Course Overview

This course introduces the foundational structure of property and casualty insurance while developing practical claim-handling awareness across major coverage areas and regulatory environments. Participants examine how insurance policies transfer risk, how coverage is organized, and how claim obligations are evaluated within the broader legal and operational framework of the insurance industry.

The course begins with core insurance principles, including insurable risk, indemnity, policy structure, underwriting considerations, and the relationship between first-party and third-party coverage. It then progresses through major property and casualty coverage areas, including commercial property, inland marine, crime, auto, casualty, workers compensation, professional liability, cyber liability, product liability, umbrella coverage, and specialty liability concepts.

Attention is also given to claim investigation, documentation, valuation, liability analysis, coverage interpretation, and regulatory compliance. Participants review how policy language, exclusions, legal obligations, ethical standards, and jurisdiction-specific requirements affect claim handling decisions. Throughout the course, practical applications reinforce how adjusters and insurance professionals separate coverage issues, evaluate exposure, document claim activity, and maintain compliance with legal and ethical standards.

The course is designed to provide a structured understanding of insurance operations and claim-handling principles while reinforcing professional standards, policy-based analysis, and accurate coverage evaluation.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the foundational principles of property and casualty insurance, including risk transfer, indemnity, insurable interest, and policy structure.

2. Distinguish between first-party and third-party insurance coverage and identify how different coverage forms respond to loss exposures.

3. Identify the purpose and structure of major property and casualty coverages, including commercial property, inland marine, crime, auto, liability, workers compensation, professional liability, cyber liability, and umbrella coverage.

4. Describe how policy provisions, exclusions, conditions, limits, and endorsements affect claim evaluation and coverage analysis.

5. Recognize common liability exposures involving bodily injury, property damage, professional services, cyber events, employment relationships, and product-related losses.

6. Apply basic claim-handling principles involving investigation, documentation, communication, valuation, reserving, and coverage evaluation.

7. Explain how regulatory requirements, unfair claims practices standards, and ethical obligations affect insurance operations and claim handling.

8. Identify the role of state insurance regulation, licensing requirements, solvency oversight, market conduct regulation, and federal involvement in insurance.

9. Recognize the importance of accurate documentation, objective evaluation, and professional communication during the claim process.

10. Apply foundational insurance concepts to practical claim scenarios involving multiple coverage issues, liability relationships, and regulatory considerations.