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Insurance broker

Alternative titles for this job include Insurance agent

Insurance brokers use their knowledge of the insurance market to help find the right cover, at the best price, for their customers.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40

You could work

weekends occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards the role

University

You can take a degree before applying for a place on an insurance company's graduate training scheme. Useful subjects include:

  • business studies
  • finance
  • surveying
  • engineering
  • law

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

Your university careers service will be able to help you with this.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an insurance firm or company that provides brokerage services, such as:

  • Insurance Practitioner Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Insurance Professional Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Senior Insurance Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

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

More Information

Work

You could start as an insurance trainee or junior account handler and become a broker through workplace training and promotion.

Employers will usually look for a minimum of GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, and A levels. IT skills are also important.

Experience in customer care, finance or sales could be helpful, though not essential.

Once working, you could take qualifications offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), such as:

  • Certificate in Insurance - for trainee brokers
  • Diploma in Insurance
  • Advanced Diploma in Insurance

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Chartered Insurance Institute or British Insurance Brokers' Association for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute and British Insurance Brokers' Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • knowledge of financial services
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • administration skills
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an insurance broker, you could:

  • gather information from clients to assess their insurance needs and risk
  • research insurance policies
  • arrange insurance cover for clients
  • negotiate the best policy terms with insurers
  • renew or adjust existing policies
  • make sure paperwork meets all legal requirements
  • follow up on leads and generate new business
  • advise customers who are making a claim
  • prepare documents and keep client records up to date
  • create case reports for insurance underwriters and risk surveyors

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into account handling or a business development role.

You could also specialise in a particular area, like property, commercial or motor insurance.

You could progress into management or move into other types of insurance work, like loss adjusting, underwriting or compliance.

You might also set up your brokerage business or work as a freelance consultant.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Markel International Cyber Underwriting Apprenticeship

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Fenchurch Street, London

Markel International Equine Claims Apprenticeship

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Fenchurch Street, London

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming an insurance broker?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

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