CRIS

Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) Designation Program
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.

More than 1,300 insurance professionals have obtained the certification, and more than 1,500 are working toward it. 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. The CRIS Certification establishes Credibility and Dedication.

The insurance needs of contractors are quite complex, and insurance generalists frequently make errors in designing programs for their clients. Thus, the CRIS program was developed by IRMI in response to concerns expressed by many contractors about the difficulty of determining whether their insurance agents, brokers, and other risk advisers had the specialized knowledge necessary to properly design and arrange their insurance programs. Completing the CRIS curriculum will assure that the agent, broker, consultant, or in-house risk manager or insurance purchaser understands the most important insurance needs of contractors.

To obtain the CRIS certification, you complete 5 one-day specialized courses and pass the online exams on construction risks and insurance.

Commercial Liability Insurance for Contractors
This course 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.

Contractual Risk Transfer in Construction
This course 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. 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.

Commercial Auto, Surety, CIPS & Miscellaneous Lines
This course 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. 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
This course examines the coverage provided by three types of property insurance policies: commercial property policies, builders risk policies, and contractors’ equipment policies.

Workers Compensation for Contractors
This course is designed to provide detailed information on workers compensation and employers liability insurance. It begins with an introduction to workers compensation, explaining how the law has evolved from the first state act in 1902 to its current status today. Today’s state WC laws are examined, including who is covered and under what circumstances. Next is the workers compensation policy itself. Since this is the form used in the majority of states, the focus is on the 1984 National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) policy as revised in 1992. The various parts of the policy are explained in detail.


CRIS Reaccredidation Requirement (7 hours)
When you obtain the CRIS certification, it is valid for 24 months. To maintain the CRIS certification, you obtain only 7 hours of approved construction risk and insurance continuing education credit every 12 months thereafter (generally one online course or a seminar).


DATES and LOCATIONS:  Please check the Calendar section of this website for scheduled dates and locations.

COST:  Registration fees are $195 per course for Arizona Big I Members and $220 for Non-Members.  An option luncheon may be added for an additional $15.

Benefits of CRIS:

Credibility—With the CRIS certification behind your name, you make a statement to construction and insurance professionals that you understand the complex insurance needs of contractors and how to meet them.

More sales—Retail insurance agents and brokers will parlay their increased expertise, confidence, and credibility into more sales to construction accounts.

Agent/Broker Directory Listing—Retail insurance agents and brokers may elect to have their name, firm, and phone number included in the directory of CRIS construction insurance agents and brokers. This is a free listing in a directory being promoted to contractors as a source for insurance professionals who are focused on the construction industry.

Lower insurance costs—Insurance buyers and risk managers will use their new knowledge to make better insurance buying and risk management decisions for their companies.

Arrange superior insurance programs—Knowledge gained from the CRIS courses will help you eliminate dangerous coverage gaps and provide better protection for your employer or your clients.

Career advancement—Whether you are an insurance professional, lawyer, safety professional, insurance manager, or risk manager, the specialized knowledge and credibility you gain from the CRIS CE program will make you a more valuable employee and help you achieve your career goals.

Leverage your CE investment—Insurance agents or brokers can simultaneously get convenient state CE credit and an insurance industry certification at a very low cost.

Who Should Take the CRISProgram?
Anyone who designs, sells, buys, or underwrites construction insurance programs should consider taking the CRIS program. You should consider the CRIScontinuing education program if you are a(n):

·                                 Insurance agent or broker

·                                 Customer service representative (CSR)

·                                 Insurance underwriter or adjuster

·                                 Risk manager or insurance manager of a construction company

·                                 Contractor CFO, controller, or other executive who buys insurance

·                                 Construction safety professional who wishes to expand your horizons

·                                 Risk and insurance consultant

·                                 Construction lawyer

·                                Risk manager of another organization with substantial construction activities

CFMA Endorses CRIS
The Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) has endorsed CRIS as a certification its member contractors could consider when selecting an agent or broker.  The CFMA also refers its contractor members to the CRIS Directory of Agents/Brokers who are current with the CRIScertification.

Who is IRMI?
The Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) continuing education (CE) program for contractors, insurance agents, brokers and others is brought to you by International Risk Management Institute, Inc. With a focus on this industry for 30 years, IRMI has established itself as the authority on construction risk management and insurance. IRMI is publisher of Construction Risk Management, Contractual Risk Transfer, and many other books on construction risk and insurance issues, and it sponsors the IRMI Construction Risk Conference and other construction risk and insurance seminars.

Learn more at www.CRIS-CE.com