Insurance Claims Handler

Typical Salary

£15,000 To £50,000

Typical Hours

37 to 39 a week

evenings / weekends on shifts

How To Become a Insurance Claims Handler

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly
a company's trainee scheme

College / University

You could take the Chartered Insurance Institute's Foundation Insurance Test award to get a basic understanding of insurance.

GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through an advanced apprenticeship as an insurance practitioner.

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You may be able to start as an admin assistant or technician and work your way up to be a claims handler. You'll usually need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths.

If you want to apply directly you'll find it useful to have:

GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English and maths
IT skills
experience in office work or customer service

Some companies will test your skills in communication and numbers at the interview stage

Other Routes

You could join a large insurance firm's training scheme if you've got A levels and relevant work experience, or a degree in a relevant subject, like business studies or maths.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
customer service skills
administration skills
the ability to work well with others
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
sensitivity and understanding
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

taking details when a customer reports a claim
issuing claim forms
giving advice on the claim process
checking insurance claims
making sure premiums have been paid and that policies cover the claim
gathering information like receipts, photographs or valuations
telling customers how their claim might affect their policy premiums
arranging payments on straightforward claims
referring doubtful, complex or high-value claims to a claims manager

Working Environment

You could work in an office or in a contact centre.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute and Discover Risk.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.