Case studies: Insurance claims graduate: Craig Ross

Craig has a degree in law from the University of Chester. After spending time travelling and working for a small insurance company, he now works for Allianz on their Claims Graduate Scheme...

Having graduated with a law degree I was unsure where my future career lay. As a result I spent a year travelling before returning to the UK and securing a position with a small niche insurance company. During this time I gained experience of working within claims and thoroughly enjoyed the variety and 'problem-solving' elements of the role.

Whilst I enjoyed this role, however, I also craved the opportunities of development and progression offered by larger organisations. I therefore researched opportunities in the insurance market before applying for the Claims Graduate Scheme at Allianz .

The application process was comprehensive, including online competency questions and tests. Subsequently I had a telephone interview, which considering you were not able to read your interviewer's body language was quite nerve-racking. Following this interview I was invited to an assessment day. The assessment day consisted of interviews, presentations and role plays. This day was intense but, in addition to allowing a comprehensive assessment, it provided a great opportunity to learn a little more about the ethos and culture within Allianz.

Having been successful in my application I am now in my second year of the Claims Graduate Scheme. During my time with Allianz I have completed three placements with different teams within the casualty department of the claims division. This structured system has allowed me to gain exposure to each area of the department, which has in turn allowed me to quickly understand and develop the skills required in each of these areas, as well as broadening my understanding of the department as a whole.

In conjunction with my day-to-day role, the scheme has allowed me the flexibility to attend court trials, meet with solicitors/counsel, make site visits and undertake other investigations relevant to claims investigation. The combination of the day-to-day exposure to claims and external visits has allowed my knowledge and skills to rapidly develop. As a result, each placement has allowed me to deal with increasingly complex and higher value claims.

My knowledge has also been supplemented by my Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)  studies. Allianz has provided support, both financially and in terms of study time, to allow me to study towards ACII status, which I am hoping to achieve shortly.

I currently deal with injury claims made against large clients. This means that I handle notifications of new losses, in addition to managing my current caseload towards settlement. In practice this means that I discuss and negotiate with underwriters, brokers, policyholders, loss adjusters and solicitors on a daily basis.

The various parties involved in the claims process all have their own interests to protect and consequently all make demands on your time. The role therefore requires strong communication and time management skills. Furthermore, as no claim is ever the same, it is important to be able to adapt and to quickly react to the situation presented.