Insurance claims inspector
Insurance claims inspectors are employed directly by insurance companies to investigate claims made by policyholders. Their role includes dealing with a claim, accessing liability and following it through to completion and settlement.
They coordinate the services that may be required by policyholders following an accident or incident, such as contacting an approved tradesperson and organising a visit from them to make repairs on a policyholder's home. They also try to prevent fraudulent claims.
Claims inspectors differ from loss adjusters in that they usually work for a single insurance company, whereas a loss adjuster works for a range of companies and generally deals with larger and more complex cases.
Typical activities include:
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following degree subjects may increase your chances:
This area of work is also open to diplomates. The following HND subjects may improve your chances:
Graduates with UK awarded business, economics, management, accounting, finance and law qualifications may be given prior-learning accreditation for their studies within the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) syllabus. Contact the CII for further information.
There are two entry routes into the profession: through a general graduate management training scheme with the larger insurance companies; or directly into claims work after initial training. It is possible to follow the second route without a degree. An alternative route into the job is through more junior/clerical positions, moving up through the company by training and promotion. A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not required.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Personal qualities are as highly valued as qualifications and experience in claims work. Entry with a criminal conviction, with the exception of most motoring offences, is not possible. There is a high level of competition for positions both from graduates and non-graduates with general insurance claims experience. Apply early in your final year. For direct entry to junior posts, speculative applications are recommended.
Entry as a career change is possible with relevant background experience, such as work in a safety or legal capacity.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training is usually undertaken on the job and is generally structured and supported by formal training courses, often in-house. Once appointed, you will generally have two years' intense on-the-job training followed by a further two to three years' experience in underwriting risk and negotiating claims. Training areas include:
Studying to become an associate member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) is generally preferred rather than required. Associateship usually takes between two and three years and enhances opportunities for career development.
Individual insurance companies may provide their own ongoing training courses in areas such as personal safety and communication skills. The CII Claims Faculty provides information on training and current professional issues. It is important to keep up to date with legislation and developments in the field. Training and professional development in specific areas, such as safety, may also allow insurance claims inspectors to specialise later on in their career.
Career progression up the management structure is possible, either in the claims or other departments of insurance companies. Within a large company structure, claims inspectors can move into a senior claims inspector role. With experience and progression comes an increase in responsibility for more complex cases.
Involvement in project work, such as quality control or training, is also possible, depending on the nature of the company. Other possibilities include a move into loss adjusting, risk management, or health and safety consultancy.
In order to progress, it is important to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) through training courses provided by employers and relevant professional bodies, such as the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) . Both organisations provide a range of insurance law exams and qualifications. Qualification requirements will vary depending on the employer.
Gaining more specialised qualifications can enable a move into a different insurance area, such as employer or public liability. In order to gain further responsibility and experience, it may be necessary to move to a larger company or an organisation with a focus on a specialised area of insurance.
Insurance claims inspectors are employed by both large and small insurance companies to assess the validity of a range of claims made by their policyholders.
The key areas within insurance that require assessment include:
Insurance companies also employ insurance claims inspectors in risk management teams to assess accidents in the workplace or the incidence of work-related illnesses.
Association of British Insurers (ABI) is the trade association for the insurance industry and it currently represents over 350 companies. The ABI website lists company contact details and business type.
Refer to the financial sections/supplements of the national press.
Recruitment agencies regularly handle vacancies. See the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) website for details.
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