Exactly what motivates a Policeman to turn to a career in insurance may not be immediately evident. In Bermuda the importance and prominence of the insurance industry have resulted in an infrastructure which creates the necessary professionals.

Armed with the Bermuda Insurance Diploma and having completed the Bermuda Insurance Institute's (BII) programme in general insurance, Michael Cox was able to resign from the Bermuda Police Service and walk straight into a position with local insurance company Freisenbruch-Meyer.

Guarded on his reasons for leaving the Service, Mr. Cox noted that the shift work was difficult with his young family.

Married to wife Lee-Anne and with new 3-month-old baby daughter Julia, the ex-Policeman said he and his wife had to look at their prospects for the future. And he said the switch was very much a family decision.

"I was looking to change my career,'' said Mr. Cox, who had spent six years in uniformed patrol.

"I knew several people who are in the insurance field and talked to them about it,'' he added.

"But the courses at the Bermuda Insurance Institute really developed my interest. The Institute provided an excellent platform for me to make my decision. I got a good taste of what the industry's about.'' Mr. Cox said that through the BII he came into direct contact with people in the field.

"I would meet them as other students in a course or often they would be teaching the course,'' he said.

Taking courses through the BII for three years, Mr. Cox was able to attain the Bermuda Insurance Diploma and certification in the general insurance programme.

"They offer a good range of courses which is quite diverse,'' he said.

Michael tries insurance `beat' Courses at the Institute cost about $260 and run for four months. Mr. Cox said for him it was well worth the investment. At 34 years of age he estimated that he had at least another 30 years of working life ahead of him.

"I decided I wanted to educate myself,'' he said, "and it was a small price to pay to get a decent education in the industry. In the long run it will really benefit me.'' Mr. Cox began his working insurance life on Monday, with local insurer Freisenbruch Meyer.