Insurance risk surveyor
Insurance risk surveyors advise clients about the potential risks to them or their business, and how to minimise them to get the right level of cover.
Also known as: Risk consultants, risk control surveyors, risk control advisers
- Starter salary£28,000 a year
- Experienced£70,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 42 a week
What you'll do
As an insurance risk surveyor, you could:
- carry out risk assessments on individuals and businesses
- check building plans and fire protection systems
- analyse data to work out risk levels
- prepare risk reports and recommendations for underwriters
- advise clients on how to reduce the risk of future insurance claims
- work closely with health and safety inspectors and building control officers
- lead the work of the risk control team
- make sure all legal requirements are met
- keep up to date with emerging risks, like cyber attacks and environmental issues
Working environment
You could work in an office or visit sites.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of economics and accounting
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- excellent written communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a insurance risk surveyor
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
University
You can study for a degree before applying to join an organisation's graduate training scheme.
Useful subjects include:
- actuarial science
- maths
- finance
- business and management
- building surveying
- engineering
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Apprenticeship
You can apply to do an apprenticeship with an insurance firm, such as:
- Insurance Professional Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Senior Insurance Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
These take between 2 and 3 years to complete and combine workplace training and study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 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 start working as an administrator for a risk management team to build up your skills and knowledge.
Employers will usually look for a minimum of GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, 1 or 2 A levels, and good IT skills.
Once working, you could take qualifications that include units on risk management, like those offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) . For example:
- Certificate in Insurance
- Diploma in Insurance
- Advanced Diploma in Insurance
Direct application
You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant qualifications and experience in a related profession, like:
- building or quantity surveying
- health and safety
- insurance underwriting or loss adjusting
- fire safety engineering
Career path and progression
You could become a senior risk surveyor, head of a risk management department, or lead a compliance and governance unit.
You could also set up your own risk management company and work as a consultant.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Chartered Insurance Institute for professional development opportunities and to build up your contacts in the industry.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleActuary
- Job roleInsurance underwriter
- Job roleInsurance loss adjuster
- Job roleInsurance claims handler
- Job roleHealth and safety adviser
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