Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• 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.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

The Work

A Claims Handler investigates insurance claims to assess their extent and validity and to determine a fair payout to the insurance consumer, while keeping an eye out for the possibility of fraudulent claims.

The Claims Handler liaises with various parties – assessors, Gardaí, garages, other insurance companies – to achieve a quick and fair outcome for the customer.

Insurance provides a service to customers who wish to be protected from loss caused by events such as fire, theft, accident or illness. The customer pays a regular premium and receives a written policy that sets out the conditions under which an insurance company pays compensation.  
 
Claims are submitted as a result of personal accident, loss of goods in transit, theft, loss of profits, fire, flood and storm damage. Large scale disasters such as floods generate a huge number of claims, all requiring prompt attention. Some insurance firms and loss adjusters specialise in a particular type of insurance such as aviation, motor or marine.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare insurance claim forms or related documents, and review them for completeness.
• Calculate amount of claim.
• Post or attach information to claim file.
• Transmit claims for payment or further investigation.
• Contact insured or other involved persons to obtain missing information.
• Review insurance policy to determine coverage.
• Process and record new insurance policies and claims.
• Organise or work with detailed office or warehouse records, using computers to enter, access, search or retrieve data.
• Provide customer service, such as limited instructions on proceeding with claims or referrals to auto repair facilities or local contractors.
• Correspond with insured or agent to obtain information or to inform them of account status or changes.

Further Information

• Insurance Claims Handler / Investigator - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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

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.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Career progression in this job role is sometimes from Trainee Claims Handler, to Claims Team Leader, Claims Manager, and Claims Director. Though you may progress from other training & development pathways. 

Insurance claims handlers may study for the professional examinations of the Chartered Insurance Institute or the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters in their own time while working. Degree courses in insurance studies available throughout Ireland and some business studies degree courses offer options in insurance.  

Training & Development pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Management in centres around Ireland at NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business Banking & Insurance, Financial services & Insurance, E-Business & insurance, and Accounting & Insurance at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Insurance, Accounting, Finance, Sales Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business/ International Busienss, Commerce, Economics, Maths & Statistics, Accounts & Finance NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Accounts, Management, Financial advice, Data & Insurance, Risk management & Insurance NFQ level 9

For those who wish to progress into management roles, 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 and a Diploma of Insurance Practice. The representative body for the CII in Ireland is The Insurance Institute of Ireland which also offers additional Irish law and practice focussed programs alongside their Associateship & Apprenticeship.

International Financial Services Skillnet Network 

Financial Services Union

The 30% club: Growth Through Diversity 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €80k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Insurance Ireland / Brightwater/ Sigmar / Lincoln/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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