CIIN Certificate CF4 study plan

Define the core risk concepts (peril, hazard, pure vs speculative risk) and classify ten everyday examples into the correct category

Distinguish the main life assurance product types (term, whole-of-life, endowment, unit-linked) by their payout triggers and premium structures

Explain the principle of insurable interest and state when it must exist for a life policy

Map how underwriting, disclosure and non-disclosure rules affect a life application

Compare critical illness and income protection cover on trigger events, benefit form and typical exclusions

Outline the main general insurance classes (motor, home, travel, liability) and identify what each typically covers and excludes

Explain indemnity, average and betterment in the context of property claims

Describe how a claim is notified, assessed and settled for both life and general policies

Apply the indemnity principle to calculate a claim settlement where average applies

Distinguish the roles of the policyholder, insured, beneficiary and insurer in a policy

Identify the key exclusions and conditions that commonly void or reduce a claim

Explain the purpose of reinsurance and how it affects an insurer's capacity

Distinguish defined benefit from defined contribution schemes by risk bearer and benefit formula

Explain the role of the state pension and how qualifying conditions affect entitlement

Describe how contribution limits, tax relief and access rules shape retirement planning

Compare annuity purchase with income drawdown on flexibility, risk and income certainty

Classify the main investment asset classes by risk, return and liquidity characteristics

Explain the relationship between risk tolerance, time horizon and asset allocation

Distinguish collective investment vehicles (funds, unit trusts, OEICs) from direct holdings

Describe how charges and compounding affect long-term investment outcomes

Summarise the FCA's core conduct principles and how they apply to advising and selling

Apply the Treating Customers Fairly outcomes to a given sales scenario and identify breaches

Explain the roles of the FCA, PRA and FOS in the regulatory framework

Describe the main disclosure requirements owed to a retail client before a sale

Apply suitability and know-your-customer requirements to two client fact-finds

Identify conflicts of interest and explain how they should be managed or disclosed

Explain how complaints handling and the Financial Ombudsman Service protect consumers

Describe the ethical duties around vulnerable customers and financial promotions

Consolidate weak areas identified by prior deliverables into a prioritised revision list

Complete timed mixed-topic practice and diagnose error patterns by domain

Re-derive the key formulas (average, pension contributions, compounding) from memory

Rehearse explaining each domain's core concept in under two minutes