How do I get Started in an Insurance Career?

Starting a career in insurance is relatively simple, and you only need a few basic skills to get started. While a college degree may be required for some insurance positions, most people can find work in the industry with only a high school diploma. If you don’t want to or can’t afford to go to college, you might want to consider a career in insurance.

You must be able to type and use a computer in order to work in the insurance industry. Most companies have their own proprietary software for tracking policy and claim information in addition to standard computer applications. You should be able to communicate professionally over the phone and have a basic understanding of math. Many insurance careers necessitate passing a licensing exam and meeting continuing education requirements in order to keep their licenses current.

Customer service and claims are where you’ll find the majority of entry-level insurance jobs. A career in claims insurance can lead to other opportunities, such as subrogation, which is an insurance term for collection. Customer service and claims representatives frequently transition from automobile or homeowners claims to injury and litigation claims. It’s possible that claims adjusters will need to be licensed.

Fraud investigator is one of the most in-demand insurance jobs. A seasoned claims adjuster can work as a fraud investigator, but a college diploma is often required. Because of the nature of fraud claims, a thorough understanding of consumer protection laws and criminal justice is required. In such a position, most insurance companies prefer candidates with a college diploma.

A college degree is also more likely to be required for an underwriting insurance career than for a claims insurance career. Most high school graduates, on the other hand, can find work as an underwriter’s assistant and work their way up to an underwriter position with hard work. In many cases, underwriters must be licensed and maintain continuing education credits in order to do business.

Underwriters must maintain a professional demeanor and be well-organized. To obtain accurate information and maintain a friendly working relationship, they must be able to communicate with insurance agents and claims representatives. Underwriters can advance to careers in risk management and actuarial science, but they will need a college diploma to do so.

Another good place to look for an insurance job is at an insurance agency. You can work as a broker, placing business with insurance companies, or as a producer, actively selling insurance policies. Brokers and producers are frequently required to be licensed in order to conduct business.