I’m a damage insurance broker or agent. Can I get certified as a claims adjuster?

Q. I’m a damage insurance broker or agent. Can I get certified as a claims adjuster?
R. As a damage insurance agent or broker, you can obtain claim adjuster certification to handle claims. Vice versa, a claims adjuster can acquire a certificate as a damage insurance agent or broker.
In May 2024, the National Assembly adopted measures to authorize this dual certification as part of the Act to amend various provisions mainly with respect to the financial sector.
Explanations
To do so, an agent or broker must pass the examinations required by the Autorité des marchés financiers (the Authority). Similarly, a claims adjuster wishing to act as an agent or broker must pass the mandatory exams.
It’s all over for certificates marked with the letter E
Prior to May 8, 2024, only an agent or broker with certificates marked with the letter E could act as a claims adjuster, under certain conditions. The certificates marked with the letter E no longer exists1.
Professionals whose certificates are marked with the letter E have until November 30, 2025 to express their interest to the Authority in converting their certificate with the letter E into a claims adjuster certificate. After this date, it will no longer be possible to make the request. The Authority will contact the certified professionals in question to assist them in their efforts, if necessary.
Your dual certification obligations
If you hold dual certification, you must comply with the codes of ethics, depending on the mandates you carry out.
In short, you must comply with the Code of Ethics of Damage Insurance Representatives for all actions taken in connection with your agent or broker certification. And if you handle claims files as a claims adjuster, you must abide by the Code of Ethics of Claims Adjusters.
Your responsibility is therefore to know and master the obligations associated with the two codes of ethics. Here’s some good advice:
- Adapt your professional development plan (see section “Your professional development obligations“).
- Use the right tools for the job you’re doing, whether as a damage insurance agent or broker, or as a claims adjuster. To find them, visit the toolbox at chad.ca.
- Keep up to date on issues relating to both certificates, for example by reading the “News” section of the ChAD website and the ChADExpress newsletter (in French only).
- If in doubt about best practices, contact Accent Déonto at info@chad.qc.ca.
Your professional development obligations
Regarding professional development obligations, you must earn 20 PDUs every two-year reference period, including the ChAD’s compulsory course. The best practice would be to draw up a professional development plan that takes both your certificates into account.
For example, you could determine a proportion of PDUs to be earned in connection with your responsibilities as an agent or broker, and a proportion of PDUs to be accumulated in connection with claims settlement, in the discipline category in which you practice (personal-line, commercial-line or both).
The benefits of dual certification for public protection
The Chambre de l’assurance de dommages supports those pursuing a second certification, with the goal of protecting the public.
Torrential rains, devastating forest fires, strong winds… the increase in the number of natural disasters in recent years has led to a rise in the number of claims and in the time taken to process claims in certain exceptional circumstances. Let’s not forget the torrential rains of August 9, 2024, for which the Insurance Bureau of Canada reported that no fewer than 70,000 home insurance claims were received by Quebec insurers in about a week2.
There’s no doubt about the inevitable pressure these situations place on claims adjusters. Not to mention that public protection in claims handling is linked to the number of industry certified professionals able to manage claims files.
In this respect, the assistance provided by agents and brokers with in-depth knowledge of insurance contracts and dual certification could be invaluable to claims adjusters. In terms of quality customer experience and public protection, this approach would make it easier to settle certain claims.
The translation of this article was done using AI but was reviewed by humans.
[1]Sections 45 and 46 of the Act respecting the distribution of financial products and services are repealed.
[2] Insurance Bureau of Canada. Press release.. « August 9 Torrential Rains: 70,000 claims received to date in Quebec », 20 août 2024.