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Basic Insurance Principles Taught At School

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It seems to me, given the number of fundamentally basic questions which are asked on this forum, and the embarrassingly simple mistakes which are made, that insurance should be taught at school.

I'm not talking about a recognised qualification, just a few hours basics towards the end of whatever the fifth year at secondary school is now called.

I might even start a campaign.

What do you think?


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Comments

  • glider3560
    glider3560 Posts: 4,115 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I agree - perhaps they should include it as part of this new citizenship rubbish they are teaching. Lessons on running bank accounts properly should also be given at school.
  • dogbot
    dogbot Posts: 1,062 Forumite
    I couldn't agree more. The ignorance about financial products, the legal system and even government in the general populace of British youth is fairly shocking. People need to be able to take responsibility for their decisions and look out for themselves.

    For example; estate agents trying to flog mortgages telling you all sorts of rubbish they shouldn't be. Had my partner and I not had the level of knowledge we have from working in the FS industry and undertaking training, we could easily have been suckered in by the lies we were told.

    These practical kind of subjects are exactly what should be being taught in these PSE or citizenship classes to 15 and 16 year olds in year 11 (GCSE year). Then even those leaving school at 16 should have enough basic awareness to reduce the numbers getting trapped in unmanageable dept.
  • Armengar
    Armengar Posts: 223 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    We covered the basics of insurance, banking and mortgages in PSE. Granted this was a long time ago.
  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 119,743 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I little bit of knowledge can be a bad thing. Just look at Daily Mail readers.

    I think a better approach would be to teach and explain personal responsibility and the importance to take an interest in things you do. If you can improve the overall standards of responsibility and common sense then everything else should benefit.
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • dogbot
    dogbot Posts: 1,062 Forumite
    All I would have in mind is a couple of sessions outlining the core fundamentals, with some reference material they can keep or/and some way of promoting an awareness of accurate sources of information that are updated as requred on the web, say on DirectGov.

    That said, I take the point you make dunstonh, and would certainly support a approach that got kids to take more personal responsibility and an interest in their affairs too.
    I little bit of knowledge can be a bad thing. Just look at Daily Mail readers.

    Hehe, made me chuckle!
  • gtk003
    gtk003 Posts: 7 Forumite
    edited 19 March 2010 at 12:29PM
    Im new to this forum and will take this opportunity to introduce myself. Im Gareth and am 29, I work in Insurance.

    I knew I wanted a career in insurance from a young age, I took an instant interest in cars, then insurance, and by the time I was 17 I was advising all my friends on the types of cover available for their cars.
  • mattymoo
    mattymoo Posts: 2,417 Forumite
    gtk003 wrote: »
    Im new to this forum and will take this opportunity to introduce myself. Im Gareth and am 29, I work in Insurance.

    I knew I wanted a career in insurance from a young age, I took an instant interest in cars, then insurance, and by the time I was 17 I was advising all my friends on the types of cover available for their cars.

    Damn - you've just blown my pet theory. Insurance is the job for those people who do not know what they want to do when they leave school.
  • FlameCloud
    FlameCloud Posts: 1,952 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    mattymoo wrote: »
    Damn - you've just blown my pet theory. Insurance is the job for those people who do not know what they want to do when they leave school.

    I'd agree whole heartedly with this statement!
  • FlameCloud
    FlameCloud Posts: 1,952 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    gtk003 wrote: »
    However, you have to remember that most adolescents have no interest in personal responsibility. They can barely cook a pot noodle, let alone understand Employers liability.

    Has anybody else done the ACII qualification? Do you think the basic modules could be taught in schools? I think they could.

    For my sins, yes. Although going from non qualified to ACII in 12 months is very impressive. What route did you take?

    I dont think the kids would be remotley interested in it, even at the base level.
  • torbrex
    torbrex Posts: 71,340 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Rampant Recycler Hung up my suit!
    edited 7 August 2009 at 7:27AM
    Quote wrote: »
    Off topic: This is the lamest thread I have ever seen.

    Do continue.
    .....................
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