Becoming An Insurance Assessor: Your Guide To Cracking Ireland's Market

If you're interested in becoming an insurance assessor in Ireland, you may want to consider the Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship Programme. This three-year, work-based training programme combines academic study with on-the-job learning, allowing you to develop both technical and soft skills. As an apprentice, you will be recruited into an insurance organisation, where you will learn the practical aspects of the job while studying towards your degree. All study is done online through ATU Sligo and The Insurance Institute or the LIA. There is also the option to pursue a bachelor's degree, although this is not necessary. A qualification in this field will provide you with the fundamental skills needed to evaluate risk and interpret policies.

Entry requirements and qualifications

To become an insurance assessor in Ireland, you can pursue a few different pathways, including obtaining a license from the Central Bank of Ireland or participating in an apprenticeship program. Here are the detailed entry requirements and qualifications for each route:

Licensed Insurance Agent:

To become a licensed insurance agent in Ireland, you must complete a pre-contract examination covering topics such as insurance law, ethics, and sales practices. Once you pass the exam, you'll need to navigate the process of applying for a license from the Central Bank of Ireland, which involves providing proof of your qualifications and experience and undergoing a background check. Additionally, ongoing training and education are necessary to stay updated with industry trends and regulations.

Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship:

The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship is a three-year, work-based training program that combines academic learning with on-the-job experience. This program is designed for school leavers, new graduates, and career changers who meet the entry requirements and aspire to build a career in the insurance industry. The minimum entry requirements include:

• A minimum of 2 honours at a higher level in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent, and a pass in four additional subjects, including Maths and English or Irish.
• If you are over 23, interviews or other selection tools may be used instead of these minimum requirements.
• You must be at least 18 years old.

Insurance Broker:

There are no standard entry requirements for insurance brokers. Graduates, college leavers, and school leavers can enter this career path. One way to become an insurance broker is to start in an administration or insurance technician role and then gain relevant experience and qualifications to progress. Alternatively, you can pursue the Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship, which leads to a Level 8 honours degree in Insurance Practice.

Skills needed

Communication skills are vital for insurance assessors, who must be able to absorb information from policyholders, insurance providers, and third parties. This includes asking questions to determine the type and extent of damage, the third parties involved, the date of the incident, and the location. Strong communication skills can ensure that the assessor absorbs this information accurately and provides the correct advice and review of the claim.

Attention to detail is also important when reviewing the damages involved in an insurance claim. Physical details can help determine the type and cause of the damage, and an assessor with good attention to detail can identify the damages that will affect the outcome of the claim.

Analytical skills are a must, as most of an assessor's responsibilities involve analysing details, facts, and policies. Strong analytical skills can help identify aspects of policies and incidents that can improve the policyholder's compensation value.

Empathy is another important skill for insurance assessors, who may encounter cases involving incidents that adversely affect the policyholder's mental or physical state. Empathy can help assessors communicate with respect and understanding, and build trust with the policyholder.

Additionally, insurance assessors need a good understanding of financial products and services, as well as insurance policies and procedures. This knowledge can help them identify policy aspects that can benefit their clients and determine if their client's policy compensates for the type of damage incurred.

Other important skills include confidence, strong negotiating and influencing skills, honesty, integrity, and the ability to write reports. Assessors also need to be organised, with excellent time management skills and the ability to gather and analyse information quickly.

Salary expectations

Licensed Insurance Agent

In Ireland, licensed insurance agents act as intermediaries between clients and insurance companies. They assist individuals and businesses in navigating complex insurance products, recommending suitable policies, and explaining coverage options. The salary for a licensed insurance agent in Ireland typically ranges from €25,000 to €35,000 annually for entry-level agents. As agents gain experience and build their client base, their salaries can increase significantly, with experienced agents earning up to €50,000 or more, especially with performance-based commissions.

Insurance Sales Agent

Insurance sales agents in Ireland sell insurance products to new and existing clients. They earn an average annual salary of €59,959, with an hourly rate of €29. The salary range for this position is between €34,297 and €74,290 per year. A high school degree is usually the highest level of education required for this role.

Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship

The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship is a three-year programme in Ireland that combines work-based training with academic studies. Apprentices are recruited into an insurance organisation, where they gain practical experience while working towards a BA (Hons) in Insurance Practice degree. Although specific salary information is not provided, employers set salaries that are commensurate with the industry entry-level rate. Apprentices also benefit from having their academic training government-funded.

Job responsibilities

An insurance assessor, also known as a claims assessor, is responsible for evaluating insurance claims to ensure that the claimant receives justifiable compensation. They are experts in insurance claim procedures and policies, and their key responsibilities include:

Communication and Liaison

An insurance assessor's first step is to contact the policyholder to gather facts and details about the claim. They ask questions to determine the type and extent of damage, the people involved, the date and location of the incident, and other relevant information. Throughout the process, they maintain regular communication with the policyholder, insurance providers, and any third parties involved.

Inspection and Evaluation

Insurance assessors inspect and evaluate the property or situation to decide if the claimant is owed compensation under the insurance policy. They assess the value of the assets before any damage occurred and then analyse the damages to determine the appropriate type and amount of compensation. This could be in the form of repairs, replacements, or monetary value. They also determine if the type of damage is covered by the policy.

Document Review and Investigation

Insurance assessors review a range of documents, including police reports, court records, and medical records, to assess the validity of the claim. They may also interview the claimant, witnesses, and other relevant parties to gather additional information. They are detail-oriented and analytical, ensuring that all relevant details are considered in their assessment.

Negotiation and Advocacy

Once the insurance assessor has determined the reasonable compensation, they may negotiate with insurance companies and responsible parties. They ensure that the insurance company provides the correct compensation as per the policy terms. In cases of disputes with insurers or complex claims involving multiple parties, insurance assessors act as advocates for their clients, mediating and negotiating on their behalf.

Customer Service and Empathy

Providing empathetic customer service is an essential aspect of the job. Insurance assessors often deal with claimants who have experienced losses or incidents that adversely affect their lives. Hence, they need to communicate with respect, understanding, and compassion.

Risk Assessment and Prevention

Insurance assessors also advise clients on risk prevention measures. They assess their clients' exposure to risk and advise on actions such as employee training or installing security systems to mitigate potential losses.

Administrative Tasks

Insurance assessors are responsible for managing the claim assessment process, which includes handling documentation, calculating and processing claim-related payments, and preparing recommendations to reduce risks. They also need to stay updated on industry trends and regulations to provide informed advice to their clients.

Career progression

There are several routes to becoming an insurance assessor in Ireland, and many different career paths to choose from within the industry.

The Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship Programme is an option for school leavers, graduates, and career changers. This three-year programme combines academic study with on-the-job learning, allowing apprentices to develop both technical and soft skills. Apprentices will be recruited into an insurance organisation, where they will learn the practical aspects of the job while studying towards a BA (Hons) in Insurance Practice. The degree is awarded by Atlantic Technical University, Sligo, and the Insurance Institute. Apprentices will also earn qualifications in Accredited Product Adviser (APA) and Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP). Entry requirements include a minimum of two honours at a higher level in the Leaving Cert or equivalent, and a pass in four additional subjects, including Maths and English or Irish.

Another route is to secure an entry-level customer service role within an insurance brokerage and gain on-the-job training. This route is suitable for those with previous experience of working with customers in another industry. Once you join the brokerage, you will be provided with training on products, systems, and compliance requirements. You will also be financially supported to complete your professional insurance qualifications through the Insurance Institute.

A third option is to complete third-level qualifications first, either in an unrelated field or in a course that includes an insurance-based module or placement. The University of Limerick’s Risk Management and Insurance MSc is an example of the latter. This route can be beneficial as the terminology and learning environment will already be familiar, and students will have developed strong skills in systems and attention to detail.

For those without a background in insurance, it is possible to move into a commercial lines administration role and then progress into more technical roles with subsequent training and completion of professional insurance qualifications. These roles require a background in administration and strong attention to detail.

Within insurance brokerages, there are two broad career paths: Personal Lines and Commercial Lines. Personal Lines deals with new and existing customer personal insurance needs, such as motor, home, van, farm, marine, and health insurance. Commercial Lines deals with new and existing commercial customer business needs, such as commercial property, motor trade, professional indemnity, public liability, cyber, and other technical commercial products.

There are varying types of roles within Personal Lines, including Product Specialist, Team Leader, Branch Manager, and Operations Manager. Commercial Lines roles include Commercial Account Administrator, Commercial Account Handler, Commercial Account Manager, Commercial New Business Executive, Claims Executive, Operations Manager, and Business Development Manager.

Frequently asked questions