Insurance loss adjuster

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• a graduate training scheme

University

You could take a degree before applying for a place on an insurance company's training scheme. Relevant degrees include:

• business studies
• finance
• law
• surveying
• construction

It will help to get some relevant work experience whilst you're studying, for example through an internship.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing a higher apprenticeship for insurance professionals, or a senior insurance professional degree apprenticeship.

These take between 24 to 36 months to complete and are a mix of workplace learning and study.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could move into loss adjusting after getting experience as a claims technician or assistant loss adjuster with an insurance company.

You could also complete qualifications while you're working in insurance through a professional body like the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters .

OtherRoutes

You could apply to join a company's graduate training scheme if you've got a degree. Most subjects are accepted though you may have an advantage if you've studied business, law, maths or economics.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• negotiation skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• maths skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to read English
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of English language
• active listening skills
• administration skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent written communication skills
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• concentration skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Insurance loss adjusters investigate large or complicated claims for insurance companies.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• visit sites to survey damage
• interview customers
• gather evidence, like security camera footage or police reports
• request reports from specialists, like building surveyors
• check that claims against policies are reasonable
• organise clean-up operations or building repairs
• make further investigations if you suspect fraud
• give evidence in court
• present reports and recommendations to insurers

Location : You could work in an office or from home.
Environment : Your working environment may be you'll travel often and emotionally demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £65,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends occasionally

Career Path:

With experience, you could specialise in a particular type of claim, like property, business interruption or subsidence. You can find out more about specialist loss adjustment roles from the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters .

You could move into management, or work overseas for a global business.

You could become self-employed and work freelance. If you become a chartered loss adjuster, you could set up your own practice and run your own company.