Wharton and Chubb Establish High-Net-Worth Insurance Advisor Certification for Agents

WARREN, N.J., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School have created an educational program that will help select agents and brokers better understand the risk management and insurance needs of their high-net-worth clients. Following successful completion of the one-year program—the first of its kind to focus on a specific customer segment in the personal insurance marketplace—agents and brokers will receive a professional certification.

The Certified Advisor of Personal Insurance (CAPI) program leverages Chubb's expertise in agent and broker education and high-net-worth risk management, as well as its longstanding relationship with Wharton, to offer a course of study that will help agents differentiate themselves to existing and prospective clients.

"It takes a very skilled agent to advise the affluent on managing a unique set of exposures created by their assets and often high-profile business, family and personal activities," said Kathleen Tierney, chief operating officer of Chubb Personal Insurance. "Chubb was the pioneer in focusing on serving the affluent community more than 30 years ago, and as a result, we have a deep understanding of the complex needs of this marketplace. By working with some of the world's best business educators at the Wharton School, we plan to transfer some of that knowledge to agents and brokers. As Certified Advisors of Personal Insurance, these agents and brokers will demonstrate to their customers and peers that they possess a high level of skill, expertise and credibility in advising on high-net-worth risk management and insurance."

The curriculum for the 12-month certification program will include six modules: The high-net-worth mindset; customizing insurance solutions; building client relationships; selling; excelling in the high-net-worth arena; and sustaining excellence. Agents will complete a broad range of courses, including Collections (art, jewelry, antiques, wine, etc.); Family Security; Tapping Centers of Influence; and Promoting Your Personal Brand.

The courses will be led by Wharton Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance Christopher Geczy, who is also academic director of the Wharton Wealth Management Initiative. He will be joined by other Wharton faculty, as well as experts in insuring fine arts, yachts, high-limit liability and other risks.

"The Wharton-Chubb CAPI program gives agents what they need to fully engage with high-net-worth clients and family offices," Geczy said. "The program is unique in the industry. It covers a diverse yet absolutely critical set of topics important for high-net-worth clients and their families, and it delivers key core content which draws on the research and practice of our faculty."

The program is intended for agents and brokers with at least three years of experience in personal insurance and a proven track record of high-net-worth sales, centers of influence management or account management expertise.

The first 12-month program will start in November 2014 with three days of classes on the Wharton campus at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The program will conclude a year later with more on-campus training at Wharton. During the year, the agents will come together for classes at Chubb Personal Insurance headquarters in Whitehouse Station, NJ. Other instruction throughout the year will involve virtual classes, webcasts, reading assignments and other online activities.

To earn the CAPI certification, enrolled agents must successfully complete all six modules plus a capstone project. Those interested in the program should contact the personal insurance manager at the Chubb branch in their area to obtain more information and an application.

About Chubb

Since 1882, members of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies have provided property and casualty insurance products to customers around the globe. These products are offered through a worldwide network of independent agents and brokers. The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies is known for financial strength, underwriting and loss-control expertise, tailoring products for the needs of high-net-worth individuals and commercial customers in niche markets and select industry segments, and outstanding claim service.

The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies is the marketing term used to describe several separately incorporated insurance companies under the common ownership of The Chubb Corporation. The Chubb Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange CB and, together with its subsidiaries, employs approximately 10,000 people throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia. For more information regarding The Chubb Corporation, including a listing of the insurers in the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, visit www.chubb.com.

About the Wharton School and the Wharton Wealth Management Initiative

Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates ongoing economic and social value around the world. The school has 5,000 undergraduates, MBA, Executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 9,000 annual participants in executive education programs; and a powerful alumni network of 92,000 graduates.

The Wharton Wealth Management Initiative (Wharton WMI) offers programs across every finance discipline—from securities industry regulations to the latest in quantitative data analysis. Whether you are an investor, an advisor, or an organization, Wharton WMI's wealth management offerings are tailored to specific needs and will deliver knowledge for immediate impact. Wharton WMI also partners with top-tier wealth management firms to create transformative custom education programs.

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
15 Mountain View Road
P.O. Box 1615
Warren, New Jersey 07059
Contact: David Hilgen
(908) 903-4165
Email: dhilgen@chubb.com

Aresty Institute of Executive Education
The Wharton School
University of Pennsylvania
Contact: Eleena de Lisser
Director of Marketing Communications
(215) 898-7239
Email: execed-pr@wharton.upenn.edu

SOURCE Chubb Group of Insurance Companies