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Certified Expert in Microinsurance

Are you seeking to understand microinsurance? Would you like to know how this product proposition could benefit your clients or organization?  The Certified Expert in Microinsurance provides you with an understanding of the target market, marketing strategies and distribution channels to be successful with this product proposition.

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is introducing a course aimed to provide insights on how microinsurance can benefit low-income populations and help organizations (e.g., banks, MFI, insurance companies and brokers) to tap into a new, high potential market segment.  

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management has designed an exclusive international e-learning programme tailored to insurance, microfinance and bank practitioners world-wide and implements a first pilot jointly with the Ghana Insurance College (GIC) as partner in West Africa.

What Do We Offer?

  • An interactive e-learning course including video lectures, PDF scripts, examples, practical exercises, online tests and case studies
  • A discussion forum for course related issues as well as for exchange of opinions and experiences with peers, tutors and the FSDF e-Campus team
  • Personalized support from your e-Campus team
  • Possibility to achieve a Frankfurt School certificate after passing the final exam or a confirmation of course completion after completing the course.

Tuition Fees*

Registration Date Fee
Before Jan. 15, 2024 EUR 1,350*
After Jan. 15, 2024 EUR 1,550*

Final exam fee: An additional final exam fee will be charged for the second and third final exam attempt.

Discounts:

  • 10% group discount (for 2 or more participants working for the same institution, informed to us before by an email)
  • 10% for FS Alumni
  • for company packages, please contact us
Payment Options
  • Bank transfer (bank fees have to be covered by the participant)
  • Credit card
  • PayPal

Payment in instalments is unfortunately not possible.

*Subject to change

Target Audience

The target audiences for this e-learning course are MFI management and employees, insurance management and employees, bankers, central bankers, and students (preferably with insurance, banking and/or finance background) who wish to gain insights into successful microinsurance management.

Workload

The course takes approx. 6 months assuming 5-6 hours of self-study per week. It consists of 7 units which build upon each other. You will take the units in sequence and will  need to pass an online multiple choice test before accessing the next unit.

Unit 4 and Unit 7 include an assignment which you will need to submit at a fixed deadline.

You are not sure if you manage to complete the course within 6 months? No worries! You can apply for a course extension (6 more months) against an administrative fee.

Dates

Course Start Course End Registration Early Bird
Sept. 1 Feb. 29 Jun. 1 - Sept. 1  By Jul. 15
Mar. 1 Aug. 31 Dec. 1 - Mar. 1 By Jan. 15

Course contributes to UN SDGs

This course will enhance your knowledge in the following SDGs. The SWA offers professional and executive courses dedicated to the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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All our courses contribute to the following SDGs

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Registration

Registration is now open.

Course Content*

The microinsurance sector is an evolving sector, which is impacting how low-income individuals and MSMEs protect themselves against everyday risks. Nevertheless, due to microinsurance’s emerging role in microfinance, research is relatively new and few institutions offer executive training in the field. Insurance, microfinance and bank specialists can benefit greatly from learning about the current trends in the microinsurance market and the unique demands of this sector, including product development, marketing, distribution or customer and sales relationship management.

The course is divided into 7 units that follow the order of the value chain for a microinsurance product. A step by step introduction of the most relevant aspects covers the conceptual and market research phase, product development, communication and marketing, distribution, and client relations management.

Course Objectives

Frankfurt School’s Certified Expert in Microinsurance provides practitioners with a certification of essential know-how to prepare organizations for the development and/or introduction of a microinsurance value proposition. The course incorporates real case studies, hands on exercises and lessons learned to illustrate the theoretical material.

Suggestions & recommendations

While you decide on the timing and pace of your learning experience we would like to give you some recommendations on how to get the most out of this course:

Your schedule: We will provide you a course schedule including voluntary and mandatory deadlines. The course schedule serves as guideline for your personal learning schedule and will help you completing the programme within the given time frame.

Exercises: Even though the exercises in the script are not mandatory we strongly advise you to use them as an opportunity to check your knowledge and to prepare for the final exam.

Assignments: With the assignments you will learn how to apply the knowledge learned during the course. It is important that you take time to read the necessary material and to solve the assignment.

Networking Opportunities: Use the forum to introduce yourself your peers and start interesting discussions.

Unit 1: Introduction to Insurance and Microinsurance

The first unit gives an introduction to the concept of insurance and its economic and social role. The distinction of microinsurance versus macroinsurance is clarified in the context of a continuum servicing distinct market segments. The historical evolution of microinsurance as part of microfinance programs in developing countries is described and recent statistics illlustrate growth trends. Furthermore, the typical growth path of a developing insurance market and the important role of microinsurance are introduced. The discussion of real cases serves to illustrate the presented material. Additionally, special attention is given to long run profitability for the provider in a market that is characterized by small premiums and low levels of funding. Large scale and cost effectiveness are paramount elements. The unit concludes with the topic of consumer protection and elaborates on three key elements: a strong regulatory framework, responsible industry conduct, and empowerment of the consumer.

Unit 3: Microinsurance Products

Unit 3 focusses on the technical aspects of a microinsurance product. Furthermore, an overview of the most prominent microinsurance product types and their distribution is provided. Key features and significance in the regional context are explained and each product type will be illustrated with a concrete case study. Given the importance of an alignment between client needs, product features offered, as well as price calculations and risk assessment, the second half of the unit is dedicated to an effective product development process. Tools are presented as well as issues covered that illustrate the challenges faced by microinsurance providers in product development. Practical assignments deepen the understanding of the learned material and demonstrate applicability.

Unit 5: Marketing, Communication and Financial Literacy

Unit 5 introduces the critical role that client communication plays in the distribution of microinsurance products. Principles of marketing are explained in the particular context of microinsurance. Marketing tools designed to reach low-income populations are identified and linked to the client segmentation theory presented in earlier units. Practice oriented exercises and assignments train on how to develop an effective marketing plan and marketing measures. The unit further explains how financial literacy can be used to deal with the challenges of introducing insurance concepts to low-income clients and to prepare internal sales and distribution staff. Best practice examples demonstrate how organizations have applied financial literacy programs to educate the client , reduce misselling and increase client awareness and trust.

Unit 2: The Microinsurance Client

The importance of knowing your customer and understanding his needs is paramount to derive appropriate products, communication strategies and client oriented processes. The second unit concentrates therefore on the particularities of the microinsurance client, which typically can be found in a developing country. Some key characteristics are low and infrequent income patterns, high vulnerability to external shocks, and exclusion from personal finance tools. Group works and role plays illustrate the actual risk exposure and choices faced by the typical low microfinance customer. Research material and case examples of successes and failures due to good or insufficient information about the client are provided. The second half of the unit focuses on research methodology and practical tools for effective client research. The student is given a guideline for effective client segmentation process. Exercises are employed to deepen the understanding of the learned material and provide the student a chance to apply it in a hands-on assignment.

Unit 4: Actuarial Topics in Microinsurance

The purpose of actuarial science is to measure risk. Probabilities are the basis of measuring risk. The probability or chance of an event occurring is used to assess risk. Each risk, whether it is death, accident, sickness, fire, natural disaster etc. should have its own probability tables.

Unit 6: Sales and Distributions (Partnership)

Unit 6 provides an overview of traditional sales channels and how these can be leveraged to ensure take-up of microinsurance solutions. The overview includes an evaluation of which channels are best positioned to reach low-income client segments and how partnerships between distributors and risk providers can be designed. Criteria are presented to assist organizations with prioritizing different sales channels. Recent innovations in distribution are discussed, particularly the impact of technology and the growing importance of alternate distribution strategies. A review of how these new channels contribute to cost efficiency, reach clients in remote areas, and facilitate sales administration is undertaken. This unit transmits sales and distribution know-how through case studies and interviews with practitioners. Assignments test student’s ability to apply know-how to their own institution and to identify channels that are most applicable to their organizations.

Unit 7: Client Relations Management and How to Ensure Client Access

The last unit reviews how customer relations can be maintained successfully by ensuring that access barriers are removed, appropriate operational processes are in place and a growth-oriented strategy is facilitated. Frequent operational challenges of microinsurance providers and distributors are summarized. A close look at enrolment, premium payment, renewal and claims management is taken. Practice-oriented examples are reviewed to highlight how different organizations have implemented customer-oriented strategies in their front- and back-office operations. Recent success stories are provided and dependent on data availability these are linked to measurable business results. Lastly, the unit reviews the relevance of staff training and defines areas in which know-how is critical for customer relationship management.

Unit 8 (Elective) - Health Microinsurance

Previous modules in this Microinsurance Expert Course have incorporated Health microinsurance into the various topics. However, due to HMI’s complexity compared to other types of insurance, there is a need for a more in depth look at its product design and mechanisms. Health insurance is different from other products in some key ways.

*Subject to change

Training Approach

The flexibility of our courses offers you the opportunity to follow you own schedule and to combine daily work with professional development.

The highest quality offered will immediately improve your daily job performance as well as the performance of your institution.

Training Material

Video Lectures

  • Introvideos: After viewing the lectures, participants will have a basic understanding of each topic and will be able to classify importance and relevance of different techniques and aspects in a broader context.
  • Web-based Presentations: Web based presentation complement the scripts and give additional input on important topics.

Online Tests

Each unit ends with an online test comprising a set of 10 - 15 multiple choice questions. Only after having successfully completed an online test you will gain access to the next unit.

Reading Material

A PDF script is for most of our courses the main studying material. This reading material provides basic concepts and principles applicable to the subject of each unit.

Assignments

The key to successful learning is the immediate use of newly acquired knowledge and the transfer of theory into practice. Our online courses are therefore supplemented by mandatory assignments.

Discussion Forum

A course discussion forum enables the interaction between participants and trainers and facilitates the exchange of experiences as well as possibilities to ask questions or get clarifications.

Final Exam

Passing a final examination is a requirement for obtaining your certificate.

  • Location: The final exam takes place online
  • Duration: The final exam takes 2 hours.
  • Costs:  An additional final exam fee will be charged for the second and third final exam attempt
  • Certificate: Your digital certificate will be available upon passing the final examination.

If you do not wish to take the final exam, you will receive a confirmation of course participation after completing the course.

Course Lecturer

Eric Cimon

Eric Cimon

Eric Cimon is a seasoned expert in insurance having held management positions with multinational insurance and asset management companies such as Allianz, Skandia/Old Mutual Group and Prudential Financial Inc.

Eric Cimon has 20 years of experience in the development and positioning of financial services solutions (e.g., insurance, corporate pension and asset management) More...

Beyond your Certificate

Packages

Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance

The Certified Expert in Microinsurance is an elective module of the Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance. Join our Master programme after completing the CEMI course and waive one elective module. Also, the amount you paid for the course will be deducted from the final tuition fee of the Master programme.

Diploma in Financial Inclusion

The Certified Expert in Microinsurance is part of the curriculum of our Diploma in Financial Inclusion. Enroll in our Diploma after completing the CEMI course and waive one module. Also, the amount you paid for the course will be deducted from the final tuition fee of the Diploma.

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