Insurance Risk Surveyor
Job Description:Insurance risk surveyors carry out surveys of items that need to be insured.
Job Category:What you will do:
In your day-to-day duties you could:
- carry out commercial and personal surveys
- check building plans and fire protection systems
- prepare risk reports and recommendations for underwriters
- advise clients on how to reduce the risk of future insurance claims
- work closely with health and safety inspectors and fire officers
- monitor the work of the risk control team
- keep up to date with technical issues affecting risk, like hazardous materials
Skills:
You’ll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of economics and accounting
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
- excellent verbal communication skills
- excellent written communication skills
Entry Requirements:
To become an Insurance Risk Surveyor, specific GCSE (or equivalent) subjects are not typically required. However, having a strong educational foundation in certain subjects can be beneficial for developing the skills and knowledge necessary for this career. Insurance Risk Surveyors assess and analyse risks associated with insurance policies, particularly in areas like property, liability, and underwriting.
While specific subjects are not mandatory, here are some subjects that can be helpful:
- Mathematics: Strong mathematical skills are crucial for conducting risk assessments, calculating probabilities, and analysing data related to insurance risks.
- Science (Physics or Chemistry): Understanding scientific principles, especially those related to properties, materials, and hazards, can be beneficial when assessing risks in areas such as property insurance.
- Geography (optional): Geography courses can be relevant for understanding geographic and environmental factors that affect insurance risks, such as natural disasters.
- English Language: Effective communication skills, including written and verbal communication, are essential for documenting risk assessments and reports, as well as for interacting with clients and insurance companies.
- Business Studies or Economics (optional): Courses related to business principles and economics can provide a foundational understanding of insurance industry operations and financial concepts.
- ICT (Information and Communication Technology): Proficiency in using computer software for data analysis, documentation, and communication can be valuable for conducting risk assessments.
Post School
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- a graduate training scheme
University
You could get a degree before applying to join an organisation’s management training scheme. Most subjects are accepted but you may have an advantage if you study:
- actuarial science
- building surveying
- business and management
- economics
- engineering
Apprenticeship
You could complete a senior insurance professional degree apprenticeship.
This typically takes about 36 months to complete.
Work
You could start working as an administrator for a risk team to build up your skills and knowledge.
Your employer may give you the chance to take industry qualifications so you can apply for promotion to risk surveyor when you’ve got more experience.
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs if you’ve got relevant qualifications and experience in a related profession like building surveying, health and safety, engineering or fire safety.
Other Routes
Some of the large insurance companies run graduate training schemes. You’ll usually need an upper second class degree in any subject to apply.
Working Hours and Environment:
Typically you could work 37 to 39 hours a week.
You could work in an office or visit sites.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you’ll travel often.
Career Path & Progression:
You could become a senior surveyor, head of a risk management department, or lead a compliance and governance unit.
You could also move into insurance loss adjusting or set up your own consultancy.