If you are an IBAO member, scan this page to ensure that you are taking full advantage of the support and services available to you.

IBAC Membership

Business/Management Support

Marketing Support

Affinity Programs

Education/Professional Development

Networking Opportunities

Leadership Opportunities

• The Broker Identity Program. This campaign continues to successfully raise the public profile of independent insurance brokers.
• Lobbying of the Canadian government on issues of national concern. IBAO participates in all such initiatives.
• Maintenance of professional designations. Only IBAC members may claim the CAIB, CCIB, and, when fully developed, CPIB designations.
• Supports development of industry-specific technology in a broker-friendly direction.

• Regular updates on policy wording interpretation and the implications for brokerage management as insurance companies develop new wordings.
• Access to legal counsel, with the firm Hughes, Dorsch, Garland, Coles LLP. Members receive one free call per year.
• Access to accounting counsel, with BDO Dunwoody Chartered Accountants. Members receive one free call per year.
• Access to personnel services, with ENGAGE Human Resources Solutions Inc., members receive one hour of free HR related consultation each month qualified human resources professionals, a full HR Tool kit, and recently launched was a new recruitment management solution to assist member brokers with their hiring needs.
• Access to A.M. Best Rating Services data. At any time, members can check the rating of the insurance companies they deal with at no cost to them.
• Comparative Broker Office Cost Study. Members receive, free of charge, the results of a biannual survey that allows them to determine whether their office costs run above or below the median.
• Rate Your Company Survey. Members receive, free of charge, the results of this bi-annual survey that rates all the major insurance companies.
• Model Broker/Company Contract. Members receive this publication on request, free of charge.
• Other Publications. Members receive a complimentary copy of The Ontario Broker each month, keeping them up to date with association news and industry developments. View sample copy. Special Bulletins are issued when major events or policy shifts demand a quick response from industry members. IBAO Guidelines, in the areas of property, casualty, and management, provide comprehensive operating guidelines for independent member brokers. The guidelines are available on request to members, free of charge. Members also have access to publications produced by provincial brokers' associations, the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada, and associations based in the United States.

• The Broker Identity Program (BIP). This program has introduced consumers across the country to our registered trademark symbol. The "BIPPER" has come to stand for professional, unbiased service. Only IBAC members may use the symbol on business cards, client gifts, and other promotional materials.
• McLeans. Members have access to professionally designed sales aids, from pens and pocket calendars to refrigerator magnets. As a number of standard design specifications are on file with McLeans, orders are filled quickly.
• Impact Communications. Member offices can have customized on-hold messages created by IBAO's official supplier. These on-hold messages inform clients of products and services while they wait to be connected to a customer service representative.
• Client newsletter.Members may order Staying in Touch, a semi-annual professionally produced newsletter designed to update broker clients on insurance-related issues. View sample copy. An electronic version designed to be posted on your Web site is also available.

• Brokers' Errors and Omissions plan. Members receive preferred rates and expanded coverage on the insurance of their own businesses.
• Group insurance. Member brokerages can offer competitive life and health plans to their employees.
• Group RRSP. This retirement savings plan is available to all member brokerage employees.
• Bank of Montreal. Member brokerages receive preferred rates on business banking costs.
• Primus Canada. Members enjoy significant savings on long distance rates, monthly telephone charges, and business Internet access.
• AKA Broker. A specialized Web site design package developed specifically for insurance brokers is offered to IBAO members at reduced rates.
• DAA - Dominion Automobile Association. DAA has teamed with IBAO to create a very special loyalty program to help you cement your client base.
• ENGAGE Human Resources Solutions Inc. IBAO has partnered with ENGAGE in order to provide members with HR support from qualified professionals on a wide-range of human resources and people-management issues and situations Through the Affinity Program, Members wishing to contract additional services from ENGAGE will receive a preferred discount off standard consulting and outsourcing rates.
• enVisage Customer Experience Measurement.
  enVisageCEM is a remarkable e-based customer measurement system that goes far beyond the traditional satisfaction survey. enVisageCEM increases loyalty, retention and share of wallet while uncovering what your customers value most.
  
• Vero Group Inc. IBAO have partnered with Vero Group Inc. to provide brokers of all sizes the opportunity to improve their recruitment and retention of top performers in all positions of a brokerage.
• Stay Connected: Mobile Technology and Small Business. Major wireless carriers, such as Bell, know it to be a key innovation for critical business communications. Blackberry is a tool for business that allows for greater communication, faster response times, increased productivity, and can make your day go smoother.
• GIO - The General Insurance OmbudService.
  The General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) is an independent organization that helps Canadian consumers resolve disputes with their home, auto or business insurers. If you have a client who is experiencing difficulties with an insurance company, consider introducing them to GIO as a potential solution.

• Access to all required courses from one central provider. The IBAO School of Insurance includes all courses required for licensing and continuing education credits.
• Lowered education expenses. IBAO members pay lower fees for licensing courses.
• Broker-specific education. All courses offered through IBAO are designed specifically to meet the needs of independent brokers. Note that only members may attend IBAO's high quality non-licensing courses.
• Professional credentials. IBAO members are automatically members of IBAC and through this membership, may use the CAIB and CCIB designations. IBAO/IBAC members will also be able to use the CPIB designation when it has been fully developed.
• Convenient Education. The IBAO School of Insurance offers a variety of study methods including in classroom, through correspondence, and online learning. Licensing and continuing education courses are also offered throughout Ontario.
• Current information. IBAO offers special seminars on an "as needed" basis when new issues arise in the industry.

• Monthly local meetings in many regions. Enjoy interesting speakers over lunch.
• Annual regional meetings. Meet independent brokers from across your region to discuss issues of common concern.
• IBAO Annual Convention. This event brings together thousands of brokers from across the province.
• Young Brokers Council. Brokers under 40 are encouraged to meet regularly to explore new directions for the industry.

• Board of Directors and Executive Committee. If approved, members may run for a seat representing their territory. After a three-year term, territory directors may run for a position on IBAO’s Executive Committee.
• Committees. Members may serve on one of three IBAO Groups of committees. The Education Group deals with Education, Technology, Brokerage Management concerns, and Property Casualty issues. The Group Plans Committee oversees IBAO's Brokers’ E & O plan, group life and health plans, and group RRSP. The Members Group of Committees consists of the following committees: Membership, Communications,Convention and Young Brokers Council.
• Young Brokers Council. The Young Brokers Council, open to members under the age of 40, was established to ensure that new ideas and directions so often developed by younger brokers would consistently be given a hearing in IBAO. The Young Brokers Council plays a major role in keeping IBAO primed for continuing success. The Council also provides an excellent training opportunity for brokers interested in future leadership positions in IBAO.