How do they compare side by side?
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| Feature | Loss Control Academy | National Insurance Institute BICS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Commercial P&C $297. Personal Lines $147. Workers' Comp $227. Inland Marine $127. All four for $597. | $999 (NII BICS product page). |
| Format | Self-paced online. Video, reading and quizzes. Inland Marine is reading lessons with printable field guides and no video. | Self-paced online, 30-hour two-part course with read-aloud lessons, case studies, and a final assessment with unlimited retakes (NII BICS overview). |
| Length | Self-paced. No published hour estimate. | 30 hours. Typical completion 8 to 12 weeks (NII BICS overview). |
| Scope | Commercial P&C, personal lines, workers' comp and inland marine, one course each. Underwriting surveys. | Residential and commercial building and construction knowledge for claims and scoping (NII BICS overview). |
| Access length | Lifetime access to each course you buy. | Lifetime course access (NII BICS overview). |
| Refund terms | Contact us within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. | Full refund within 7 calendar days of registration if you have not accessed materials, completed any portion, taken a quiz or exam, or received a certificate. Membership fees are nonrefundable (NII refund and cancellation policy). |
| Credential | Verifiable certificate of completion for each course. 80 percent quiz pass mark with unlimited retakes. | BICS letters after your name, a shareable certificate and an Accredible digital badge (NII BICS overview). |
| Job pathway | Graduates can join the Underwriter Services Association talent pool. Work is not guaranteed. | Positioned for professional authority on claims files (NII BICS overview). |
What is the BICS designation?
BICS stands for Certified Building Inspection & Construction Specialist. National Insurance Institute sells it for $999 (NII BICS product page) as a self-paced online course, 30 hours in two parts, with read-aloud lessons, case studies, and a final assessment with unlimited retakes (NII BICS overview). Graduates get BICS letters, a shareable certificate and a verified Accredible badge (NII BICS overview).
Its strengths are building-systems depth and a formal designation you can list after your name.
Is BICS the same as insurance inspector training?
BICS teaches building and construction knowledge for claims work. Its landing page speaks to adjusters, consultants, expert witnesses and inspectors working claims (NII BICS overview).
Loss Control Academy teaches the underwriting survey: what to observe, photograph and write on a commercial property, home, workplace or inland marine account so an underwriter can evaluate it. See the Commercial P&C chapter list.
How do the price and refund terms compare?
BICS is $999 (NII BICS product page). The Loss Control Academy Commercial course is $297, and all four Loss Control Academy courses are $597.
National Insurance Institute's policy gives a full refund within 7 calendar days of registration if you have not accessed the materials, completed any part, taken a quiz or exam, or received a certificate (NII refund and cancellation policy). Loss Control Academy's checkout says: "If the course is not a fit, contact us within 30 days of purchase for a full refund."
Does National Insurance Institute offer other designations?
Yes. National Insurance Institute offers designations in claims, flood, catastrophe and building-consultant tracks. This page compares BICS only.