Insurance professional designations?

I am trying to decide whether to get a CPCU designation or a CIC designation. Does anyone have one, and could you please tell me how it has helped you in your career?

I have a CPCU designation and I can tell you it is a significant undertaking in terms of the time and effort it takes to complete. The curriculum covers all types of insurance (i.e. property, casualty, marine) as well as management, insurance law, accounting and ethics. If you want a solid base of insurance knowledge from A to Z the CPCU designation is the way to go. I have never regretted earning the designation because it gave me a solid basis to understand any kind of insurance.

Many prefer to go with the CIC designation because it is more focused in specific areas of insurance that you may be interested in. The CIC Institutes split up the curriculum into five separate areas: Personal lines, commercial casualty, commercial property, life & health or agency management. Because you don't have to go through all of the offerrings you can earn your CIC designation much faster than you can earn the CPCU designation.

I'm sure the CIC folks will disagree but I think the CPCU designation carries more prestige and it gives you a comprehensive knowledge of the entire field of insurance.

The advantage to me is the knowledge I gained. With that knowledge I gained confidence. When you are dealing with the public people appreciate someone who is knowledgeable in their field and that translates into loyal customers.

If you have the time and are willing to make the committment I would go for the CPCU.

Get them both I have several designations and have earned more thanks to them. Well when I was working that is. I also have other degrees which make good money for me in my retirement. Get all you can get as long as you have the opportunity to get it.

First off, both are good designations.
If you have the time (and ambition) work on your CPCU. It will definitely give you a better grasp of insurance from top to bottom. This is good for the self-motivator because of all the study time necessary to prepare.
If you are short on time, the CIC is a little easier on the calendar. Each course is twenty hours with the exam immediately following the course. Do not underestimate the exams, you will need to study regardless of your background.

Either way, good luck

I'm working on my CPCU. I vote for teh CPCU. In order to get and keep the CIC, you need to keep taking refresher classes. Also, the CPCU is harder to get, so it's more impressive.

It's not necessarily going to get you any money, but it opens doors for you.