Consumers cannot rely on Medicare, Medicare supplementary insurance, or health insurance to help them meet Long Term care costs. These do not cover most Long Term care expenses.The subject matter includes LTC Landscape, LTC Basics, LTC Providers and Services, Paying for LTC, Regulations and LTC, Definitions, Federal and State LTC Insurance benefit ‘Triggers’, Premium and Benefit Taxation, LTC Insurance Policy provisions, Home Care issues, Company stability, Consumer Protection, Alternatives to LTC Insurance, and the basics of LTC Partnerships.The NAIC Long Term Care Insurance Model Act and the NAIC Long Term Care Insurance Model Regulation sections are all included within this course as well as a significant amount of LTC material beyond the fundamentals included in the models and regulations.The Long Term Care course is a continuing education course to enhance the professional competence of financial and insurance professionals aspiring to make Long Term Care insurance a cornerstone of their personal mission, as well as to fulfill their commitment to their clients to stay up to date on key areas that affect them and their families.

Introduction to Personal Auto Insurance and the Personal Auto Policy IA – (General)

Auto insurance, one of the most common and important consumer insurances, is a fundamental component of property insurance. Students taking this course will learn why this form of insurance is mandated by examining the basis of legal liability and the protection from it that personal auto insurance offers to insureds. Topics addressed include: the persons and automobiles covered by the policy, the basic structure of a personal auto policy, definitions pertinent to the language of the policy, and standard coverage using ISO forms.

Mold & The Insurance Industry IA – (General)

One of the hottest issues facing the insurance industry today involves toxic mold claims under both personal and commercial lines policies. After several recent multiomillion dollar judgments, attorneys are comparing this to asbestos and lead paint claims with regard to the litigation potential. From the standpoint of commercial exposures, toxic mold claims are beginning to rival ‘construction defect’ claims in numbers and magnitude. Home and business owners are looking to their insurers and contractors, building material suppliers, plumbers, and others for remuneration for real or perceived property damage and bodily injury. Mold exists everywhere in our environment. Some molds like penicillin are beneficial, while other types of mold can cause health problems. Concern over so-called ‘toxic mold’ is growing as the medical community begins to understand some of the ailments such mold can cause. Other than EPA and CDC guidelines, there appear to be few, if any, state or federal regulations regarding mold infestations and remediation. Lack of mold awareness also has been part of the problem. The truth is that while liability issues may be debated among insurers, property professionals, and others, uncontrolled mold growth will only heighten property and health claims unless quickly checked and remediated. The goal of this course is to increase awareness of mold and its affect on the insurance industry.

Insurance Fraud Awareness IA – (General)

The insurance industry in the United States consists of more than 5,000 companies with over $1.8 trillion in assets. The insurance industry is one of the largest and most interdependent of the United States industries, making it a critical U.S. industry. Insurance fraud has become one of the most prevalent and costly white-collar crimes. According to a published study by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF), fraud is among the most prominent cost components escalating the costs of insurance. The CAIF has estimated the annual loss figures relative to insurance fraud (non health insurance) to be approximately $26 billion. F raud is costing companies, businesses, and individuals, who pay higher insurance premiums. Identifying, targeting, and dismantling those individuals, organized groups, and con artists committing fraud against the insurance industry will accomplish reducing the amount of economic loss to the insurance industry due to fraud. This course provides an overview of insurance fraud, which will provide the student with an understanding of the nature, costs, results and methods of preventing insurance fraud. The ultimate goal of this course is to increase awareness of insurance fraud and demonstrate the importance of preventing insurance fraud. Topics covered include: Ethics, Fraud Detection and Prevention, Patterns and Indicators of Fraudulent Claims, Legal Issues, and Consumer Protection.

Ethics & Fraud IA – (Ethics Fulfills Ethics Requirement)

According to the Washington, DC-based Coalition / Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF) for the insurance industry, and for the public as well, insurance fraud costs $85 billion per year. With such substantial damage, it is no wonder that the industry is making significant efforts to battle this cancer. The industry has decided that increasing public awareness of fraud is its main course of action. The coalition strongly believes that public attitudes are crucial to curtailing fraud. There are no easy solutions to the problems of insurance fraud. Consumers, legislators, regulators, and insurers must work together over the long term to create an environment that either prevents insurance fraud or detects it easily when it occurs. The first step in this process is creating a baseline understanding of the problem and potential solutions .

Legal & Moral Issues in the Insurance Industry IA – (General)

Our industry is being besieged by matters of compliance. This is especially true in the areas of life insurance and securities. Some may privately express the view that compliance is an impediment to doing business and doing it successfully. But isnt the question really: should shortoterm gains take priority over Long Term client relationships? At first sight, it seems that career agents for the major companies are most affected by strict compliance regulations. While, independent insurance agents and those not closely associated with a major insurer are untouched by compliance requirements. Compliance enforcement and oversight may be more difficult, as those who supervise agents activities may be further removed in time and place from the sales process. The intention of this course is to refocus you on compliant and ethical professional behavior. If you always concentrate on a clients needs and place them above your own, compliance should not be an obstacle in your practice. Putting the client first seems a simple concept, but sometimes it is difficult to implement. Topics covered include: Compliance, Ethics and Professionalism , Our Working Legal Framework, Communication and the Sales Process, Common Compliance Problems, Ethics and Compliance in Practice.

Flood Insurance IA – (General)

This course explains the essentials of flood insurance based on the standards set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It opens with the background and features of the National Flood Insurance Program, along with a discussion of who needs flood insurance. It then explains flood maps, zone determinations and available products and policies.The general rules and rating process for flood insurance are discussed in detail , along with the claims handling process and the requirements of the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004. Last, agents Understand the flood resources available to them. This course provides helpful guidelines for agents who wish to sell flood policies.

Agency Operations IA – (General)

This course is designed to encompass key issues in the business of agency operations. It looks at the various aspects of risk management, and outlines the workings of the insurance markets as they exist today. to highlight the importance of procedural issues, the course also focuses on issues of Errors and Omissions, and links the same to various aspects of the agency business.

Estate Planning Basic IA – 1 hr(s) (General)
This course focuses on are the proper methods of holding legal title to property during your life, and passing your estate on to your heirs in a manner and timing of your choosing, all with minimum taxes and intervention by the legal system. It begins with a consideration of the estate planning process and the documents of transfer. The course then addresses the transfer tax system and the calculation of an individuals estate tax liability. Estate planning techniques such as trusts, marital and charitable deduction vehicles, and intra-family business and property transfers are then discussed. The course ends with a consideration of postomortem tax planning.

Anti-Money Laundering IA – (General)

Money laundering plays a fundamental role in facilitating the ambitions of the drug trafficker, the terrorist, the organized criminal, the insider dealer, and the tax evader, as well as the many others who need to avoid the kind of attention from the authorities that sudden wealth from illegal activities brings. By engaging in this type of activity, criminals hope that their proceeds will be beyond the reach of asset forfeiture laws. Financial institutions such as insurance companies are at the forefront of the battle against the money launderers. Under current legislation, insurance companies are responsible for policing their financial dealings and reporting any suspicious transactions. This course will dwell upon the new regulatory environment of the insurance industry vis a vis money laundering, specifically the USA Patriot Act 2001. The course aims to highlight the key aspects of the USA Patriot Act namely, the Suspicious Activities Report (SAR) and the Know Your Customer provision (KYC).

Life, Health, Disability and Long Term Care IA – (General)

This course provides a general overview of the principles and mechanics of Life, Health, Disability and Long Term Care insurance. These four policies are amongst the most widely-selling policies in the insurance industry.This course examines each type of insurance as to its function and need, and then explores deeper into each policy with related definitions, additional coverages, endorsements, and exclusions. Real-life situations and examples will illustrate the applications of each policy, and aid in the understanding of concepts related to Life, Health, Disability and Long Term Care insurance.

HIPAA for the Insurance Professional IA – (General)

This course provides information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Specifically, you will learn: what the purpose, scope and benefits of HIPAA are, what is the significance of the Administrative Simplification section of HIPAA, how nonocompliance is penalized, what changes HIPAA regulations require, what standards HIPAA enforces, how privacy and security are differentiated, what impact HIPAA can have on you and your organization, and how you can make your organization HIPAA-compliant.

Ethics for Insurance Professionals – Basic IA – (Ethics Fulfills 2 Hrs Ethics Requirement)

This course covers the basic concept of ethics with a detailed definition and what it entails. We will discuss the role of ethics in our personal as well as professional lives and the challenges faced. We will also discuss the core ethical values and how rationalization is used as a common tool. Finally, we will talk about the framework of ethical decisionomaking and conclude with a brief discourse on ethics and conflict of interests.