Finding straightforward information about captive insurance is a nightmare for independent agents. You search online, ask around, and still get vague answers, conflicting advice, or confusing jargon. Not only can captives be a trek to learn on their own, but you’re also not sure if you need specific certifications to sell captives to your clients and to enhance your book of business.
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. The short answer is no, you don’t need special certifications to sell captives.
And even better news for you: Captive Coalition’s sole purpose is to help independent agents with all things captive insurance, ranging from educational material to documents you can use for your book of business. We’ve built the resources and systems that eliminate the confusion about captives and provide agents with what they need to grow.
In this article, you’ll learn:
By the end, you’ll understand what you need to move forward.
As we said earlier, you don’t. You're good to go if you already have a standard Property & Casualty license. Your P&C license covers you in advising on and selling captive solutions. It’s like you would do with any other commercial product.
There is no law, secret agency, or hidden rule that requires a “captive insurance certification” before helping clients with this option.
Part of the confusion comes from how scattered the captive insurance world is, making it so there isn’t a central hub of information. Some walking red flags present captives. Some of these red flags are people who use fancy titles. Others are captive consultants or promoters. Some focus heavily on captives with the 831(b) tax election, which brings issues with the IRS being their best friend (especially if the captive is mishandled).
You need your P&C license because you’re dealing with insurance transactions. If you’re ever directly placing policies through a carrier like Great American, you might need to be officially appointed with that carrier—a technicality, though not a certification issue.
You do not need a separate “captive license” or additional formal designation to introduce, advise on, or build captive solutions for your clients.
There are a few professional certifications floating around the captive industry, like:
They’re fantastic programs. That said, they aren’t cheap (the ACI costs about $5,000) and aren’t mandatory. However, they help you understand captives better. The formal education can help your clients and allow you to expand your book of business.
Misunderstanding #1: You need a special certification to talk about captives.
Truth: You don’t. A standard P&C license covers you.
Misunderstanding #2: Clients will only trust you if you have formal captive designations.
Truth: Clients trust clarity, confidence, and results. Fancy letters are good, but they want to see results.
Misunderstanding #3: Real captive education is impossible to find.
Truth: While the information is out there, it is difficult to find. That’s why Captive Coalition wants to supply resources, support, and coaching for independent agents.
Real captive expertise is built in the trenches—actually working with business owners, building risk strategies, understanding underwriting, and cost savings.
You get better at captives by:
If you’re licensed for P&C insurance, you already have enough to start helping your best clients with captives. All you really need is clarity, confidence, and a proven system to guide your clients through something many agents barely understand.
Captive Coalition exists for one reason: To ensure independent agents like you can confidently offer more insurance options to your best clients and enhance your book of business.
Read our Captive Insurance 101 Guide to learn about the basics.
If you want to know more about collateral and all captive insurance, become a member of Captive Coalition for free to access tools, resources, webinars, and training.