The CPCU Oath, and Why It Matters

We all remember taking the oath, but do you remember all three parts? The oath is a synopsis of the Canons and Rules of Professional Conduct.

As a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter,

I shall strive at all times to live by the highest standards of professional conduct.

I shall strive to ascertain and understand the needs of others and place their interests above my own.

And I shall strive to maintain and uphold a standard of honor and integrity that will reflect credit on my profession and on the CPCU designation.

Today, we will cover the first sentence of the oath.

I strive at all times to live by the highest standards of professional conduct.

Let’s break this down – the first part states not just at work but at ‘all times.’

Wow, that means when you are representing the CPCU Society when you are at our chapter I-Day, charity golf events, and even the 3IG Party at the Annual meeting.

?I remember when my stepson was about to go on his first business trip with his company. He told me there would be ‘happy hours, golf events, and some boring meetings. I reminded him that from the moment he walked out the door, to the moment he walked back in it, he represented his company.

We all matriculated, then passed our tests to earn our CPCU designation. But the right to use the CPCU designation is a privilege granted by the Institutes and conditioned on full compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Let’s discuss the second part of the statement – to live by the highest standards of professional conduct.

In the overview of the Rules of Professional Conduct, the document state that these are the minimum standards of conduct. Let me repeat that – minimum standards of conduct. This reminds me of the Building Code which provide a standard benchmark that contractors must meet, they establish a building’s safety and energy performance for years to come it is written to maintain safety in constructing structures. We’ve seen the devastation in other countries from disasters when structures were not built to a minimum building code standard. The same applies to us as CPCUs. We have a reputational high bar to maintain our image in our industry.

·??????If we put our own interest above others, it is noticed.

·??????If we don’t maintain and improve our professional knowledge, it is noticed.

·??????If we conduct activity that harms others, it is noticed.

·??????If we rest on our laurels and aren’t diligent in our jobs, it is noticed.

·???????If we don’t aspire to raise the ethical standards of our industry it is noticed.

·???????If we don’t maintain dignified relationships with those we serve, it is noticed.

·??????If we don’t do our part in improving the public knowledge of insurance, it is noticed.

·??????If we don’t honor the use of the CPCU designation, it is noticed.

·??????If we don’t do our part, to assist in the maintaining of the CPCU Code of Professional Conduct, it is noticed.

We just went briefly blitzed through all nine Canons. The Canons establish the standards, the Rules that follow are mandatory and enforceable.

I don’t look at these as violations to avoid, I think of them as levels of professionalism to aspire above in all my actions as an insurance professional.

Tomorrow, we start a deep dive into the second part of the oath - I shall strive to ascertain and understand the needs of others and place their interests above my own.

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