Job Description

Insurance underwriters decide whether to insure a person or company, and set out the details of insurance policies.  They analyses the risk associated with a potential client to decide whether they should be accepted, and if so on what terms and at what price.

Entry Requirements

You could get into this job through:

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an advanced apprenticeship in providing financial services insurance or an insurance practitioner advanced apprenticeship.

You could also take an insurance professional higher apprenticeship, depending on your background and qualifications.

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

You could take a degree before applying for a place on an insurance company's graduate training scheme. Relevant degrees include:

• business studies
• finance
• economics
• maths

It'll help to get some relevant work experience whilst you're studying, for example through an internship.

You'll usually need 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree.

Click here to search for a suitable course.

Other Routes

You could apply to join a company's graduate training scheme if you've got a degree. Most subjects are accepted though you may have an advantage if you've studied business, maths or economics.

Work

You may be able to join an insurance company as a junior underwriter and work your way up by doing qualifications on the job, like those offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Employers set their own entry requirements, but it'll help if you have GCSEs in English and maths, 1 or 2 A levels, and know how to use common office software, including spreadsheets.

Career Path and Progression

With experience, you could deal with more complex risks.

You could also move into management or apply for related jobs like risk management, loss adjusting and claims management.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Actuary
• Insurance account manager
• Insurance broker
• Insurance claims handler
• Insurance loss adjuster

Required Skills

• confidence in decision making
• ability to work to deadlines
• good customer service skills
• strong written and verbal communication skills
• self motivation
• good negotiation skills
• statistical and mathematics abilities 

Salary Range

£15,000 to £100,000