Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   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.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   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.

Working Life

Technical Underwriters evaluate risks and decide whether to provide insurance cover for these risks and on what basis.

Techncial underwriters gain as much material information as possible about the risks they need to insure. They do this through fact-finding, including having customers complete proposal forms, carrying out risk assessments, knowledge gained of similar trades and businesses and studying any past claims/incidents. They then price the risk using knowledge of the business, company rate guides or actuarial support and then they decide on policy wordings including terms and conditions.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Examine documents to determine degree of risk from factors such as applicant health, financial standing and value, and condition of property.
• Decline excessive risks.
• Write to field representatives, medical personnel, or others to obtain further information, quote rates, or explain company underwriting policies.
• Evaluate possibility of losses due to catastrophe or excessive insurance.
• Review company records to determine amount of insurance in force on single risk or group of closely related risks.
• Decrease value of policy when risk is substandard and specify applicable endorsements or apply rating to ensure safe, profitable distribution of risks, using reference materials.
• Authorise reinsurance of policy when risk is high.

Further Information

• Insurance Technician- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Insurance Underwriter- 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.

 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.

 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.

Career progression in this job role includes Senior Underwriter and Head of Underwriting.

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

Employers also recruit graduates from a wide range of academic subjects. A degree many 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.

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, office admin, 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, pre-apprenticeship, banking, insurance, financial services, business with insurance, e-business studies with banking and insurance.

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.

Search for Apprenticeships

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: business studies administration, economics, statistics, computing, law.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: insurance, data scientists, risk management.

Search for Postgraduate 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)* €35k - €80k

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

Data Source(s):
CPL / Morgan McKinley / Sigmar/ Lincoln/ Indeed/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 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 Ireland

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

• Insurance Institute of Ireland

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

• LIA

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