Insurance risk surveyor
Career outlook for insurance risk surveyor
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£22,000
£22,000
Experienced
£100,000
£100,000
Currently employed in Scotland
13,400
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would check buildings, machinery and other possessions that people want to protect with insurance. You’d spot issues that that could be a potential danger and explain to people how to make things safer.
You could do surveys of buildings, machinery, transport and other sites or items that need to be insured. You’d then report back to insurance underwriters who would then decide how much to charge for the insurance policy, and the terms and conditions of the policy.
You would normally assess the risks related to one of these specialised areas:
- Fire and perils – examine plans, construction and fire protection systems
- Accidents and liability – find possible risks to employees, customers and visitors on a building or site
- Engineering insurance – look for faults and risks in mechanical and industrial plants, machinery and equipment
- Burglary and theft – inspect business premises to check security and storage methods
In all these areas you explain the issues clearly to people who are not experts, and persuade them that it would be better to make some changes. You’d make sure that the companies understand the risks and have put in place a plan to manage the risks. You would make sure that they have introduced good health and safety procedures.
You would usually work for general insurance companies, brokers, firms of specialist surveyors or local authorities.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
66%
Part-time
12%
Self employed
22%
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- Cooperating
- Verbal communication
- Problem solving
- Observation
- Attention to detail
- Developing a plan
- Time management
- Reliable
- Negotiating
- Taking responsibility
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Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
Though there are no set routes to enter this job most entrants have an honours degree at 2.1 or above and considerable industry experience in insurance/underwriting.
Any degree subject is acceptable, but science or technologies, financial, business studies or risk management qualifications are particularly helpful.
Useful subjects
- English (required by most employers and courses)
- Maths (required by most employers and courses)
- Accounts
- Economics
- Statistics
- ICT subjects
- Business subjects
- Humanities subjects
Helpful to have
Once in the job further professional qualifications are available from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) or National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH).
Technical Modern Apprenticeship in Insurance (SVQ level 4).