Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Working Life

Insurance brokers are independent insurance professionals who act as a link between insurance companies and their customers, the insurance buyer.

Brokers use their vast experience to assess their client’s risk profile. Equipped with the customer’s insurance requirements, the broker then finds the best insurance company products to fit their customer’s needs and budget.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Customise insurance programmes to suit individual customers, often covering a variety of risks.
• Sell various types of insurance policies to businesses and individuals on behalf of insurance companies, including automobile, fire, life, property, medical and dental insurance, or specialised policies, such as marine, farm/crop, and medical malpractice.
• Explain features, advantages, and disadvantages of various policies to promote sale of insurance plans.
• Perform administrative tasks, such as maintaining records and handling policy renewals.
• Seek out new clients and develop clientele by networking to find new customers and generate lists of prospective clients.
• Call on policyholders to deliver and explain policy, to analyse insurance program and suggest additions or changes, or to change beneficiaries.
• Confer with clients to obtain and provide information when claims are made on a policy.
• Interview prospective clients to obtain data about their financial resources and needs, the physical condition of the person or property to be insured, and to discuss any existing coverage.
• Contact underwriter and submit forms to obtain binder coverage.
• Select company that offers type of coverage requested by client to underwrite policy.

Further Information

• Insurance Broker- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Insurance broker, sales- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

There are many pathways to develop a career in Insurance.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business admin, customer service, accounting technician, supervisory management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business administration, financial services, accounting and insurance, banking, insurance, financial services, business, e-business.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples:  Insurance Apprenticeship.

Search for Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship Entry requirements

Irish Leaving Certificate exams. However, students may also satisfy the entry requirements by having FETAC qualifications, by being a mature student or having other qualifications, such as GCEAS, A2, AVCE, Double Award, BTEC, etc.

• A minimum of 4 grades 4o6/H7 and 2 grade H5 or higher Leaving Certificate subjects.
• Leaving Certificate subjects must include Mathematics and English or Irish.
• With English or Irish with O6/H7 and Mathematics with F2/o6/H7.
• A minimum of 160 points is required for entry to all Level 8 courses.

The minimum entry requirements for graduates of FET NFQ courses (Level 5 or 6) awards to an Honours Degree Course (NFQ Level 8) is a full cognate NFQ (Level 5 or 6) award to include distinction grades in at least three components.

For entry to the majority of courses a full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases it is the responsibility of the applicant to apply to FETAC for a full award. However, for entry to certain courses an award achieved in a single sitting may be required.

Mature applicants (defined as those who are over 23 on 1 January of the year of entry) do not require the above minimum entry requirements and acceptance will be based on experiential learning, commitment to course objectives and an interview.

Insurance brokers may study for the professional examinations of the Chartered Insurance Institute or the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters.

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: risk management, insurance, business studies administration, economics, statistics, computing, law.

Employers also recruit graduates from a wide range of academic subjects. A degree from a variety of disciplines is acceptable though risk management, insurance or subjects with insurance or financial options are preferred. Business Studies Administration, Economics, Statistics, Computing and law can provide useful background knowledge.

Search for CAO Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

If you want to progress into management it is usually necessary to pass the Associateship examination of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

The CII also offers training leading to an Insurance Foundation Certificate a Diploma of Insurance Practice and an Advanced Diploma in Insurance. The representative body for the CII in Ireland is The Insurance Institute of Ireland which also offers additional Irish law and practice focused programs alongside the Associateship.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €90k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role [client or comercial].

Data Source(s):
Lincoln/ Brightwater / CPL / Sigmar/ Morgan McKinley/ Osborne/ Abrivia

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Brokers; Insurance underwriters; Finance and investment analysts; Finance and investment advisers.  

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels have grown annually since 2018, with particularly strong growth between 2021 and 2022 of an additional 5,500 persons. Almost all employment is concentrated in the financial activities sector. The share of non-Irish citizens employed, at 23%, was above the national average of 19% and was the highest share across the business/financial occupations.

The CSO Census data for 2022 shows that finance and investment analysts/advisers account for the largest share of employment in this group at over 70%, with insurance underwriters and brokers making up the remainder. Employment permits issued primarily related to various financial analyst roles in the financial sector. Although employment grew strongly in 2022, a 20% fall in online job adverts (particularly for finance/investment analysts) would signal that this growth rate may slow.

• Insurance Institute of Ireland

  • Insurance Centre, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01 E7E8
  • (01) 645 6600
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Insurance Ireland

  • Insurance Centre, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01 E7E8
  • (01) 676 1820
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• LIA

  • LIA House, 183 Kimmage Road West, Dublin 12
  • 01 - 456 3890
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here