New Accredited UK Insurance Claims Handling Diploma Launched by the CILA

The CILA, in association with the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), is delighted to launch its new Ofqual-accredited insurance claims handling diploma in an effort to raise standards, encourage new blood into the industry and provide another stepping stone to the CILA’s claims gold standard chartered qualification.

The Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Insurance Claims Handling (QCF) has been designed by the CILA, in partnership with Pearson VUE (the world’s leading computer-based testing and assessment business) and Pearson Work Based Learning. Any new or existing members of the CILA who successfully complete the programme will be awarded with a nationally-recognised qualification but also the designation ‘Dip CILA’.

In order to embark on the diploma qualification, new or existing members have to successfully complete the CILA certificate, which includes the Edexcel BTEC Level 3 certificate and automatically gives 18 of the required 37 credits towards the diploma qualification. If adjusting or claims personnel have completed the CII certificate, they can transfer to the CILA’s Certificate with part exemption.

Malcolm Hyde, CILA executive director said: “We are delighted to launch our new Ofqual-accredited insurance claims handling diploma, which forms part of our suite of claims examinations and upholds our strategy of continued improvement to ensure we keep pace with our dynamic membership.

“For new and young claims professionals, they can now take our certificate, then diploma before moving onto our associateship. There is a clear footpath to create tomorrow’s chartered adjusters.”

Demand for the CILA’s diploma will be driven by the numbers taking the CILA certificate. So far, approximately 65 claims personnel from leading loss adjusting companies have embarked on the certificate and 15 students have qualified to date. Over the next 12 months, it is expected that numbers will rise considerably as the qualification is available to all claims professionals worldwide who are employed by insurers, loss adjusting firms, brokers and claims presenters.

Starting the diploma is simple; all the required materials can be purchased on-line together with entry to the exam. There are up to five courses, each taking around 30-40 hours of personal study, plus candidates will be required to take the C1 paper, 'The Principles of Insurance'. The courses are easy to understand, practical and encourage the candidate to put the theory into context within their working environment. The examinations are multiple choice and can be taken at Pearson VUE centres throughout the world, at a time that suits the candidate. Results are given immediately to the candidate.