NORTHBRIDGE TRAINEE PROGRAM About Northbridge: Northbridge is one of Canada s leading commercial Property & Casualty insurance companies with $1.3 billion in premiums providing a wide range of insurance products including property, automobile and general liability to businesses primarily in Canada. Northbridge is a 100% Canadian owned company, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings. About the Trainee Program: The Northbridge Trainee Program is a seven-month intensive program which combines classroom learning and on-the-job training in preparation for a career in the insurance industry. The Program is geared towards new or recent University graduates. No prior knowledge of, or experience with, insurance is required. The Northbridge head office is located in downtown Toronto and currently serves as the site for the program. Placement opportunities do occasionally develop in our regional offices upon successful completion of the program. The Program provides a unique blend of classroom learning, on the job work experience and valuable field experience. Subject matter experts facilitate the classroom component of the Program and previous years trainees provide guidance and mentorship. As part of the Program, Trainees complete the following six of the ten required courses towards the CIP (Chartered Insurance Professional) designation through the Insurance Institute of Canada. 1. C11 - Principles & Practices of Insurance 2. C14 - Automobile Insurance - Part 1 3. C12 - Insurance on Property 4. C13 - Insurance Against Liability - Part 1 5. C110 - Essentials of Loss Adjusting 6. C36 - Building Construction, Fire Protection and Basic Hazards Each CIP course is intensive, compressed into a one week time slot, and facilitated at the Insurance Institute of Canada office. As part of our Program, Northbridge Trainees have the unique advantage of our in-house expert who provides a detailed overview of each course prior to attending the actual class at the Insurance Institute. Each CIP course does have a written exam (some at the end of the one week course and others based on the Insurance Institute exam schedule - actual dates to be determined). In between completing the different CIP courses, Trainees will perform job rotation which allows the opportunity to work in a number of different business units across the organization. Trainees also receive valuable field experience, such as spending time at a Broker s office, job shadowing a Road Adjuster and spending time with a Risk Services Consultant. These experiences provide a well-rounded and high level perspective of how Northbridge operates.
There are three streams within the Trainee Program Underwriting, Claims and Risk Services. There are fundamental differences which are highlighted below. Underwriting: Claims: Risk Services: Negotiates with independent insurance brokers Selects the business risks the company will choose to insure Determines the terms on which Northbridge will accept the risks presented to it Investigates, evaluates, negotiates, and settles insurance claims Can specialize in specific lines of business including: 1. Property Claims 2. Liability Claims 3. Automobile Claims 4. Accident Benefit Claims Provides clients with recommendations and risk control techniques to help reduce, eliminate, and/or control potential exposures to loss Provides clients with technical services such as seminars, and information to help them achieve their loss prevention goals After the Trainee Program: Upon successful completion of the Trainee Program, Trainees begin employment within an assigned business unit, as either an Associate Underwriter, an Associate Adjuster, or an Associate Risk Services Consultant. Northbridge invests significant time and resources in our Trainees during the seven months of the Trainee Program including the opportunity to complete six courses towards their CIP designation. We encourage the graduates to continue working towards completion of the remaining four CIP courses in a timely manner. As part of our commitment to employee development, Northbridge will continue to pay for successful completion of these courses through our Education Assistance Program. The Northbridge Advantage: As we grow, you have the opportunity to grow too! We are building a culture that is Connected and fosters Excellence, Creativity, Passion and Respect, and are committed to helping each employee grow professionally and personally. We strive to develop an environment where employees can achieve their potential through new job assignments and promotions. We recognize the benefit of developmental experiences and encourage employees to talk with their Managers/Supervisors about their career plans. Managers/Supervisors are encouraged to support employees' efforts to gain experience and advance within the organization. The Northbridge Trainee Program provides an excellent foundation for Trainees to begin their career in the Insurance Industry. The Trainee Program has been in existence since 2001 (formerly the Lombard Trainee Program) and many former Trainees enjoy challenging and rewarding careers within different areas of business at Northbridge. Your future with Northbridge is full of possibilities! Recruitment begins in January; the Program commences in May.
What qualifications do I need to apply? College Diploma or University Degree in the following is recommended but not limited to Occupational Health and Safety, Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, Engineering, Science, Fire Protection, Kinesiology, Arts
UNDERWRITING What is an Underwriter? Underwriters asses and determine the business risks the company will choose to insure, and defines the terms in which it will accept the risk. Good Underwriters possess strength in analysis and exceptional customer service skills. What does an Underwriter do? Develops and maintains relationships with brokers, and negotiates terms and contracts Reviews insurance applications for a wide variety of individuals and businesses Determines coverage s available, premiums, rates and other terms or conditions Reviews existing client portfolios to determine suitability for renewal and determine whether the insurance company should continue to provide insurance coverage s for the risk Maintains awareness of industry trends through professional development activities such as networking, seminars, workshops, and ongoing education What qualifications do I need to apply? College Diploma or University Degree in the following is recommended, but not limited to Business Administration, Economics, and Commerce Professional qualifications of an Underwriter Upon completion of the Northbridge Trainee Program, Trainees will have completed six (6) courses towards their CIP designation. Northbridge supports ongoing education and development and therefore encourages all employees to obtain their: o Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP), o Canadian Risk Management (CRM) and o Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) designations
CLAIMS What is a Claims Adjuster? A Claims Adjuster investigates, evaluates, negotiates, and settles insurance claims. Our Claims Adjusters specialize in specific lines of business, including Property Claims, Liability Claims, Automobile Claims and Accident Benefit Claims. The adjuster ensures that those who have suffered a loss receive all the assistance to which they are entitled. The goal of the adjuster is to, as closely as possible, restore people and things to where they suffered their loss. What does a Claims Adjuster do? Investigate, negotiate, and settle a variety of claims in an efficient manner and in compliance with a variety of requirements Inspect and/or evaluate damages when required, estimate costs or commercial value, examine reports, conduct witness interviews and statements, evaluate losses, work within established claims guidelines, and quantify settlement amounts Present investigative findings to management Propose solutions, negotiate settlement and reach agreements with clients, third parties or concerned parties (legal representatives, and service suppliers) Participate in private and/or mandatory mediation, settlement meetings, settlement conferences, pre-trials, court proceedings, and other dispute resolution as required What qualifications do I need to apply? College Diploma or University Degree in the following is recommended, but not limited to Arts, Business Administration, and Kinesiology Professional qualifications of a Claims Adjuster Upon completion of the Northbridge Trainee Program, Trainees will have completed six (6) courses towards their CIP designation. Northbridge supports ongoing education and development and therefore encourages all employees to obtain their: o Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP), o Canadian Risk Management (CRM) and o Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) designations
RISK SERVICES What is a Risk Services Consultant? As Associate Risk Services Consultant is responsible for gathering, assessing, and communicating information with regard to exposures present at an insured s location by the completion of a risk control and evaluation survey. Consultants provide clients with recommendations and risk control techniques to help reduce, eliminate, and / or control potential exposures to loss. Additionally, technical services such as seminars and technical information are provided to help clients achieve their loss prevention goals. What does a Risk Services Consultant do? Completes risk evaluations by: o Identifying exposures at an Insured s premises to loss due to fire, and liability. o Evaluating the adequacy of fire protection at an Insured s property. o Evaluating the hazards associated with an Insured s completed operations, and / or fleet practices. o Assess any risk control practices in place implemented by the Insured. Complete timely and accurate risk evaluation reports by conducting risk control surveys, in order to identify and evaluate exposures to loss, hazards, and recommend sound risk control techniques to help reduce, eliminate, and / or control potential exposures to loss. Develop relationships between Clients, Brokers, Underwriting and Claims departments to maintain communication, follow progress with regard to recommendations offered to help in risk improvement and ensure compliance. Conduct risk control training (seminars) meetings for Clients, Brokers, and Staff when necessary, and attend client safety meetings as requested. Develop and maintain knowledge of Risk Services Operations Guide, basic Underwriting standards, and Company guidelines. What qualifications do I need to apply? College Diploma or University Degree in the following is recommended, but not limited to Occupational Health and Safety, Engineering, Science, Business, Fire Protection Professional qualifications of a Risk Services Consultant Upon completion of the Northbridge Trainee Program, Trainees will have completed six (6) courses towards their CIP designation. Northbridge supports ongoing education and development and therefore encourages all employees to obtain their: o Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP), o Canadian Risk Management (CRM) and o Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) designations