As an MNRB scholar, I have learnt a lot from the Associateship of The Malaysian Insurance Institute (AMII) Level 1, which enhance my career in insurance and be confident in my daily work.
What is the Associateship of The Malaysian Insurance Institute (AMII) Level 1?
AMII program are available in life and general insurance routes and are widely recognised by the industry. It is recommended for Malaysians and international students who would like to obtain a professional qualification in Insurance studies.
The AMII Level 1 are designed for:
- Agency force
- Brokers
- Claims Handlers
- Customer service professionals
- Marketers
- Underwriters
AMII Level 1 is also recognised by CII and ANZIIF, which are the insurance professional bodies based in the UK and Australia.
Why did I pursue this designation?
1. Covered by Scholarship
I was fortunate enough to be awarded the MNRB Scholarship, which provides financial support with 50% coverage of programme fees, including tuition, exam fees, and study materials. The remaining 50% is covered by my employer.
If you are considering pursuing the AMII Level 1, I suggest that you discuss your interest with your manager and get your employer to sponsor you. Do keep in mind that you may be bonded to your employer if your employer is paying for your education.
2. Convenience of Virtual Classes
My classes are conducted via Zoom after working hours. On weekdays, the classes are conducted from 6pm – 9pm and on weekends at 9am – 12pm. Sometimes there may be replacement classes, but it’s usually decided by both the lecturer and students.
Most classes also hold a small number of classmates (about 20 or so) from different insurance backgrounds, so it is also quite interesting to hear of their experience related to the topic discussed in class.
3. Experienced Lecturers and Structured Learning
Compared to the Associate in Risk Management course, I find it easier to learn most insurance concepts with the lecturer’s detailed explanation along with real-life examples. Most of the MII lecturers have experience in the Malaysian insurance industry, so they have lots of interesting stories (or trauma, depending on how you see it!) to share.
As an underwriter, I find it beneficial to learn how my work impacts my colleagues in other departments, mainly in Marketing and Claims. Therefore, taking on subjects like Legal Principles and Insurance Claims has broadened my horizons.
It also helps that the lecturers are Malaysians and know how to explain complex topics for easier understanding.
How much does it cost?
For AMII Level 1 new students, the breakdown is as follows:
- Section 1
Student registration (1st time registration) = RM100
Student membership (for non member only) = RM100 - Section 2
AMII Level 1 per subject (class based) = RM1,749
AMII Level 1 per subject (self-study) = RM682
In total, the tuition fees for AMII Level 1 conducted in virtual classes will cost about RM10,494.
How long is the designation?
In the end, it depends on you. I followed the schedule set by the MNRB scholarship by taking on 2 subjects per semester and will be on track to completing AMII Level 1 within 1 year.
How it works?
1. Intakes
There are 3 intakes:
February – Final examination in May
June – Final examination in September
October – Final examination in January
2. Subjects
I took the following 6 subjects as decided by the MNRB Scholarship:
301 Insurance Principles and Market Practice (General)
302 Insurance Operations & Finance
303 Legal Principles
304 Insurance Claims
305 Insurance Underwriting
309 Commercial Property and Business Interruption Insurance
Conclusion
I’m entering my final semester studying Insurance Underwriting and CPBI and am keen to continue on with my education with AMII Level 2. I find myself being surprised at the new things I know at my job due to my AMII Level 1 learning journey, so I would highly recommend young Malaysian insurance professionals to consider pursuing certifications conducted by the MII.
If you want a taste of how an MII short webinar is like, check out my review of A Practical Understanding of General Insurance Underwriting and Claims Management.
If you want to earn a basic certification in insurance, consider the Certificate of the Malaysian Insurance Institute (CMII). You can even try out the CMII Quiz that I created on Python!
