Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals

AFIP Certification

Become an Industry Leader

F&I managers and the lenders and vendors who service F&I departments make a valuable contribution to both the dealer’s bottom line and the customer’s car-buying experience. But the F&I department is often the source of devastating lawsuits, hefty fines and reputation-ruining media scrutiny.

AFIP Certified F&I Professionals are industry leaders. They have the tools and education necessary to sell aftermarket products and find financing options for almost every interested buyer within the confines of the law. Take our 10-question F&IQ Test to see how you stack up.

Benefits of AFIP Membership

One of the most important indicators of quality service and commitment is membership in a professional association. The AFIP diploma on your wall and logo on your business card shows your customers you have the education necessary to help them get the vehicle they need at a price they can afford. Lenders trust AFIP Certified F&I Professionals because they have the skills to make deals that benefit the customer, the dealer and the lender who buys the deal.

Your commitment to the superior knowledge that can be gained from AFIP Certification and the AFIP Code of Ethics increases your esteem in the eyes of customers, lenders and vendors, and employers and co-workers.

Customized Certification

Choose from the following AFIP Certification programs of study:

• Franchised (new vehicle)
• Independent (used vehicle)
• Motorcycle / RV / Marine
• Commercial Trucking / Heavy Equipment

AFIP Certified F&I Professionals will receive recognition materials to show their colleagues and customers they’re knowledgeable, skilled and capable professionals in their field.

Order your AFIP Certification Course and become a member now!

Red Flags Rule

Red Flags Rule

The FTC Red Flags Rule requires dealers (among other businesses) to create and implement a plan to deter identity theft. The rule requires you to identify a series of red flags -- patterns, practices or specific forms of activity that indicate a possible risk of identity theft – and check the information provided by customers carefully to ensure they’re the person they claim to be.

AFIP, through Member Benefits Services, Inc., provides two inexpensive solutions to help you generate the required written Red Flags Rule program and train your employees.

DealerAide: Red Flags Rule Support

One of the most important indicators of quality service and commitment is membership in a professional association. The AFIP diploma on your wall and logo on your business card shows your customers you have the education necessary to help them get the vehicle they need at a price they can afford. Lenders trust AFIP Certified F&I Professionals because they have the skills to make deals that benefit the customer, the dealer and the lender who buys the deal.

This do-it-yourself version of the turnkey program gives you instructions on creating your dealership’s program and training personnel and comes with the supplies you need to get started... More Information

Why They Work

• Protects those responsible – the board of directors and upper-level management
• Managed by an appointed Red Flags Rule Compliance Officer
• Mid-level managers (F&I directors, sales managers) respond to red flags (possible indicators of ID theft)
• F&I personnel concentrate on selling aftermarket products and making deals – they only collect and verify customer information
• No additional F&I forms
• Identity Theft Prevention Signswarn identity thieves to go elsewhere to steal a car and show customers you’re prepared to protect their identities

Dealership Partner

AFIP Certification… the Dealer’s First Line of Defense!

The F&I department is the single largest source of:

• costly fines for violation of the law
• time-consuming and expensive legal entanglements
• devastating media scrutiny

Before that critical regulatory inspection, opportunistic lawyer or hidden camera exposé eats into your profits and ruins your good name, partner with AFIP to certify your financial services personnel. AFIP also offers a host of regulatory compliance solutions.

(Other than the cost of certification, there are no one-time or annual fees.)

Benefits

Maintaining a fully AFIP Certified F&I staff will show customers, regulatory agencies, your employees, lenders and vendors that you’re committed to compliance and ethical behavior, and can be used to show the media and courts your commitment if one of your employees does make an error. AFIP Certified F&I Professionals are industry leaders. They have the tools and education necessary to sell aftermarket products and find financing options for almost every interested buyer within the confines of the law.

• AFIP Certified F&I Professionals know the law and sign a Code of Ethics agreeing to hold themselves personally accountable for their actions.
• Not only will your F&I managers be less likely to get you sued, but because of their familiarity with the law, they can make deals that benefit the dealership and the customer – and avoid sending customers to your competitors.
• Even the most detail-oriented, ethical workers make mistakes. If something does go wrong, regulators and the courts often look favorably upon those who’ve taken the steps necessary to ensure that this is simply a mistake and not the way you normally do business
• Educated professionals are more confident, and confidence can translate into increased sales without the risks associated with the “creative” solicitation techniques employed by those who must rely on instinct alone to make sales.
• In addition to their F&I manager’s individual AFIP Certification benefits, dealers with fully certified F&I staffs can display the “Fully Certified Financial Services Staff” window decals to let customers know they’ve chosen a top-quality dealership.

How to Become an AFIP Dealer Partner

To be considered an AFIP Dealer Partner, you must certify your entire financial services staff and any other personnel you believe may benefit from a better understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of F&I. Other than the cost of certification (and any additional training you wish to employ), you will not be charged to become a Dealer Partner.

Become an AFIP Dealer Partner now! Contact one of the AFIP Industry Members already servicing your dealership or AFIP now!