What does the everyday working life of insurance specialists with a federal certificate look like?

Insurance specialists work in companies of all sizes in the insurance industry as well as in public administrations, associations and organizations. With their high level of expertise and specialized knowledge, they independently take on demanding technical and consulting tasks as well as management tasks at lower to middle management level. They are very familiar with insurance processes and procedures and participate in their design and optimization.

The tasks of insurance specialists depend on their specialization:

• In the areaUnderwriting and product managementthey are involved in the design, development and implementation of insurance products. To this end, they conduct market research and observe trends. They analyze and assess contracts and draw them up.
• In theClaims and benefits processingthey are responsible for reviewing claims, compiling the facts and, if necessary, calling in the relevant specialists (including from other sectors). Finally, they determine the loss amounts and conduct the negotiations.
• In the function asBrokerthey broker insurance contracts for their customers. They plan the acquisition and carry it out. They conduct risk analyses, create coverage concepts and implement them. They also write insurance contracts and manage policies. They can also manage a brokerage firm and take on mandates.
• In theSales and supportthey are involved in the acquisition of new customers. They plan comprehensive insurance concepts based on customer needs. When advising customers, they point out the options and developments, provide information on prices and tariffs and address special conditions. If the insurance cover meets the customer's needs, they draw up the contracts and are responsible for aftercare/customer care.

Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for insurance specialists with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and the professional examination (BP) "Insurance Specialist" are suitable for

• Professionals in the insurance industry who wish to study insurance in depth and confirm their specialist knowledge with a federally recognized qualification.
• Insurance employees who want to officially certify their knowledge and skills and thus boost their career.
• The modular structure of the preparatory courses for the professional examination makes it possible to complete the individual modules with an association certificate (Vocational Training Association of the Insurance Industry VBV), even before obtaining the federal certificate. The course is therefore also suitable for junior staff and lateral entrants who want to gain a foothold in the insurance industry.

Insurance specialists should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Analytical and networked thinking
• Flair for numbers
• Flexibility and resilience
• Independent and careful way of working
• Sense of responsibility and reliability
• Trustworthiness and conscientiousness
• Empathy
• Organizational talent
• Communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to work in a team and deal with conflicts

Requirements for admission to the federal professional examination for insurance specialists:

To be able to take the federal professional examination for insurance specialists, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations:

• have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) as a commercial clerk (private insurance) and at least 2 years of professional experience in the insurance sector

Or

• have completed another 3-year basic vocational training course with an EFZ, a commercial high school diploma or a high school diploma and have passed the written examination for insurance brokers VBV and can provide evidence of at least 3 years of professional experience in the insurance sector

Or

• have passed the written examination for insurance intermediaries VBV and have at least 5 years of professional experience, of which at least 3 years in the insurance sector

And

• provide proof of valid module certificates or confirmations of equivalence

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the professional examination no later than three months before the start of the examination with a written notification (including reasons and information on legal remedies in the event of rejection).

Note: Some schools may be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for insurance specialists if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is then your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/application for the examination.

The modular course can also be completed at many schools without obtaining the federal certificate with a VBV certificate (association certificate) for the respective modules. Inquire directly with the provider of your choice as to which admission requirements apply in this case.

Subject matter and content of the training

The subject matter and content of the preparatory courses for the federal professional examination for insurance specialists are based on the specifications of the sponsoring body of the professional examination, the Vocational Training Association of the Insurance Industry (VBV).

The course material is divided into "compulsory modules", "elective modules" and "process modules", which are completed with an examination (with the exception of the "Personal Management" module). The qualifications are valid for 5 years, i.e. they are counted towards the acquisition of the federal certificate up to 5 years after completion.

In theobligatory modulesthe basic insurance knowledge and the necessary skills are expanded and deepened. These modules also serve as preparation for the elective modules.

In theElective modulesthe specialist knowledge of the various sectors is imparted. They are used for specialization. There is a whole range of optional modules to choose from, three of which must be passed for admission to the professional examination.

With theprocess modulesThere are a total of four modules to choose from, one of which must be selected (specialization). The content covered in the selected module is then also tested in the professional examination - and is also covered accordingly in the lessons of the preparation course.

Compulsory modules:

• Personal management
• Insurance industry
• Insurance law
• Insurance marketing

Elective modules:

• AHV/IV and other social insurances
• Banking and Finance
• Property insurance
• Individual life insurance
• Asset insurance
• Technical insurance
• Transport insurance
• Health insurance (mandatory / non-mandatory)
• Group life insurance (mandatory / extra-mandatory)
• Accident insurance (mandatory / non-mandatory)
• Insurance medicine

Process modules:

• Broking
• Underwriting incl. product management
• Claims and benefits processing, service management
• Sales and support

Costs and financing of further training

The costs vary depending on the provider. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 3- to 4-semester in-service training course to become an insurance specialist:

• Course fees: between approx. CHF 17,000 and 18,200 (this usually includes the examination costs for the individual modules). After the examination, you will receive up to 50% of this amount back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result).* If you are a member of the Kaufmännische Verband and complete the training at a school listed by the Kaufmännische Verband, you can benefit from a 5% discount on the course costs.
• Examination fee for modules: The modules are each completed individually with an examination. The following costs are to be expected:
  • Compulsory modules: CHF 550.- each
  • Optional modules: CHF 550.- each
• Professional examination fee: This is set by the examination organizer and currently (2022) amounts to CHF 850.
• Some providers charge extra costs for teaching materials and school documents. Find out directly from the provider of your choice what additional costs you can expect.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% of the course costs paid (max. CHF 9,500) after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• The modular further training to become an insurance specialist takes 3-4 semesters.
• The course comprises 208 lessons, which take place on two half-days per week (usually on one or two evenings per week and/or Saturday mornings).
• Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
• Thanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen your knowledge immediately in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparing and following up the lessons and for learning - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Degree, diploma and title

The professional examination for insurance specialists takes place annually, provided that at least 10 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be taken in one of the three official languages German, French or Italian.

Candidates have already selected one of the four process modules during the preparatory course (specialization):

• Broking
• Claims and benefits processing, service management
• Underwriting incl. product management
• Sales and support.

The respective specialization is now tested at the professional examination.

The exam consists of two parts:

1) Technical questions and case studies (written, 4 hours, weighting 50%)

This part of the exam includes a series of questions and tasks, such as case studies.

2) Mastering job-specific processes in contact with internal and external customers (oral, 1.5 hours, weighting 50%)

In this part of the examination, candidates must demonstrate their specialist knowledge and ability to express themselves orally in the presence of the experts.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Insurance specialist with federal certificate".

In French: "Spécialiste en assurance avec brevet fédéral"

In Italian: "Perito / Perita in assicurazione con attestato professionale federale"

In English: "Swiss Certified Insurer with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training"