Contractors face complex insurance risks, and generalist agents can often overlook critical exposures. The CRIS (Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist) program was developed by IRMI to address contractors’ concerns about whether their insurance professionals have the specialized knowledge required to properly design construction insurance programs. Completion of the CRIS curriculum demonstrates a solid understanding of contractors’ key insurance needs, construction exposures, and risk management practices. The designation also requires ongoing continuing education focused on construction risk, reflecting a continued commitment to staying current on industry changes and trends.

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Who Should Take the CRIS Program?

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

• Insurance agent or broker
• Customer service representative (CSR)
• Insurance underwriter or adjuster
• Risk manager or insurance manager in construction
• Contractor CFO, controller, or other executive who buys insurance
• Construction safety professional
• Risk and insurance consultant
• Construction Lawyer

CRIS Classroom Courses

Each course is structured as a 1-day program approved for 8 hours of continuing education credit in Arizona. After the class you sign into the CRIS Learning Center at your convenience to take the course exam. The cost of the CRIS exam is included in your course fee (you will receive a voucher to use in the CRIS Learning Center).

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CRIS Reaccreditation Requirement (8 hours)

The CRIS certification is valid for 24 months upon receipt. To maintain the certification, you are required to obtain 7 hours of approved construction risk and insurance continuing education credit every 12 months thereafter (generally one online course or a seminar).

Obtain the Benefits of the CRIS Certification

As a holder of the CRIS certification, you will enjoy the following benefits:

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.

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More Sales

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

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Agent/Broker Directory Listing

Retail insurance agents and brokers may elect to have their name, and firm name 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.

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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.

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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.

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Leverage your CE investment

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

The CRIS Curriculum

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, and 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. Todays 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.