Insurance Policy Processing Clerk Job Description, Career as a Insurance Policy Processing Clerk, Salary, Employment

Education and Training Bachelor’s degree

Average Salary $34,000 per year

Job Outlook Good

Basic Job Description

Insurance policy processing clerks work under insurance agents to perform a variety of tasks and keep paperwork regularly updated. They review and process insurance applications, make changes to a customer’s insurance information or terms, cancel insurance policies, compile records and data for lapsed or past due policies, and a variety of other tasks as requested by insurance agents. It is the insurance clerk’s responsibility to make sure information is correct and up to date. They will also contact insurance owners regarding past due policies or policies with insufficient information to gather it and update their records.

Education and Training Requirements

There is no specific degree for someone who wants to work as an insurance policy processing clerk, but many go to school to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or a related field. Most insurance companies prefer to hire someone who has worked as a clerk or held a secretarial position for a company or who has relevant educational experience.

Insurance policy processing clerks will often start off working an administrative or receptionist position for an insurance company. They will start off answering phones, filing and organizing mail and paperwork, and greeting and assisting customers. This will give them an idea of how an insurance agency is run and the types of paperwork and people they will be dealing with. From there, they can move on to working as a processing clerk once they have experience and understanding how the office works.

Getting the Job

Insurance policy processing clerks must have excellent customer and personal service skills. They will have to call customers regarding their policies, so proper phone etiquette is a must. They must meet quality expectations and standards regarding customer service and will often be evaluated by customers regarding their opinion on their customer service.

Insurance clerks must also have exceptional clerical and administrative skills. They will spend a lot of their time processing documents and typing up forms and documentation for insurance policies. Clerks also keep files of paperwork and policies, so excellent organizational skills are a must. They are also in charge of keeping files and records up to date regarding information relevant to insurance policies, so clerks must have good computer and word processing skills.

Insurance policy processing clerks should also have a basic understanding of insurance policies that are given out by the specific insurance agency they work with. Most insurance companies will provide training and information tools to all employees to give them an understanding of policy procedures and practices.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Job in the insurance field are not expected to grow over the next several years. Insurance companies and customers are relying more on internet programs to help determine policies that are best for a persons’ needs. Insurance companies will still need clerks to keep the office organized and manage customer information. Most insurance clerks would further their education and training to become an agent, but the decreased need for agents has caused agents to be less likely to find a job working in that position. Insurance policy processing clerks are more likely to advance their career to the position of an agent if they work for an agency that has an agent quit or retire. They may then have the opportunity to advance their training and certifications to become an agent for the company since they are already familiar with their practices.

Some clerks will come to realize over time that they enjoy working for specific types of insurance agencies. Some will start off working for an agency that sells homeowners insurance, and advance their career by working as a clerk for larger agencies or continuing their education to work in other departments within the housing market. Once someone gains experience working for these types of companies, there are many paths they can take by utilizing their experience and continuing their education.

There is expected to be a rise in retiring insurance agents over the next several years, so despite the fact that the field is not in high demand, this will give insurance processing clerks the opportunity to advance their career to the position of an agent. Some customers still prefer to meet with an agent as opposed to creating a policy online.

Working Conditions and Environment

Insurance policy processing clerks spend most of their time working in an office. They assist agents by printing, faxing, and filing paperwork, typing up formal documents, contacting insurance owners regarding payments or other account changes, and updating software and information regarding insurance policies.

Insurance policy processing clerks usually work a set number of hours during the week, depending on the hours of operation of their agency. Occasionally they will work overtime if the office experiences a busy season or if they are making big changes with software or insurance paperwork, but working evenings and weekends is rare for an insurance clerk.

Insurance policy processing clerks should be able to handle a high-stress environment if they have a large number of customers to deal with or if agents are experiencing a heavy workload and need extra assistance. They need to be accurate despite the fact that they may have less time to complete paperwork, and be able to work just as efficiently under pressure.

Salary and Benefits

The average salary for an insurance policy processing clerk is about $34,000 per year. Salaries for clerks can vary according to the number of years they have worked in the field and the size of the insurance company they work for.

Insurance policy processing clerks usually receive health insurance benefits, vacation time and sick leave allowance from their employers. Specific benefits vary according to agency, but many will also receive discounts on insurance offered by the company as additional compensation for their work.

Where to Go for More Information

Insurance Educational Association
2670 North Main Street, Suite 350
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(800) 655-4432
http://www.ieatraining.com

American Insurance Association
2101 L Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 828-7100
http://www.aiadc.org

National Association of Insurance Commissioners
2301 McGee Street, Suite 800
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 842-3600
http://www.naic.org