Management Courses
Definition: 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 & casualty insurance brokerage.
Examples of courses that have received previous approval include topics such
as:
o Managing employees
o Managing sales performance
o Brokerage management
- With the onset of COVID-19, 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 actually applicable for RIBO hours. Updates on office renovations, staff changes, etc. for example would not qualify.
Technical Courses
Definition: Subjects directed towards imparting of general insurance product
knowledge and/or technical insurance expertise including risk management and loss
prevention. Examples of courses that have received previous approval include:
- Topics relating to insurance product/industry knowledge
- Cyber liability as well as cyber data protection have also been becoming
more popular again partly due to a lot of businesses working remotely due
to COVID-19. - Courses about the Insurance Company (like a “self-advertisement”) would not qualify for RIBO hours.
- Courses that explore insurance practices that only apply to other jurisdictions may not qualify for RIBO hours.
- Courses pertaining to life insurance would not qualify as that is not something RIBO brokers deal with.
Ethics Courses
Definition: 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. As society grows more diverse, so do the demands of brokers to ensure
equality and inclusion in the workplace. DEI topics may include reviewing the use of
language as not to exclude or diminish the self-worth of clients2 or how brokers can best
manage situations that of 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
Definition: Subjects pertaining to skills required to function efficiently in a property &
casualty insurance brokerage office as a customer service representative or as a
producer. Subjects would include, but 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/financial planning typically would not apply as that
leans more towards the financial adjuster/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