For the past 20 years, Florida has ranked in the top 10 states with the most new Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU(R)) designees in the nation. Since 1989, more than 1,600 Florida insurance professionals have successfully completed the program. A series of recent changes may serve to bring even more insurance people into the fold.

The CPCU designation program is a challenging course of study consisting of five foundation courses and three courses in either the personal lines or the commercial lines concentration.

In late 2008, the American Institute for CPCU and Insurance Institute of America (the Institutes) surveyed designation holders to quantify the value they place on the credentials they have earned from the Institutes. According to the survey, respondents said that the designation:

• Provided them with increased job opportunities – 91 percent.
• Fast-tracked their career progression – 85 percent.
• Helped them gain a promotion – 74 percent; 72 percent reported promotions within two years of earning the designation.
• Helped them gain a salary increase – 75 percent.
• Resulted in professional recognition – 97 percent.
• Increased their job security during organizational transitions or consolidations – 86 percent.
• Helped them prepare for their current job responsibilities – 83 percent.
• Helped them prepare for their long-term career goals – 92 percent.
• Increased their technical property-casualty insurance knowledge – 99 percent.

Financial Benefits