Value of CPCU Testimonial

Name: Laura Hossley

Position: HR Supervisor – State Farm Insurance

CPCU Designation Year:  1999

Reason for Pursuing CPCU Designation:

After graduating from college in 1987 I began working as a Claims Representative for State Farm in 1988.  I was new to the working world and not far removed from classes, studying and exams.  State Farm highly encouraged continuing education.  Though I wasn’t sure I would even stay in the insurance industry, I decided to State Farm up on their offer to pay for the education.  It was a way for me to show commitment to my job. 

Path to CPCU:

I began taking Associate in Claims courses in 1988.  I breezed through the four exams easily and received my AIC designation in 1990.  I immediately enrolled in CPCU which allowed me to waive the Legal exam.  I easily passed CPCU 1 as it was a review of all AIC exams.  I then ran into a wall because I wasn’t used to having to put a lot of effort into the exams– I failed three tests in one year.  I took a year off from exams between 1991 and 1992 and then decided to pursue the CPCU again with a new focus.  I never failed another exam.  I even passed an exam while working 12 hour days on catastrophe duty, while I was four months pregnant.  I got lucky on that one.  My goal was to attain my CPCU before starting a family.  I missed the goal by five months.  My son was born in January, 1999, and I passed my last exam in June 1999.  It was a crazy time, but the relief and pride in my accomplishment was well worth it.

Benefits to Me Personally:

More than anything attaining my CPCU has helped me to increase my knowledge of the industry I have chosen for my lifetime career.  I have a strong comfort level with my insurance industry knowledge, which is important to me.  While my extensive claims background afforded me a good knowledge of auto insurance policy, studying for the CPCU exams and attending local chapter meetings has given me a broad knowledge of the industry which has been helpful in my job as well as in life.  My CPCU designation has also allowed me to distinguish myself amongst my peers in HR.

Value of CPCU to Employer

I have several specific examples of how CPCU has benefited my employer:

• As a recruiter for claims and underwriting positions I was able to represent my company well when asked specific insurance industry questions by candidates.  I specifically remember a question regarding the Gramm, Leach, Bliley act which I was able to answer with confidence.
• My involvement with the local CPCU chapter has allowed me the opportunity to network with many individuals that I would normally not connect with in my every day job.  Several of these connections are external to State Farm.  One of these external relationships has had a positive impact on my work in several ways over the last year.
• Employee Development is one of my company’s key areas of focus.  Involvement with the local CPCU chapter’s Ethics Committee has allowed me to continue development of my business knowledge, which is a very important part of my Individual Development Plan. 

CPCU’s Value to Customers

I think the value to customers in using a CPCU is that you have at least a good foundation of knowledge, having committed to becoming a professional, and have taken an oath to not act with self interest at the expense of the customer.