IBABC Member Services

MEMBERSHIP
GOVERNANCE
EDUCATION
COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MEMBERSHIP

Group Benefits
Human Resources
Travel
IBABC Services

The Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. is the main trade association for P&C insurance brokerages in the province.

IBABC members receive:

tangible savings in the benefits and privileges made possible through their combined buying clout
high-quality education programs developed by and for brokers, at preferred pricing
timely communications and information on changes and emerging trends
public-affairs advocacy that maintains consumer protections and industry viability
image-building programs that help consumers understand and appreciate the broker value proposition
resources to make their operations more efficient and prosperous
networking opportunities with other colleagues and industry stakeholders
connection with colleagues across Canada through membership in the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada, and resultant economies of scale in education, advertising and advocacy.

Group Benefits

The IBABC Group Insurance and RRSP Program underwritten by Standard Life Canada and AXA Assurances Inc. and managed by Parity Agencies is one of the best in the business. It includes employee benefits, disability, life insurance and savings plans and is designed specifically with the needs of insurance brokers in mind.

Jolene Friesen, 1-800-704-8656

Errors & Omissions Insurance is now mandatory for insurance brokerages. IBABC and its fellow members of the Insurance Brokers of Canada offer a highly competitive package to members, underwritten by Swiss Re and managed by Metrix Professional Insurance Brokers.

Dave Anderson, 604-683-5583

Banking Program developed by BMO Bank of Montreal in consultation with the brokerage industry. Highlights include:

Recognition of the value of the client list, and a unique model for valuing brokerages' books of business
Access to capital while maintaining broker independence
Competitive borrowing rates for acquisition, succession and purchases of equipment and real estate
Payroll services
Personal banking privileges and services for employees
A commitment to not compete with the broker channel

John Knotek, 1-877-629-6262

Moneris Solutions and IBABC are pleased to introduce preferred card payment processing rates for members. With this program you receive:

Competitive rates on credit and debit card transactions
Deposit flexibly
The latest POS technology
24 service and support

Please contact Jennifer Reddicopp for more details, 604-606-8002

Human Resources

These suppliers provide products and services that meet the specific needs of the P&C insurance brokerage industry:

Pre-hire profile assessment specific to insurance brokerage job positions are available from Omnia Group and Dynamic Leadership Inc.

Sean Neumayer, Omnia Group, 1-800-525-7117

Pre-employment background checks are available from BackCheck. These include police clearances and resume verification and reference-checking.

Ron Shay, BackCheck, 604-613-4198, 1-877-613-4111

A Compensation Survey, with important compensation data for 18 typical brokerage positions, updated to 2010 by Western Compensation & Benefits Consultants, is available from IBABC. Click for order form.

Travel

Hotels - Stay in downtown Vancouver at the Hyatt Regency or the Terminal City Club at the IBABC member rate. The Hyatt ($168/night) is on Burrard just steps from Robson and the heart of the city. The TCC is across from Canada Place and has a luxurious private-club ambience. Rooms range from $139 to $219 per night.

Stay at any of the Coast Hotels & Resorts locations in Canada and Western US at the IBABC's member rate. Rooms range from $62 to $220 per night.

Travel services - Book your flights through FCm Travel Solutions, the corporate division of Flight Centre, and receive low booking fees and a dedicated account manager.

Car rentals - Zipcars are waiting at several locations throughout the City of Vancouver; just pay a low hourly rate to use them. Register with Zipcar and get a Zipcard. Then reserve your car online or by phone. Your Zipcard unlocks the car. Away you go. For IBABC members, the $75 account set-up charge and the first year's annual $30 fee are waived, plus you get a preferred rate for rentals - as low as $8.25 per hour.

To access these benefits, contact Jennifer Reddicopp, IBABC, 604-606-8002.

IBABC Services

Broker Finder - makes it easy for web browsers to find the IBABC member nearest to them.

Job Board - has the largest concentration of jobs in B.C.'s P&C insurance brokerage industry, and is available to IBABC members only, and it's where IBABC members look first for candidates.

Scholarships - Young scholars with a connection to IBABC or the insurance industry may be eligible for one of several scholarships administered by IBABC.

Compensation Survey - Every few years IBABC members have the opportunity to participate in a Compensation Survey, and receive important compensation data for 18 typical brokerage positions.

Governance

Types of membership
Board Structure
Committees & Working Groups

Types of membership

Membership in the Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. is voluntary. Member brokerages must hold a valid "other than life" licence to transact general insurance issued by the Insurance Council of B.C. Eligibility for membership categories - full member, affiliate, associate and so on - is determined by the degree of control of the brokerage by shareholders and whether or not those shareholders are financial institutions. Only brokerages and their affiliates that have private majority ownership can be full, voting members of IBABC.

Non-brokerage firms may avail themselves of some member benefits by becoming an IBABC Affinity Partner. This is ideal for businesses allied with the insurance industry that wish to receive BC Broker magazine, access education programs at member rates and enjoy networking opportunities at IBABC events.

Board Structure

Board of Directors - are representatives of the members, elected to develop and oversee the implementation of policy necessary to safeguard and advance the interests of the organization. IBABC's Board includes 19 directors who represent a geographic region of the province.

Executive Committee - consists of president, chairman (past president), first vice-president and second vice-president as well as treasurer, executive director (chief of staff), and representatives of Victoria and Greater Vancouver members. The Executive Committee meets monthly, the Board meets quarterly.

Committees

Directors and other members participate in committee and task force work to oversee departmental functions and implement strategic goals. The main committees include:

Broker Identity Program - promotes the value of the insurance broker to various publics through advertising, communications, media relations and public relations.

Conference - plans the annual conference, including venue location, hotel group rates, trade show and entertainment.

Education - evaluates existing courses and proposals for new courses; identifies emerging trends and issues, and promotes education programs to the industry and to the public.

Finance - maintains a budget, oversees monthly financial statements.

Membership - promotes membership in the Association, and reviews member services.

Political Action - guards and promotes the interests of the P&C insurance brokerage vocation and consumers of insurance products with all three levels of government.

Scholarship - administers several scholarships made available to scholars who are connected with IBABC or the P&C insurance industry.

Area Meetings & Liaison

IBABC has regional representation on its Board of Directors. Members also refer to these regional areas as wards - a term that goes back to the days when IBABC was an umbrella group comprised of many regional groups. Area directors work hard on a volunteer basis to stay in touch with fellow members in their region through meetings, email bulletins, social events, golf tournaments, seminars, office visits and phone calls. They bring local issues to quarterly board meetings and report back to members afterward. Area directors also coordinate contact with civic, provincial and federal elected officials and bureaucrats. Please support your area director's efforts to build a strong network in your region. You'll benefit immensely through the sharing of information and by getting to know your colleagues better.

IBABC maintains regular channels of communication with industry stakeholders such as regulators, insurers, allied trades and other business groups.

Education

IBABC is the primary education provider for B.C. general insurance brokers, and the best source of textbooks, courses and exams to meet licensing and designation (CAIB, CPIB, CCIB) requirements. We provide the pre-licensing, licensing courses and Continuing Education seminars that fulfill brokers' mandatory education requirements to maintain their insurance sales licenses. Each year, more than 2,000 insurance professionals and aspiring insurance brokers in more than 40 locations across the province take IBABC courses and examinations. IBABC tracks education credits earned and will provide credit transcripts to licensees free of charge upon request.

IBABC also provides online education through online seminars, webinars and HyperArticles, which allow brokers to continue or upgrade their education at their own time and comfort.

Licensing & Designation Courses - Fundamental of Insurance and the four modules of the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker program, in classroom or online formats.

Continuing Education - Technical-credit seminars that meet the daily needs of insurance brokers.

Online Education - Learn and study on your own time.

HyperArticles - Start the article in BC Broker magazine, finish it online and earn CE credits.

Communications

BC Broker Magazine
Broker Identity Program
Consumer Information

BC Broker

BC Broker magazine is IBABC's main communications vehicle with its membership. Over 30 years, the BC Broker magazine has grown in stature and reputation and now serves the whole P&C insurance industry in B.C. IBABC members receive a default number of copies of BC Broker based on the number of employees in each office. If you would like more or fewer copies, or would like them addressed to specific people in your office, contact BC Broker editor Trudy Lancelyn at 604-606-8008.

Broker Identity Program

IBABC full members have contributed to a national Broker Identity Program (BIP) since 1989. Broker contributions are matched by insurance companies. The national program focuses on a TV advertising campaign and selected sponsorships such as Skate Canada and the Canadian Ski Patrol System. The trademarked "Best Insurance" symbol is now a widely recognized brand that identifies brokers and that consumers equate with trust and integrity.

IBABC members have contributed to a provincial advertising campaign since 1996. Regional advertising helps consumers understand the value brokers add to their insurance purchase by providing choice, advice and advocacy.

BIP logo download

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Consumer Information

IBABC provides valuable information to consumers and to the media about insurance and how to prevent losses.

Public Affairs

IBABC monitors policy issues affecting insurance broker and the insurance-buying public. Our strength is our grass-roots relationship with all three levels of government. That means brokers themselves initiate and maintain direct contact with mayors, MLAs, MPs and senators.

IBABC develops positions and policy briefs on a wide range of issues, and works with government to influence public policy at every opportunity. See Advocacy for a summary of current issues.