Insurance administration assistant

Insurance administration assistants carry out clerical and support duties in an insurance office. In small offices, they perform a range of duties; in larger offices, they might specialise.

Also known as:

• Insurance technician

Work activities

Insurance cover is available to help customers who have suffered losses caused by events such as theft, accident or illness. The customer pays a regular amount of money (called a premium) and receives a written policy. This sets out the conditions under which the insurance company will provide a settlement by way of repairs, replacement or reinstatement of items. Insurance administration assistants carry out clerical duties such as recording and checking information, word processing, opening and sending out mail, replying to emails, photocopying and filing. In a small, high-street office, they might carry out a wide range of tasks, including dealing with the public over the phone or face to face at a counter. They might be dealing with motor, life, household or business insurance, for example. In large organisations, administration assistants might specialise in one area after their initial training. Wherever they work, the job is likely to involve completing some paperwork, speaking on the phone and using IT.

Administration assistants could work in any department of an insurance company. These include:

• The sales/broking department, which assesses clients’ insurance requirements.
• The underwriting department, which deals with the price, terms and conditions of insurance policies.
• The processing/renewals department, which issues policies and collects premiums arranged by underwriters.
• The claims department, which checks that claims are valid and organises help and settlements.

Personal Qualities and Skills

As an insurance administration assistant, you’ll need:

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• To be accurate in the use of numbers.
• A methodical approach to work.
• To be well organised.
• IT skills.
• Teamwork skills.

Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Insurance administrators start on around £17,000 per year, rising to £40,000 for more experienced professionals.

Insurance administration assistants usually work 37-39 hours, Monday to Friday.

Employers are insurance companies, agencies and brokers. Opportunities for insurance administration assistants occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on job boards and employers’ websites, on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry Routes and Training

You can enter this career by applying directly for vacancies with insurance companies, agents and brokers.

A number of apprenticeships might offer a way into this role:

• Business administrator (level 3 / advanced)
• Insurance professional (level 4 / higher)

Training is usually carried out on-the-job. It might be possible to work towards an Award or Certificate in providing financial services at levels 2 and 3.

Career progression is possible through the exams of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). The Award for the Foundation Insurance Test provides credits towards the certificate in insurance. Insurance administration assistants can progress to sales, customer service and claims technician posts.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme. To do a higher apprenticeship, you’ll need two A-levels as well as GCSEs.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have developed skills by working in financial or clerical work, for example, in an accounts department.

Distance learning is available from the Chartered Insurance Institute for the Certificate in Insurance.

Related careers

• Accounts assistant
• Administrative assistant
• Customer service advisor (banking)
• Insurance broker
• Insurance claims handler
• Insurance sales advisor
• Payroll assistant
• Post office counter clerk