A lot of candidates avoid the insurance industry because they think that insurance work is all cold call sales and 1099 straight commission jobs.  While there are some pay structures in the industry that are like that, the client support side of insurance offers W2 full time salaried positions with good benefits packages, bonus plans, and opportunities for quick career progression. 

Why go into insurance?

The insurance industry has many senior level staff that are fast approaching retirement age. There is a huge void in the market and there are very few junior level client service people waiting in line to take their place.  These two factors make the insurance industry a fantastic long-term career choice.  Best of all, insurance is recession proof.  Even during the pandemic, individuals and businesses still had to pay their monthly premiums. Insurance is a lot like toilet paper, you just have to have it!

What kind of prior work experience or education is needed?

When you ask people how they got into insurance, most tell you they just sort of “fell into it”.  There is no “one size fits all” recipe, insurance people come from all sorts of different professions or sometimes right out of high school or college. Best of all you can obtain your insurance license in just 2 to 3 weeks for under $400! No one starts out knowing insurance, but there are a few key skills you need to have to help you land your first insurance role. 

Strong written and verbal communication skills:

Effective communication lies at the heart of the insurance industry. Insurance professionals must possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills to understand and communicate complex policies terms and build lasting relationships with clients. The majority of insurance client service is done over email and on the phone.  You need a clear professional speaking voice, the ability to write an email in a clear and concise manner, good listening skills, empathy, and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers. 

Analytical and problem-solving abilities:

Insurance client service professionals are often tasked with evaluating risks, assessing data, and making informed decisions. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial skills to help you understand policy coverage, evaluate client needs, and create tailored insurance solutions. Critical thinking and the ability to solve problems and exercise sound judgment are the building blocks for career advancement as an insurance client service professional. 

Adaptability and resilience:

The insurance industry is constantly evolving, shaped by economic changes, emerging technologies, and increasing risks due to climate change, cyber threats, and natural disasters. To be successful as a client service professional, you have to be adaptable and resilient. It is a fast-paced role where you have to juggle multiple priorities and tasks from team managers, coworkers, insurance carriers, and company salespeople.  You have to be able to bounce back quickly and not take things personally.  You need to be able to learn new complex information quickly, take lots of notes, and be coachable.

Accuracy and attention to detail:

You will be entering data into the insurance company’s client management system on a daily basis and it must be error free.  Your work will be visible to the entire team, so accuracy, spelling, and attention to small details are extremely important. 

Working with a sense of urgency and strong follow-up skills:

Insurance client service work is full of policy deadlines and requirements for timely information. You will be working with renewal dates that you can’t miss without causing severe problems for your company and customers. You must be diligent with following up with customers, internal departments, and others outside of your firm.  You need to own your work product and always act with a sense of urgency to meet deadlines.

A strong foundation in these key areas will not only help you land your first insurance client service role, but also pave the way for professional growth and career advancement in this dynamic industry. 

Do you have what it takes? Contact me and let’s get your insurance journey started!