History
The Life Underwriters Association of Jamaica (LUAJ) was established on July 4, 1932, and is one of the oldest membership organizations in Jamaica. It is located at 72 Hope Road and is a
non-profit organization that represents the sales force of the life insurance industry.
In 1998, under the guidance and effort of the then President, Mrs. Marcelle Fenton, the LUAJ Board saw it necessary to change the Association’s name to The Jamaica Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (JAIFA) in keeping with the global trend. After a lengthy deliberation, the name change was effected in July, 2003, under the presidency of Mr. Glendon Gordon.
Motto
Service to the Nation and the Profession
Creed
I will be loyal to the insuring public and to the institution of Life Insurance.
I will respect the confidence and interest of my clients, giving advice without bias and without regard for personal advantage.
I will conserve the Life Insurance policies of all companies, not making misleading or derogatory statements.
I will uphold the Constitution, By-Laws and Code of Ethics of the Jamaica Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors to the best of my ability.
ORGANIZATION OF SERVICE TO MEMBERS


About JAIFA

At JAIFA, we believe that the foundation of financial advisor excellence is built on unyielding ethics and professional integrity.
Our members adhere to a rigorous code of conduct designed to protect the interests of Jamaican investors and elevate the status of the financial services industry. We are dedicated to continuous professional development and transparency, ensuring that every interaction is governed by trust.
The Role of JAIFA
The Association’s primary role is to:
1. Administer professional education courses
2. Promote the adoption of high standards of ethical conduct in the profession
3. Provide the linkage with the life insurance industry, Life Underwriters Associations worldwide and the government of Jamaica.
Education & Ethical Standards
JAIFA is committed to the development of its members, and this is achieved through the educational programmes and motivational seminars that are offered. At present, JAIFA offers four professional courses:
1. The Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP).
The eight (8) courses constituting the educational requirement for the CARAIFA FSCP Designation are:
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FA 201 Techniques for Exploring Personal Markets
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FA 202 Techniques for Meeting Clients' Needs
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FA 251 Essentials of Business Insurance
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FA 257 Essentials of Life Insurance Products
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FA 261 Foundations of Retirement Planning
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FA 271 Foundations of Estate Planning
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FA 290 Ethics for the Financial Services Professional
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FP 99 FSCP Certification Course & Examination
2. Agency Management Training Course (AMTC).
Participants in the AMTC Course gain practical knowledge and apply proven industry methods across five key areas:
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Strategic orientation and planning to achieve defined objectives
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Effective recruitment of high-performing sales professionals
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Selection of new agents, including presenting the career path persuasively
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Training approach that drives measurable results
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Performance management techniques to foster sales growth
This program is tailored for insurance and financial services sales managers with at least three years of management experience, as well as functional managers seeking to strengthen specific leadership and development skills.
ETHICAL STANDARDS
The Code of Ethics, based on the Insurance Act, governs the professional conduct of the life insurance sales representatives. JAIFA acts as the “watchdog” to ensure that these standards are kept.
Linkages
JAIFA is the link between its members and:
a) Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)
b) Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CARAIFA)
c) Canadian Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CAIFA)
d) The Life Insurance Companies Association of Jamaica – LICA
e) Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA)
f) Financial Services Commission (FSC) Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ)
g) The Office of Information Commissioner (OIC) – Data Protection Act
h) National Consumers League (NCL)
Through these links members are given the opportunity to qualify for:
a) Caribbean Quality Awards (CQA)
b) Caribbean Sales Achievement Awards (CSAA)
c) Caribbean President Circle (CPC)
d) Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)
Past Congresses
In order to keep the members in touch and to stimulate interest in the Association, JAIFA, through CARAIFA, has hosted numerous Sales Congresses under the stewardship of some of our very influential insurance men and women.
Below are the names of the congress directors and the themes associated with each year:
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1991 JAIFA “Overcoming the Challenges” R.M. “Jim” Parks
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1995 JAIFA “Commitment” Robert Robinson
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2000 JAIFA “Picture the Possibilities” Courtney Golding
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2006 JAIFA “Will Power” Pauline Channer \
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2010 JAIFA “Passage of Time” Carlton A Gordon
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2014 JAIFA “Embrace the Future” Pauline Archer
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2018 JAIFA “Empower to Rise” Orville Johnson
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2023 JAIFA “Resilience- Rising Above Monica Robotham Challenges”
Recognition
JAIFA honors members of the Association each year for outstanding performance in the life insurance industry. Agents from different companies compete annually for the various awards.
The following recognition is given to:
1. Membership Communication Committee (MCC) representative of the year
2. Agent of the Year for each company
3. Top Ten Production Members of the year
4. Top three agents – First year commission (earnings from new business in that year)
5. Top three agents - Cases
6. Production Member of the year - the agent who earns the highest first year commission with a low percentage of lapse cases.
7. Association Member of the year - this person must be a member of JAIFA for at least ten (10) years and is involved in industry and community activities
Achievements & Celebrations
Several organizations have been born out of JAIFA.
Some of these are:
I. The Insurance Employees Co-operative Credit Union (IECCU) which was incorporated in 1977.
II. Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CARAIFA), formerly Caribbean Association of Life Underwriters (CALU) which was formed during 1977 - 1978 administrative year.
III. The LUAJ/ Tennyson Palmer Basic School in Montego Bay. The school was adopted by the government as a model school. This was a project of JAIFA’s Western Chapter.
CELEBRATIONS
In July 2002, the Association commemorated its 70th anniversary with a formal dinner. Building on that tradition, the celebrations have continued to evolve over the years. Most recently, during Insurance Week of 2025, JAIFA marked its 93rd anniversary by hosting a lively marketplace and social gathering, highlighting both its enduring legacy and its commitment to engaging members in new and dynamic ways.
Outreach Programme
JAIFA provides for the interaction of its members with the wider community through its Outreach Programmes. Each year the Association targets a community need and raises funds to offset the cost. The Association’s outreach programme has provided funding for needy students at both secondary and tertiary institutions. A UWI scholarship fund was set up in 1977 and
several persons outside of the life insurance industry benefited.
Our association with the UWI came to an end in the late 1990s during the fallout of the financial sector. However, the membership rallied with extra fundraising activities to ensure that the scholarship recipients were not affected.
Our most recent projects are:
1999 - 2000 Assistance in providing a computer lab for Penwood Comprehensive High School.
2000 - 2001 Funding for the establishment of a reading room at Sir John Golding Centre formerly Mona Rehabilitation Center
2002-2003 Funding for provision of medication for children at “Dare to Care”, a hospice for children living with AIDS.
2003-2004 Assistance with the Golden Age Home Assisting the Million Dollar Round Table and Valmarks International to provide
mobility for over 300 physically challenged persons as assisting with the building of a playground for children in the New Haven Children's Home.
2005-2006 Installation of Ramps at the Mandeville Post Office Donation of sports equipment to Kiddy Caring Basic School
Blood compactor machine Mandeville Hospital
2014-2015 Donation of shoes to children's homes in Kingston Gerny bed donation to Annotto Bay Hospital
2018-2019 Grant given to Princess Margaret Hospital 2019-2021 Cash Donation made to the Constant Spring Primary and Infant School for the repair of bathrooms
2022-2023 Cash donations made to Cornwall Regional Hospital
2023-2024 Donation of air conditioning units to the pediatric ward at the Lionel Town Hospital JAIFA was the first organization in Jamaica to raise funds for AIDS support and in particular pediatric HIV/AIDS. The Association targeted this group of persons but with special emphasis on children with AIDS. The plan was to provide the facility with an income generating project in 2005.
Fundraisers
Over the years the main fundraiser hosted by JAIFA to assist the Association’s charities was the Annual Tag Drive, which has never been less than gratifying. This activity was hosted during Insurance Week each year.
CARAIFA Day of Common Concern
CARAIFA Day of Common Concern, observed annually on October 31st, is organized by the Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CARAIFA) to promote health awareness and prevention, with a focus on conditions such as diabetes, breast cancer and kidney disease, and hypertension. Through the CARAIFA Foundation, JAIFA collaborates in raising funds for these key causes, most notably Breast Cancer Awareness (October 31st) and Kidney Disease (March 12th).
These initiatives not only extend the impact of the Day of Common Concern but also demonstrate JAIFA’s commitment to supporting regional health priorities and strengthening community well-being.
Regional Transformation
Positioning JAIFA as the Caribbean's premier authority on financial advisory, driving regional integration and economic resilience.
Educational Excellence
Establishing advanced training and certification standards that empower professionals to lead with technical mastery and strategic foresight.
Ethical Leadership
Reinforcing the highest ethical frameworks to protect Jamaica's financial landscape and maintain public trust through advisor accountability.
2030 Target Horizon
Strategic Vision & Global Goals

Setting the gold standard for industry excellence, providing education and ethics to lead the nation's financial landscape.
















