Insurance claims handler
Insurance claims handlers process customers' claims on their insurance policies. They also give admin support for other types of insurance work.
Also known as: Claims administrator, claims settler, claims technician, claims assessor
- Starter salary£23,000 a year
- Experienced£40,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a claims handler, you could:
- take details when a customer makes a claim
- check forms, documents and other evidence submitted with a claim
- assess insurance claims against policies held
- keep policy holders, insurers and other parties up to date with progress
- refer more complex cases to senior handlers
- identify and escalate potentially bogus claims for further investigation
- make sure premiums are up to date
- arrange payments on straightforward claims
- keep accurate records of cases
Working environment
You could work in an office or in a contact centre.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
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
- excellent written communication skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a insurance claims handler
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- training with a professional body
University
You can study for a university degree before applying for a job. Employers accept most subjects although some may give preference to ones like:
- finance
- maths
- law
- economics
- business management
It can help to get some relevant work experience whilst you're studying, for example through an internship or a year in industry placement.
Your university careers service will be able to help you with this.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could do a college course which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge needed to get a trainee position in insurance.
Courses include:
- customer service
- providing financial services
- T Level in Finance
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an insurance or financial company.
These include:
- Insurance Practitioner Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Senior Financial Services Customer Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Insurance Professional Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
These normally take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine workplace training and study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 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 may be able to start as an admin assistant or insurance clerk and take further training on the job to become a claims handler.
You'll usually need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, A levels or equivalent qualifications.
Direct application
You can apply directly for jobs. You'll usually need:
- experience in insurance, related financial services or banking
- GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths
- good IT skills
- excellent communication skills
Other routes
You could take the Chartered Insurance Institute's (CII) Foundation Insurance Test award to get a basic understanding of insurance. This may help you to find a trainee position with an insurance company.
Once working, you could study for further CII qualifications, as your career develops, such as the Certificate in Insurance .
If you have a university degree, you might be able to apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an insurance firm.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could work as a claims negotiator, or be promoted to senior claims handler or claims manager.
You could also move into other areas of insurance, like:
- loss adjusting
- brokerage
- account management
- compliance
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) for professional development opportunities.
Guides for this industry
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