Overview

Google, IBM & Meta Certificates — All 10,000+ Courses at 40% Off

One annual plan covers every course and certificate on Coursera. 40% off for a limited time.

Unexpected events like a car accident, dog bite or stormy night can derail financial goals for years to come. This course gives you the tools to protect your home, your vehicles, and your accumulated wealth through practical property and liability insurance and noninsurance strategies. Whether you are a financial professional or managing your own household, you’ll gain insight into today’s challenging insurance environment and learn why coverage decisions must be made before a loss occurs. Through expert podcasts, real‑world case studies, and interactive evaluation tools, you’ll explore how to spot hidden policy gaps and use umbrella coverage to shield future earnings. Designed for both aspiring professionals and savvy consumers, this course empowers you to move beyond the “price trap” and make informed decisions that ensure your insurance works when you need it most. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit: https://aces.illinois.edu/online.

Syllabus

Orientation & Module 1 | Property Insurance Fundamentals

In the course orientation, you'll get to know the course, your classmates, and our learning environment, and gain the technical skills needed. Then we will explore risk by defining loss, hazards, and perils and the main categories of property insurance. We will examine why insurance decisions must be made before a loss occurs and dive into the legal principles of liability and valuation. By the end of this module, you will understand the mathematical and legal foundations that determine how a property claim is actually paid.

Module 2 | Homeowners Insurance Coverage and Tradeoffs

We will now differentiate between named and open peril policies while comparing the massive financial impact of Actual Cash Value versus Replacement Cost coverage. This module also explores the "Modern Risk Landscape," including new industry standards for roof age and solar panels. By the end of this module, you will be able to audit a homeowners policy for hidden gaps and navigate the tradeoffs between lower premiums and higher protection.

Module 3 | Auto Insurance and Property Risk on the Road

This module focuses on the road, breaking down required and optional auto coverages like liability, collision, and comprehensive. We will discuss modern pressures on the auto market, including telematics, the gig economy, and the unique risks of electric vehicles. By the end of this module, you will understand the mechanics of a Personal Auto Policy and be able to identify common coverage gaps that leave your assets vulnerable.

Module 4 | Umbrella Policies and Applying what you’ve learned

Our final module explains how Umbrella insurance extends underlying coverage to protect your future earnings and human capital from major legal judgments. We will also evaluate how emerging technologies and climate risks are reshaping insurance availability and broadening our strategy to include health and life insurance. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!