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Insurance claims handler

Check information from people who claim for money from their insurance company because they've had an accident or problem.

Also known as: claims technician, claims settler, claims negotiator, claims investigator, claims assessor, claims administrator

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£327

Entry level

£962

Experienced

Monthly

£1,417

Entry level

£4,167

Experienced

Yearly

£17,000

Entry level

£50,000

Experienced

5,200

people are currently employed

Low growth

100 fewer jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You would check information from people who are claiming for money from their insurance company because they’ve had an accident or problem.

You would check that when people make a claim on their insurance policy that they are entitled to receive money because of the problem they’ve experienced. For example, this could be because their house or car has been damaged in an accident or crime. Or a person might need money because they are too ill to work or their pet is sick.

You’d organise to pay the money to them, up to the limit agreed when they signed up to the policy.

You would:

  • Take details when a customer reports a claim

  • Send them claim forms

  • Explain the claims process to customers

  • Check that the person has kept up the payments for the insurance policy

  • Check insurance claims that the policy covers the claim

  • Collect information such as receipts, photographs or valuations

  • Tell customers how their claim might affect their future insurance payments

  • Arrange payments on straightforward claims

  • Refer doubtful, complex or high-value claims to a claims manager

You might also arrange for trades people to make repairs to property or buildings which have been damaged.

With experience, you could work as a claims negotiator, investigating more complex claims and negotiating with solicitors, insurers and clients before agreeing to pay out.

Hours

In a full-time job you would work 35 to 40 hours a week, in an insurance office or contact centre. You might work standard office hours Monday to Friday, or shifts including evenings and weekends in a contact centre. Part-time work is often available.

Environment

You would be office-based, and spend most of your time speaking on the phone and using a computer.

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Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Financial services
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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • analysing
  • making decisions
  • sorting
  • attention to detail
  • questioning
  • observation
  • working with numbers
  • verbal communication

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

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Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Accounting

  • Administration and Information Technology

  • Business

  • Mathematics

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Financial Services

  • Applications of Mathematics

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

You will usually require Nationals and many employers prefer Highers or equivalent college or work-based qualifications at SCQF levels 4 to 6 or relevant work-based qualifications such as a Modern Apprenticeship in Providing Financial Services (SVQ level 2/3).

A relevant Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8), or a degree (SCQF level 9/10) is usually required to gain access to graduate training schemes.

Larger insurance broking companies increasingly offer graduate training programmes; qualifications in accounting, business management, economics, finance, mathematics and statistics are particularly useful.

Qualifications and experience in finance and/or customer service such as Skills for Work Financial Services (SCQF level 5). 

Once in the job a range of professional qualifications are available. Most individuals study insurance qualifications from Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) but to be eligible to offer certain types of financial advice such as life, health or mortgage insurance you will require an appropriate Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) qualification.

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