The Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) program is a specialized curriculum focusing on the insurance and risk management needs of construction projects and contractors. Those who complete the program are entitled to display the CRIS certification to certify their knowledge of construction insurance and risk management and dedication to the industry.
These are intermediate level courses
You may particpate in any of the courses for Continuing Education and you are NOT required to test if you are not pursing the desigantion.
The test is 50 multiple choice questions, per Core course, with unlimited retakes. You will receive a voucher with online exam access and instrutions for each core course.
Benefits:
- Gain specialized expertise in construction insurance and risk management.
- Knowledge to make wiser insurance and risk management decisions for their employees and work more effectively with their agents/brokers.
- Increase competence, confidence, and credibility of insurance professionals who sell to contractors.
Participants must pass all five courses within five years to qualify as a holder of the CRIS certification. Each course is independent of the others and you may complete them in any order you choose.
Class Times: 8:30am - 4:15pm
Classes are presented via ZOOM - click on the dates below to register for the course.
SHOULD I GET MY DESIGNATION?This program is recommended for any agency staff including agents, brokers, agency principals, producers, account managers and customer service representatives who design, sell, buy, or underwrites construction insurance programs. These are intermediate level courses.
Designation Requirements
To earn the CRIS designation, candidates are required to participate and complete five insurance and risk management continuing education courses directly focused on the unique needs of construction projects and contractors. You must also complete the online exams - vouchers are given at the end of each course to complete the exam online, at your convenience. You have multiple attempt to complete the exam. You receive CEC's just for taking the Zoom course, but to obtain the designation you need to pass the exam after each course. We recommended you complete each exam before taking the next class.
Class Requirements
Commercial Liability Insurance for Contractors | February 6, 2024
This course—Commercial Liability Insurance for Contractors—will examine each of the three coverage parts of the commercial general liability (CGL) policy—bodily injury and property damage (Coverage A), personal and advertising injury (Coverage B), and medical payments (Coverage C)—including the insuring agreement and exclusions. Although contractors may avail themselves of the coverage provided under all of the coverage parts, the most significant coverage section for contractors, and for most other business entities, is Coverage A—“bodily injury and property damage.” Consequently, that section of the policy will receive more emphasis in this course than other coverage parts. After a careful review of the basic policy’s coverage parts, key policy provisions and conditions will be examined, such as who is an insured, limits of insurance, and notice requirements. Finally, various endorsements that can be attached to the policy to broaden or restrict the scope of coverage or otherwise alter the basic policy terms and conditions will be reviewed.
Contractual Risk Transfer in Construction | April 11, 2024
This course—Contractual Risk Transfer in Construction—provides a general overview of contractual risk transfer in construction contracts and subcontracts, with specific attention to those provisions that present risk and insurance implications for contractors. It reviews the structure of construction contracting relationships and the key provisions in which responsibilities and liabilities are allocated to the contracting parties, and suggests methods to equitably allocate these liabilities. It also examines processes for ensuring the effectiveness of contractual risk transfers, and identifies problems that may arise if contracts are not properly reviewed and their risks managed.
Commercial Auto, Surety, CIPs, and Miscellaneous Lines | June 19, 2024
This course—Commercial Auto, Surety, CIPs, and Miscellaneous Lines— begins with a description and brief analysis of the typical structure and format of a contractor’s insurance program. It provides an overview of various additional coverage needs of many contractors, including auto liability, professional liability, pollution liability, employment practices liability, directors and officers liability, and fiduciary liability insurance. It also discusses the two coverage triggers—occurrence and claims-made—with particular emphasis on the latter which is often used with professional liability policies. This includes many scenarios displayed in exhibits that illustrate how the trigger works. In addition, this course provides an overview of two special areas of importance for contractors—consolidated insurance programs (CIPs) and surety bonds.
Property Insurance for Contractors | September 17, 2024
This course—Property Insurance for Contractors—examines the coverage provided by three types of property insurance policies: commercial property policies, builders risk policies, and contractors equipment policies. Commercial property policies provide insurance on existing buildings and their contents. The contractor purchases this type of policy to respond to loss or damage in connection with its own facilities. Builders risk policies provide insurance on property being constructed, installed, altered, or repaired. The builders risk policy for each project may be purchased by either the contractor or the project owner. Contractors equipment policies provide insurance on the mobile equipment that is used in construction activities. They are purchased by the contractor as the owner (or lessor) of the equipment. The course also briefly overviews two other types of property insurance policies that contractors may need: commercial crime policy and equipment breakdown policy.
Workers Compensation for Contractors | November 12, 2024
The interaction of workers compensation insurance with state workers compensation and federal workers compensation laws is unique in the insurance industry, and changes in these acts or the regulations implementing them have profound effects on the insurance line. Since this is the most costly property and casualty insurance coverage for most contractors, the insurance products and methods of handling this risk have evolved and grown accordingly. This course, Workers Compensation for Contractors, is designed to provide detailed information on workers compensation and employers liability insurance. It begins with an introduction to workers compensation, reviews the workers compensation policy itself, provides an overview of the various ways workers compensation insurance is purchased and alternatives to insurance, explains WC rating, and reviews the various steps of the WC experience rating process.