Ethics: Responsibilities, Obligations, and Codes

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Example Codes of Ethics

The American College Code of Ethics

The Board of Trustees of The American College adopted a Code of Ethics in 1984 to underscore the importance of ethical standards for Huebner School designations. The Professional Pledge and eight Canons are embodied in the code.

The Professional Pledge and the Canons

The Pledge to which all Huebner School designees subscribe is as follows:

"In all my professional relationships, I pledge myself to the following rule of ethical conduct: I shall, in light of all conditions surrounding those I serve, which I shall make every conscientious effort to ascertain and understand, render that service which, in the same circumstances, I would apply to myself."

The Eight Canons are:

I. Conduct yourself at all times with honor and dignity.

II. Avoid practices that would bring dishonor upon your profession or the American College.

III. Publicize your achievements in ways that enhance the integrity of your profession.

IV. Continue your studies throughout your working life so as to maintain a high level of professional competence.

V. Do your utmost to attain a distinguished record of professional service.

VI. Support the established institutions and organizations concerned with the integrity of your profession.

VII. Participate in building your profession by encouraging and providing appropriate assistance to qualified persons pursuing professional studies.

VIII. Comply with all laws and regulations, particularly as they relate to professional and business activities.

NAIFA Code of Ethics

Those engaged in offering insurance and other related financial services occupy the unique position of liaison between the purchasers and the suppliers of insurance and closely related financial products. Inherent in this role is the combination of professional duty to the client and to the company as well. Ethical balance is required to avoid any conflict between these two obligations.

Therefore, I believe it to be my responsibility:

To hold my profession in high esteem and strive to enhance its prestige.
To fulfill the needs of my clients to the best of my ability.
To maintain my clients' confidences.
To render exemplary service to my clients and their beneficiaries.
To adhere to professional standards of conduct in helping my clients to protect insurable obligations and attain their financial security objectives.
To present accurately and honestly all facts essential to my clients' decisions.
To perfect my skills and increase my knowledge through continuing education.
To conduct my business in such ways that my example might help raise the professional standards of those in my profession.
To keep informed with respect to applicable laws and regulations and to observe them in the practice of my profession.
To cooperate with others whose services are constructively related to meeting the needs of my clients.

The Million Dollar Round Table Code of Ethics

Members of the Million Dollar Round Table should be ever mindful that complete compliance with and observance of the Code of Ethics of the Million Dollar Round Table should serve to promote the highest quality standards of membership. These standards will be beneficial to the public and the life insurance industry, and its related financial products. Therefore, members shall:

I. Always place the best interests of their clients above their own direct and indirect interests.

II. Maintain the highest standards of professional competence and give the best possible advice to clients by seeking to maintain and improve professional knowledge, skills and competence.

III. Hold in the strictest confidence, and consider as privileged, all business and personal information pertaining to their clients' affairs.

IV. Make full and adequate disclosure of all facts necessary to enable their clients to make informed decisions.

V. Maintain personal conduct, which will reflect favorably on the life insurance industry and the Million Dollar Round Table.

VI. Determine that any replacement of a life insurance or financial product must be beneficial for the client.

VII. Abide by and conform to all provisions of the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which they do business.

The Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow Pledge

"As a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, I recognize that the designation carries with it certain duties and responsibilities.

"And so, guided by the precepts of the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Life Underwriters, I reaffirm that I believe it to be my responsibility:

"To hold my profession in high esteem and strive to enhance its prestige.
"To fulfill the needs of my clients to the best of my ability.
"To maintain my clients' confidences. To render exemplary service to my clients and their beneficiaries.
"To adhere to professional standards of conduct in helping my clients to protect insurable obligations and attain their financial security objectives. To present accurately and honestly all facts essential to my clients' decisions.
"To perfect my skills and increase my knowledge through continuing education.
"To conduct my business in such ways that my example might help raise the professional standard of life underwriting.
"To keep informed with respect to applicable laws and regulations and to observe them in the practice of my profession.
"To cooperate with others whose services are constructively related to meeting the needs of my clients."

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Not only are policy forms, clauses, rules and court decisions constantly changing, but forms vary from company to company and state to state. This material is intended as a general guideline and might not apply to a specific situation. The authors, LunchTimeCE, Inc., CEfreedom, and InsuranceEthics101.com, and any organization for whom this course is administered will have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of information contained in this course.