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Insurance risk surveyor

Alternative titles for this job include Risk consultants, risk control surveyors, risk control advisers

Insurance risk surveyors advise clients about the potential risks to them or their business, and how to minimise them to get the right level of cover.

Average salary (a year)

£28,000 Starter

to

£70,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42

You could work

between 8am and 6pm away from home

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 this role
  • applying directly

University

You can study for a degree before applying to join an organisation's graduate training scheme. 

Useful subjects include:

  • actuarial science
  • maths
  • finance
  • business and management
  • building surveying
  • engineering

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship with an insurance firm, such as:

  • Insurance Professional Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Senior Insurance Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These take between 2 and 3 years to complete and combine workplace training and study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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 working as an administrator for a risk management team to build up your skills and knowledge.

Employers will usually look for a minimum of GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, 1 or 2 A levels, and good IT skills.

Once working, you could take qualifications that include units on risk management, like those offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). For example:

  • Certificate in Insurance
  • Diploma in Insurance
  • Advanced Diploma in Insurance

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant qualifications and experience in a related profession, like:

  • building or quantity surveying
  • health and safety
  • insurance underwriting or loss adjusting
  • fire safety engineering

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Chartered Insurance Institute for professional development opportunities and to build up your contacts in the industry.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute.

What it takes

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • 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 risk surveyor, you could:

  • carry out risk assessments on individuals and businesses
  • check building plans and fire protection systems
  • analyse data to work out risk levels
  • 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 building control officers
  • lead the work of the risk control team
  • make sure all legal requirements are met
  • keep up to date with emerging risks, like cyber attacks and environmental issues

Working environment

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 and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could become a senior risk surveyor, head of a risk management department, or lead a compliance and governance unit.

You could also set up your own risk management company and work as a consultant.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Aon Apprenticeship Programme - Commercial Risk and Reinsurance Broking 2026

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: 49-51 Belgrave Street, Reading

Aon Apprenticeship Programme - Commercial Risk and Reinsurance Broking 2026

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: London, England

Courses In England

Business Administration

  • Provider: CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Bristol

Certificate in Business Administration

  • Provider: TRINITY ACADEMY NEWCASTLE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

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