Important: This program is unavailable for the January 2025 start date.
About the Program
This two-year diploma program prepares you for a dynamic career in the property and casualty (general) insurance industry in Canada. Offered in cooperation with the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC), this program is anchored on the fundamental aspects of both business and insurance and was designed with experts from several national insurance firms. Your learning will focus explicitly on brokerage, underwriting and claims.
Part-time option is available >
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
4 Semesters (2 Years)
Starts
January, September
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Communications
- Problem-solving
- Business ethics
Work Experience
Optional Co-op
Students meeting all academic requirements may have the opportunity to complete an optional co-op work term(s) in a formal work environment. In most cases the work term(s) is a full-time paid position completed between two academic semesters. In programs with limited co-op opportunities, additional academic requirements and a passing grade on a communication assessment may be required for eligibility. Eligibility for participation does not guarantee a work position will be secured. Additional fees are required for those participating in the optional co-op stream regardless of success in securing a work position.
Review eligibility requirements for work-integrated learning
Your Career
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
- Insurance adviser
- Insurance broker
- Client adviser
- Insurance co-ordinator
- Asset manager
- Claims co-ordinator
- Insurance underwriter
Professional Certification
As a graduate, you will have had the opportunity to earn eight credits toward the internationally recognized Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation. There is an additional cost to challenge each of the Insurance Institute's exams. Passing these exams is required if you are pursuing the CIP designation.
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Program of Study
Course List Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
BAM101 | Introduction to Business Administration | 3 |
CIP011 | Principles and Practices of Insurance | 3 |
COM101 | Communicating Across Contexts | 3 |
or COM111 | Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched) |
MBF100 | Mathematics of Business and Finance 1 | 3-4 |
or MBF101 | Mathematics of Business and Finance |
SDG101 | Introduction to Sustainable Business | 3 |
ACC106 | Accounting I | 3 |
CIP012 | Insurance on Property | 3 |
CIP014 | Automobile Insurance Part I | 3 |
FCS240 | Foundations of Customer Service | 3 |
MRK108 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
WTP100 | Work Term Preparation * | 1 |
| 3 |
BIN331 | Business Insurance, Co-op * | 30 |
BUS400 | Business Economics | 3 |
CIP013 | Insurance Against Liability Part I | 3 |
CIP120 | Underwriting Essentials | 3 |
EAC594 | Business Communication for the Digital Workplace | 3 |
SMS202 | Business Computer Applications | 3 |
| 3 |
BIN400 | Professional Issues in Insurance | 2 |
CIP039 | Fraud Prevention and Awareness | 3 |
CIP110 | Essentials of Loss Adjusting | 3 |
CIP130 | Essential Skills for the Insurance Broker and Agent | 3 |
MGS350 | Management Studies: Canadian Business Law | 3 |
| 3 |
Note: The following courses will not fulfil a General Education requirement: ECN501 Introduction to Principles of Economics - Micro, ECN502 Introduction to Principles of Economics - Macro, ECN550 Economics: An Overview.
Program Learning Outcomes
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
- Describe the impact of major economic systems and current trends on Canadian society and business generally and the general insurance industry specifically.
- Discuss the major categories of insurance and the purpose, structure and functions of industry organizations.
- Analyze the terms of basic fire policy, automobile liability coverage, and coverage under accident benefits using risk assessment models.
- Develop an effective plan that incorporates industry standards for claims investigation. Explain the basis of evaluation to meet the insurer’s obligations.
- Describe risk underwriting in property, liability and automobile insurance, and evaluate the significance of the application, the loss experience and the impact of the Canadian legal system.
- Design, construct and use spreadsheets that will provide meaningful information to support decision making and problem solving.
- Use general accounting principles and follow internal control procedures to solve a variety of business problems.
- Explain the communication process and apply principles of effective communication in listening, speaking and writing.
- Identify sources of conflict and effectively utilize conflict management techniques.
- Analyze supply, demand, and price levels to demonstrate the functioning of the Canadian markets.
- Analyze legal problems of business in general and the general insurance industry specifically as a way of demonstrating the structure and processes of the Canadian legal system.
- Explain how brokerage and marketing objectives affect brokerage sales plans, taking into consideration the various components of a firm’s marketing plan.
- Write business communications that are grammatically sound and appropriate in tone given a particular audience and purpose.
- Analyze the dynamics and trends in global business including social, political and economic factors.
- Identify ethical issues, social responsibility and legal issues affecting Canadian business.
- Identify ethical behaviour and social responsibility through the use of case studies.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant
- English: Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent course
- Mathematics: Grade 12 C or U, or Grade 11 U or M, or equivalent course
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may satisfy the English and/or mathematics requirements for this program through successful Seneca pre-admission testing.
International Student Information
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
Pathways
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.