Face-to-face training for life risk advisers

Sue Laing

Insurance information website “the risk store” has launched a training program for life risk advisers and insurers, describing the initiative as a first for the insurance industry.

The Risk School will provide face-to-face training via one-day courses in Sydney and Melbourne utilising the expertise of Chris Unwin, a well-known trainer on the life risk advice process.

The managing director of “the risk store”, Sue Laing, said the program would become a regular forum for delivery of independent, quality training in the life risk insurance space.

Laing also announced the support of insurers Zurich and Tower as sponsors of the new venture.

The launch comes at the same time the Financial Planning Association’s (FPA) announced the formation of a new risk sub-committee to focus on life and business insurance issues.

Chaired by Financial Services Partners chief executive Geoff Rimmer, the sub-committee recently met for the first time to discuss education, regulation, professionalism and the need for holistic financial planning advice to incorporate risk.

The sub-committee is made up of a cross section of FPA members including financial planning practitioners and Australian Financial Services Licensees with a focus on risk.

“The sub-committee has a broad mandate — it will tackle policy matters affecting advice on risk issues and also guide the FPA’s work in other areas such as professional standards and education,” FPA chief executive Jo-Anne Bloch said.

“The importance of the FPA forming this committee is significant in that it highlights protection being a consideration in every planning situation and gives us the best chance to resolve the issue of underinsurance in Australia.”