Insurance Claims Inspector

Also known as:

Claims Assessor, Insurance

Introduction

Insurance claims inspectors are employed by insurance underwriters to investigate claims made by policy holders. They check that each claim is covered by the terms and conditions of the policy and investigate the cause of loss or damage.

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Work Activities

Insurance protects customers from loss caused by events such as fire, theft, accident or illness. The customer pays a regular premium and receives a written policy that sets out the conditions under which an insurance company pays compensation.

Insurance claims inspectors, sometimes known as claims assessors, work for insurance underwriters and are responsible for investigating claims submitted by policyholders. They check that each claim is covered by the terms and conditions of the policy and investigate the cause of loss or damage. Throughout their investigations, inspectors must be aware that the claim could be fraudulent.

Inspectors may need to inspect damaged buildings or vehicles to gather evidence needed to determine a settlement. In more complicated cases they may have to talk to solicitors, the police and eye-witnesses. In straightforward claims, agreement between an insurance company and a claimant may be reached quickly.

However, even after they have decided whether or not the insurance company should pay compensation, it can take a long time to decide what the settlement sum should be.

Very complicated claims often need the intervention of an independent loss adjuster who acts as intermediary between insurer and claimant. A loss adjuster has the same role as an insurance claims inspector but is employed by a company of loss adjusters rather than an insurance company.

Claims can result from personal accident, loss of goods in transit, theft, loss of profits, fire, flood and storm damage. Large scale disasters such as floods generate a huge number of claims, all requiring prompt attention.

Some insurance firms and many inspectors specialise in a particular type of insurance such as aviation, motor or marine.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

To be a claims inspector you need to be thorough, methodical and able to pay close attention to detail.

You should have sound numerical ability, together with a detailed understanding of relevant insurance policies.

You need good communication and interpersonal skills as you will have to interview claimants and negotiate settlements. You must be honest and trustworthy to gain the confidence of claimants.

You might sometimes have to interview claimants who are upset, shocked or distressed. You must then be tactful, sympathetic and patient. At the same time you must be assertive enough to challenge discrepancies if they appear.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Insurance claims inspectors earn in the range of £18,500 - £24,000 a year, rising to around £32,000 - £47,000. Higher earners can make around £55,000 a year, and higher salaries are possible.

Other benefits may include low-rate mortgages, medical insurance, and life and pension cover.

Insurance claims inspectors usually work 35-hours Monday to Friday. Occasional evening/weekend work may be required.

Opportunities occur with insurance companies throughout the UK.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have a background in financial or business-related work. A clean current driving licence is usually necessary.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Business) could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Some employers recruit graduates with a business-related (including insurance) or numerate degree.

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) may relax the usual academic entrance requirements for adults who wish to take their exams. Distance learning is available from the CII for professional qualifications

• 22% of people in occupations such as insurance claims inspector work part-time.
• 17% have flexible hours.

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