Professional education allows for more career success, better customer service: poll

A majority of Canadians believe keeping up with professional education helps most people in their careers and allows insurance professionals to deliver better service, suggests findings from a new poll commissioned by the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Results from the online poll, conducted by Leger Marketing, notes that 91% of respondents believe people who take courses related to their profession are more likely to have greater job success.  

In terms of the property and casualty insurance industry, 88% respondents said it is important to them that their insurance professional takes regular courses related to their profession, and 87% said they feel more confident they are adequately covered if their insurance professional has education credentials.

Other highlights from the survey include:

• Most Canadians (81%) would be less inclined to give their business to an insurance professional who does not maintain their education
• Nine out of ten Canadians with property and/or casualty insurance say they would better trust an insurance professional with up-to-date credentials
• 82% of respondents agreed that an insurance professional who has received an education designation in their field is more likely to give a comprehensive and qualified quote for an insurance policy

The survey of 1,502 Canadians was completed online between Oct. 22, 2012 and Oct. 24, 2012.

From Feb. 25 to March 1, the annual National Education Week for insurance professionals will be rolled out across the country at 19 local Insurance Institutes, linked to the theme of Elevate. Educate. Celebrate.