Who We Are
Let’s be honest, there is no shortage of boring online insurance education. If the goal is simply to check a box and earn CE credits to maintain a license, many programs get the job done. They are efficient. They are convenient. And yes, they technically work.
That is not what the Professional Insurance Foundation and Know the Policy are built for.
We exist for insurance professionals who want more, more understanding, more confidence, and more credibility in front of their insureds. Too often, online insurance education falls short of delivering real-world value. Our training is designed to change that.
We teach insurance professionals how to talk about coverage in ways that immediately set them apart. Insureds recognize it quickly. Conversations feel more confident. Trust forms faster. And trust is the foundation of every buying decision, whether in Personal Lines or Commercial Lines.
Knowledge builds confidence. It also removes common barriers, like being newer to the industry or less experienced in client-facing conversations. When professionals clearly understand policy language, forms, and risk, competence speaks louder than tenure.
Our Teaching Philosophy
At the core of Professional Insurance Foundation and Know the Policy is a belief in personalized, practical learning.
Instruction grounded in real-world insurance scenarios
ISO and NCCI-based fundamentals, not carrier-specific shortcuts
Training tailored by role, experience level, and organizational needs
A learning environment that encourages questions and discussion
We do not believe in one-size-fits-all education. Every agency, every role, and every learner has a different journey. Our job is to meet you where you are and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Our promise is this: Professional Insurance Foundation delivers practical, confidence-building instruction that is far more budget-friendly, while still producing meaningful, lasting results.
Guided Instruction - In Person & Virtual
Professional Insurance Foundation and Know the Policy were founded by Erik Leeming, an insurance industry veteran with over 30 years of experience across sales, underwriting, operations, and education.
Since 2018, Erik has facilitated the full suite of Property and Casualty courses for The Hartford School of Insurance, both in person and virtually. In addition to delivering established programs, he developed new coursework, including Advanced Personal Lines, Advanced Commercial General Liability, and Surety.
His passion for teaching and commitment to excellence made him one of the most frequently requested instructors at The Hartford School of Insurance. Today, Erik brings that experience to Professional Insurance Foundation, creating engaging, practical training designed to resonate with modern insurance professionals.
A consistent theme in student feedback is Erik’s ability to use storytelling to bring complex, often dry material to life. He has a proven ability to keep learners engaged across multi-day programs while ensuring concepts are understood, retained, and applied.
Erik Leeming | Founder & Principal
Your Deep Dive Podcast Hosts - Meet Mack and Mia
Mack and Mia are the virtual online presence and the “faces” of the Professional Insurance Foundation for remote on-demand Learning. While Erik spends his time delivering live instructor-led education for insurance professionals, Mack and Mia are busy recording their thoughts on whatever insurance topics come their way (usually from Erik to be honest). Their goal is to meet you, the learner, where and how you like to consume knowledge. These podcasts are available not only on your corporate devices, but also your personal devices and on the go. So, if you would rather listen to a particular topic on your commute to or from work, out for a run, at the gym, while on lunch or just at your desk doing busy work, the power of that is within your control. Would you prefer to read a transcript instead of listening to the topic? We’ve got you covered there too!
We have curated online knowledge check assessments for each podcast and we can integrate them into your agency’s LMS. Clients who have enterprise wide access to the Learning Hub also have access to a Facilitator’s Guide for each topic which presents opportunities for managers to have round table discussions. This is their opportunity to engage with their teams... to dig deeper and explore the many “what if?” scenarios and other concepts related to the topic.
These podcasts will be informative. They will be engaging. And best of all, they will be fun!
“...Erik was amazing. It’s fun to learn insurance when the instructor has a great passion for it!”
Erik’s Experience Includes
Top Rated Instructor for all P&C programs at The Hartford School of Insurance
Course creator for P&C programs including Advanced Personal Lines, CGL, and Surety training
Trainer at MetLife and Casualty for Captive Agents and supporting Small Commercial rollout to Agency partners
Led Captive Agents to 100 percent SBCS designation completion within 60 days
Former Senior Personal Lines Sales Representative at The Hartford
Creator of “Selling Value, Not Price,” delivered to 80+ agencies
Developer of Situational Preparedness training for Travelers Claims HiPo leaders
Erik understands what it takes to build confidence at every stage of an insurance career, from new hires to experienced professionals stepping into leadership roles. He has studied what makes insurance education effective and engaging, and he brings that same proven approach to every Know the Policy course. He uses his nearly 18 years of experience on the Agency side of the business to engage more effectively with his students since he has that shared experience to know what it takes to succeed in building a solid book of business. Growing profitably and increasing retention are key and they don’t happen organically - those skills need to be taught.
Erik looks forward to connecting with organizations seeking a truly exceptional learning experience. The Hartford School of Insurance provides education to nine of the top ten insurance agencies and brokerages in the country, and Erik has helped deliver that level of training firsthand to all of them. Through Professional Insurance Foundation and Know the Policy, he continues that standard of excellence for teams nationwide.
The Professional Insurance Foundation is a proud member of
Contact Us
Looking for training that fits your team? Share a few details, and we’ll connect. We offer virtual programs designed to support onboarding, development, and long-term success.
Have questions or want to explore options? We’d love to hear from you.