Overview of the CIRE Program
Wise Insure, in partnership with NWCA and Bison Mountain Financial (BMFCE), offers the Construction Insurance Risk Education (CIRE) Program—a 23-hour continuing education course designed to deepen an insurance professional’s practical knowledge of construction exposures and coverages.
CIRE goes beyond policy forms. It focuses on coverage nuances, common exclusions, and practical communication techniques so you can explain complex coverage concepts clearly to contractors who may never have dealt with insurance before.
Ideal Participants and Program Format
This program is designed for agents and brokers who:
- Already place commercial construction accounts
- Want to grow a contractors/builders niche
- Need continuing education credits and want relevant, real-world training
CIRE is offered as live webinars and as online self-study. Content is multimedia-based, so you can listen or review materials between appointments—flexible learning that fits an agent’s schedule.
What You’ll Learn
The program is organized into six modules covering construction-specific insurance topics, including:
- Key coverage features for general contractors and subcontractors
- How contractor operations and workflows drive exposures
- Common coverage gaps, exclusions, and how to address them
- Practical communication strategies for explaining coverage to tradespeople and owners
Completing CIRE will help you retain existing construction clients and compete more effectively for new accounts by demonstrating subject-matter competence and clearer client communication.
Ideal Accounts and Typical Appetite
CIRE is especially relevant if your book includes or targets:
- General contractors, project owners, and commercial builders
- Common and specialty subcontractors (electrical, HVAC, roofing, concrete, etc.)
- Smaller specialty contractors progressing into larger projects
The course helps you recognize accounts that fit standard markets and those that may require specialty placement, risk control recommendations, or endorsements to address operations-specific exposures.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
CIRE emphasizes the coverage features agents need to evaluate contractor risk properly—commercial general liability nuances, builders risk basics, subcontractor relationships, contractor-operations exposures, and communication strategies that reduce misinterpretation of policy language.
Two realistic examples where CIRE adds immediate value:
- You have a residential roofing contractor expanding into small commercial work—CIRE helps you identify new exposures and recommend appropriate endorsements or limits.
- An established GC requests sublimits and waiver of subrogation language—CIRE provides the tools to evaluate whether those terms are appropriate and how to negotiate them with markets.
Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums
CIRE is an educational program rather than an insurance product; there is no standard minimum premium associated with the course. Use the program to improve placement outcomes when submitting construction accounts to markets that value specialized underwriting and risk-aware insureds.
Territories and Availability
Wise Insure offers CIRE to agents in the following states: AL, AZ, AR, CO, DE, IA, MD, MO, NE, NV, NC, ND, OK, OR, TN, TX, WA, WV, and WI. Check state CE approval requirements when registering for live or self-study formats.
Why Work With Wise Insure on Construction Business
Wise Insure specializes in construction-related insurance solutions and understands the operational risks contractors face. Paired with NWCA and the CIRE curriculum developed with BMFCE, Wise Insure provides agents both practical training and access to a resource network that supports placement and retention of construction accounts.
For a limited time, a 10% discount is available. Contact Brendon at NWCA for a coupon code. Brendon’s direct line is 360-338-6434.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?
The CIRE Program is ideal for agents working with general contractors, subcontractors, builders, and specialty trades such as electrical, HVAC, and roofing.
Do I need to be currently writing construction insurance to benefit from this program?
No. The program is suitable for both experienced agents in the construction niche and those looking to enter or expand into it.
How is the CIRE Program delivered?
You can participate through live webinars or complete the program at your own pace via an online self-study format.
Is this program approved for continuing education credits?
Yes, the CIRE Program provides 23 hours of continuing education credits, focusing specifically on construction insurance topics.
What makes this program different from other CE courses?
CIRE is tailored to construction risks and emphasizes real-world communication strategies with contractors, delivered through multimedia content for flexible learning.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.