Our very own Walter Spears has earned the prestigious CPCU designation. The Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) is a professional designation in property-casualty insurance and risk management. It is the premier designation in the insurance industry, akin to the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for the accounting industry. Approximately 65,000 people have earned the designation, since its inception in 1942. The rigorous curriculum includes eight (8) post-secondary undergraduate-, or graduate-level courses covering topics such as insurance law, history, contracts, ratemaking, and risk management, as well as business courses in finance, corporate structure, and ethics.

Designees must pass exams in four (4) core courses, three (3) courses in either a personal or commercial insurance concentration, and one (1) elective of their choosing. These exams are standardized, three-hour essay- or objective-type exams. Essay exams consist of two types of questions. Part "A" questions test to determine understanding of the course's terminology, concepts, and content. Part "B" questions test to determine the ability of the examinee to apply the information to case-based scenarios.

CPCU designees are also bound by a Code of Ethics, and must satisfy an experience requirement of at least two years of industry experience. The CPCU designation is administered by the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters.

Designation holders have formed a professional society, the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) Society. In addition to annual national meetings which serves as a conferment ceremony, the society has local chapters throughout out the country.  Having a CPCU will enable our Burlington Insurance Company to provide enhanced service to our NC auto and NC homeowners insurance clients and to better serve our many NC business insurance and daycare insurance customers.  Congratulations to Walter!