pdf INSURANCE PRINCIPLES: FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND PRACTITIONERS

Perfect for AINS101 exam study!
AINS Section 1 = Chapter 1
AINS Section 2 = Chapter 2
AINS Section 3 = Chapter 3
AINS Section 4 = Chapter 4
AINS Section 5 = Chapter 5
AINS Section 6 = Chapter 6
= Chapters 7 and 8 are additional content
Perfect for an 8-week or 16-week university course!
Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) affects nearly every person and organization in the modern economy. It supports the ability to plan, invest, protect assets, and recover after unexpected events. Yet IRM is more than policies and premiums; it is decision-making under uncertainty, communication across stakeholders, and responsible stewardship of risk.
This textbook was written for two audiences who often learn IRM in different ways: university students, especially students earning insurance industry designations and who want a clear foundation and practical understanding, and insurance industry professionals who benefit from a structured, concept-driven approach. Whether you are preparing for coursework, pursuing professional development, or applying IRM principles in day-to-day roles, my goal is to help you connect theory to real-world practice.
The chapter titles are: Chapter 1 – Insurance Fundamentals; Chapter 2 – Property and Casualty Insurer Profitability, Financial Statements, and Ratio Analysis; Chapter 3 – Underwriting and Rates; Chapter 4 – The Claims Function in Property and Liability Insurance; Chapter 5 – Insurance Industry Marketing; Chapter 6 – Insurance Policies; Chapter 7 – Risk Management; Chapter 8 – Loss Exposures in Insurance and Risk Management (IRM).
Throughout the book, you will find explanations designed to be understandable without losing technical accuracy. Key terms are defined in plain language, concepts are organized logically, and important ideas are reinforced through examples and applied thinking. I emphasize how risk is measured, transferred, financed, and managed; along with the ethical and professional responsibilities that come with helping individuals and organizations protect what matters most.
As you read the chapters, you will notice that IRM is treated as a system. Coverage decisions depend on underwriting and claims realities, while risk management connects to business strategy, legal considerations, and risk tolerance. By learning the “why” behind insurance decisions, not just the “what”, you will be better prepared to analyze situations, ask effective questions, and support sound outcomes.
I am Michael L. Burkhardt, Ph.D., CPCU, Professor and Program Head of the Insurance and Risk Management program at Northwood University, including an MBA in Insurance from The University of Olivet, and a past independent insurance agent of 22 years. That blend of academic and professional experience shapes the perspective of this textbook: rigorous enough for serious learning, practical enough for real application, and written with students and practitioners in mind.