An insurance clerk is in charge of keeping track of life, health, home, business, fire, and automobile insurance files and records. The information on policy terms, account activity, and claims is usually included in these documents. In addition, the clerk is frequently asked to assist with general office support tasks.
An insurance clerk’s responsibilities typically include tracking policy renewal dates and contacting customers who have fallen behind on their insurance payments. She prepares payment receipts and vouchers on a regular basis and logs the transactions in a manual log or a computer database. If the policy is changed or the payment terms are changed, she is usually required to keep track of it in the customer’s file. Compiling amortization schedules is another task that is frequently assigned to a clerk in this industry.
Some companies require the clerk to compile statistical data on a regular basis for reports requested regulatory agencies or parent companies. These frequently reflect industry trends, demographic analysis, or the insurance buying habits of customers. The insurance clerk is frequently asked to provide reports and summaries of specific department activities for internal review.
The duties of an insurance clerk frequently shift based on the demands of customers and the office staff. She may be asked to archive records or purge dead files if the customer’s needs are minimal. Answering phones and composing correspondence are two other administrative support tasks she may be assigned.
When there is a high volume of customers, the clerk concentrates on meeting their needs and answering their questions. She quotes rates on a regular basis, calculates claims, and is frequently authorized to pay minor claims to customers. Contacting customers for information missing from their files, claims, and applications is a common customer service function. She may also refer you to outside resources to help you solve problems that aren’t related to insurance. These referrals could come from agencies that rate or recommend insurance attorneys, auto repair shops, or other consumer-oriented businesses.
If a customer has a problem that the insurance clerk can’t solve on her own, she can ask her supervisor or a claims adjuster for help. These issues are frequently related to increased premium rates, denials of coverage, or late payments owed to the customer. To resolve the discrepancies to the customer’s satisfaction, the clerk may be required to conduct extensive research.
There is no formal education or training required for this position. In most cases, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. It’s preferable if you’ve worked in the insurance industry before. Background working in an office environment that required computer skills and organizational abilities is preferred over industry experience.