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Describe your overall experience working in insurance. Is there anything in particular you think it super rewarding working in this field?
#insurance #entrepreneur #business
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21 answers
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Chelsie’s Answer
Hi Scarlett!
I work in the insurance industry and if you told me when I was in high school, or even in college that I would work for a large insurance carrier I would have laughed and said no way, definitely not! I am so incredibly glad I happened upon my first job out of college at an insurance carrier, it is so much more rewarding and fulfilling that I ever imagined it would be.
My first job after earning my degree was as an Auto Claims Adjuster, I figured I would do that until I found a job I really wanted. What I learned during the first year of my job in a big insurance company was that there was SO many jobs you could do and there was SO much room for growth potential. I got involved in some local groups at work and started building my network and learning about the different departments and roles. I looked at internal job postings and saved the ones I thought sounded interesting and started using their requirements lists to work on my development. I went from Auto claims, to Property Claims, to call center management to where I am now, Underwriting which I really love. I never in a million years would have thought when I was in college that one day I would hold the title of Small Commercial Underwriter, but here I am, and I have so many options ahead of me and avenues I can go within my career becuase of my background and finding myself.
Now I am working on my CPCU Designation to get my specialization which is looked at in my industry like a Masters in Underwriting and will help me meet my career goals moving forward. Unfortunately I am still digging out of a pile of un-necessary debt from my unknown years, and if I could do it over I would have just gotten a business degree from a state school and when I found my passion got my masters in something related and that is relevant to my job like I am doing now with my CPCU.
What is even crazier that I have seen is many of my friends from high school and college changing career paths completely 10 years after graduation and starting in the insurance industry where I started 10 years ago and am miles ahead becuase of my choice to be somewhat practical when I applied to jobs as a fresh college grad. The benefits and job security/stability are such peace of mind.
Hope this helps!
I work in the insurance industry and if you told me when I was in high school, or even in college that I would work for a large insurance carrier I would have laughed and said no way, definitely not! I am so incredibly glad I happened upon my first job out of college at an insurance carrier, it is so much more rewarding and fulfilling that I ever imagined it would be.
My first job after earning my degree was as an Auto Claims Adjuster, I figured I would do that until I found a job I really wanted. What I learned during the first year of my job in a big insurance company was that there was SO many jobs you could do and there was SO much room for growth potential. I got involved in some local groups at work and started building my network and learning about the different departments and roles. I looked at internal job postings and saved the ones I thought sounded interesting and started using their requirements lists to work on my development. I went from Auto claims, to Property Claims, to call center management to where I am now, Underwriting which I really love. I never in a million years would have thought when I was in college that one day I would hold the title of Small Commercial Underwriter, but here I am, and I have so many options ahead of me and avenues I can go within my career becuase of my background and finding myself.
Now I am working on my CPCU Designation to get my specialization which is looked at in my industry like a Masters in Underwriting and will help me meet my career goals moving forward. Unfortunately I am still digging out of a pile of un-necessary debt from my unknown years, and if I could do it over I would have just gotten a business degree from a state school and when I found my passion got my masters in something related and that is relevant to my job like I am doing now with my CPCU.
What is even crazier that I have seen is many of my friends from high school and college changing career paths completely 10 years after graduation and starting in the insurance industry where I started 10 years ago and am miles ahead becuase of my choice to be somewhat practical when I applied to jobs as a fresh college grad. The benefits and job security/stability are such peace of mind.
Hope this helps!
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Jodi’s Answer
Hi! I have worked in the health insurance industry since I was 18 years old. At first, I just viewed it as a job to help pay the bills while I was in college part time. I started off in a call center setting and actually really enjoyed it. I liked being able to help people by answering questions and resolving any problems they were experiencing. I ended up moving up to different positions within the company. I enjoyed it so much that when I graduated college I still kept my part time job while working full time the profession I actually went to college for, which is teaching. Eventually, I decided that progressing my career in the health insurance industry was going to work out better for me and my family, so I went full time and have been working in the industry full time ever since. I have now become a full time remote worker at a fantastic company that understands I have 3 small children and allows me the flexibility to still be with them for all school events while continuing to be devoted to my job. Overall, I highly recommend working in the insurance industry.
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Ibraheem’s Answer
Hi Scarlett,
After I graduated from College, I started working in Insurance and I thought it would be a placeholder for me until I get a job in an Accounting Firm. However, once I got here and learned that there was so many options within the industry, I have been here for 10 years. I have been with 3 different companies and I learned something valuable from each one. There is so many things you can do in this space: Accounting, Underwriting, Claims, HR, Tech, Risk Management, Actuary, Marketing, and Audit. You can either work for a Carrier or join an Agency and become a Broker.
My personal overall experience has been rewarding. I have built so many relationships and learned so much along the way.
There isn’t technically a major for this in College, so you get to work with people with different education backgrounds that bring them here.
Good luck to everyone trying to enter this industry!
After I graduated from College, I started working in Insurance and I thought it would be a placeholder for me until I get a job in an Accounting Firm. However, once I got here and learned that there was so many options within the industry, I have been here for 10 years. I have been with 3 different companies and I learned something valuable from each one. There is so many things you can do in this space: Accounting, Underwriting, Claims, HR, Tech, Risk Management, Actuary, Marketing, and Audit. You can either work for a Carrier or join an Agency and become a Broker.
My personal overall experience has been rewarding. I have built so many relationships and learned so much along the way.
There isn’t technically a major for this in College, so you get to work with people with different education backgrounds that bring them here.
Good luck to everyone trying to enter this industry!
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Marica’s Answer
For me, the insurance industry has been extremely rewarding! It has the perfect balance of relationship building and technical underwriting skills. I've spent the majority of my 25+ years on the carrier side working both as a generalist and a specialist in Work Comp. The great thing about the insurance industry is that there are so many types of careers to choose from. You could go from underwriting, marketing, actuary and on the agency side there is producing or account management. For me, it's all about the relationships I build with my agencies, helping our insureds when they are hurt and working closely with my internal team. Good Luck!
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Matt’s Answer
Hi Scarlett,
I've spent several years at a large Insurance carrier handling auto claims. Interacting with customers can be challenging, but also very rewarding. Our customers don't call us when they're having a good day. They call us when they're in need- after their lives are disrupted by a motor vehicle accident/damage to their home/accident at work/slip and fall etc. It's a great feeling when you can support customers through their challenging times and sense the relief on the other side of the phone. An insurance policy is the sale of a promise: to be there for our customers when they need us.
In general, a career in Insurance can be very satisfying. Mastering the skills required in a front line claim handling role (problem solving, critical thinking, communication, empathy) opens the door to many opportunities and career advancement. In my 8 years in Insurance, I've experienced 4 promotions as well as being able to participate in many projects outside of my regular job descriptions.
I've spent several years at a large Insurance carrier handling auto claims. Interacting with customers can be challenging, but also very rewarding. Our customers don't call us when they're having a good day. They call us when they're in need- after their lives are disrupted by a motor vehicle accident/damage to their home/accident at work/slip and fall etc. It's a great feeling when you can support customers through their challenging times and sense the relief on the other side of the phone. An insurance policy is the sale of a promise: to be there for our customers when they need us.
In general, a career in Insurance can be very satisfying. Mastering the skills required in a front line claim handling role (problem solving, critical thinking, communication, empathy) opens the door to many opportunities and career advancement. In my 8 years in Insurance, I've experienced 4 promotions as well as being able to participate in many projects outside of my regular job descriptions.
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Michael’s Answer
Insurance is a very broad category of industry sectors with an even broader span of career choices. I have worked in the insurance field for 30 years at a number of life insurance, retirement insurance, medical insurance, and property casualty insurance companies. You can choose to work on the insurance carrier side or in sales and distribution for an insurance agency or broker. The career paths that are insurance-specific include being an agent, an actuary, and underwriter, or a claims professional. There is also nearly every other type of more general role such as marketing, finance, information technology, etc. and these roles are typically tailored for a specific sector of insurance. One of the greatest and most rewarding aspects of working in the insurance field is that it is an altruistic industry that focuses on helping people. Insurance is key to individuals getting the medical care they need, getting their cars and homes repaired or replaced in the case of an accident, having a guaranteed income for retirement, and leaving their family with a nest egg upon death. It is one of the few industries where you can truly make a difference in peoples' lives.
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Mike’s Answer
Hi Scarlett - I've worked in the insurance industry for about 15 years now and there are several rewarding aspects to this profession. I began my career as a broker on the property/casualty side. Without sounding too cliche, it's very fulfilling to be the expert for your clients when they are in need. Insurance is one of those things that nobody likes or wants to think about it until they really need it. And whether it's an auto accident, unexpected property loss or scary workers compensation claims...these are all at the very least large inconveniences and/or disruptors to your customers' businesses, but potentially much worse in terms of potential threats to their operations/livelihoods or even major injuries or deaths to their employees. Equipping your customer's with the right knowledge/tools/coverage along with being there to help when a loss occurs is a very rewarding experience.
I currently work on the underwriting side for a large workers compensation insurance company that focuses on large operations that have strong severity loss potential (Construction/Transportation/Energy/Agribusiness). Similar to the above, being part of the company that responds to injured employees and working with our customers through these crisis type situations are is very fulfilling. We help bring injured employees back to work and also our loss control team works with our customers to help improve their safety programs and prevent injuries in the first place.
Again, insurance isn't regarded as one of the most exciting professions, but it really can be a fulfilling career.
I currently work on the underwriting side for a large workers compensation insurance company that focuses on large operations that have strong severity loss potential (Construction/Transportation/Energy/Agribusiness). Similar to the above, being part of the company that responds to injured employees and working with our customers through these crisis type situations are is very fulfilling. We help bring injured employees back to work and also our loss control team works with our customers to help improve their safety programs and prevent injuries in the first place.
Again, insurance isn't regarded as one of the most exciting professions, but it really can be a fulfilling career.
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Kristanya’s Answer
We are answering this question as a group from CNA Insurance (Specialty Lines, Management Liability)--
Hello,
Our overall experience working in insurance is overwhelmingly positive. Generally speaking, it is a very welcoming industry where people are collaborative and you will be exposed to people with diverse backgrounds. We work in a specialty area of insurance known as Management Liability which focuses on providing insurance that protects the company’s management and board of directors from lawsuits. It is not an area of insurance that many outside the industry are familiar with but is an area where you can integrate many different aspects of personal knowledge through media or interest into your work product.
We find it rewarding to be able to constantly learn and grow as the world evolves and apply what we learn about real time to our job. There is rarely a business headline that we see that doesn’t directly impact the companies we insure. There is also an aspect of insurance in which you develop relationships with your peers and business partners and also learn from each other. Being able to ask tough questions of senior executives is empowering and educational.
Being in insurance, there are a lot of different career paths and you are able to pivot into if you try a line of business that doesn't jive with your interest: Underwriting, Claims, Actuarial, Accounting, Finance, Investments, Operations. In most areas, you can achieve a healthy balance between your career and your personal life as well.
It is also rewarding in a sense that our business is to fulfill a promise to make a person/company whole after a financial loss, which helps companies take risks to create a product or service that can make the world better or more efficient
Best of luck! - CNA Insurance Public and Large Private Management Liability
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Donna’s Answer
Dear Scarlett,
We answered your question as a team. We have had a positive experience in the Insurance industry. Here are some of the most rewarding aspects of working in Insurance:
- Interacting with a variety of people
- learning about so many different industries
- Within the insurance organization we are able to learn about other Insurance products outside of our own business unit.
- Even when working on the same type of account - as underwriters, we are always looking for nuances
- You can connect to what you're doing in your work - ie - consumer goods products - view a company that you know in a different way - rewarding personally and professionally. you can really connect with the work - everyone has passion - and it makes you want to be passionate as well.
- In Insurance, you can move around within an organization. There is room for professional growth.
- Insurance provides a well rounded understanding of businesses and their insurance needs
- From the underwriting technician role, a career in Insurance has enabled me to understand insurance from the ground up - back office - always learning - always space to grow and learn something new.
Insurance is a great industry for those who want to continuously learn!
We answered your question as a team. We have had a positive experience in the Insurance industry. Here are some of the most rewarding aspects of working in Insurance:
- Interacting with a variety of people
- learning about so many different industries
- Within the insurance organization we are able to learn about other Insurance products outside of our own business unit.
- Even when working on the same type of account - as underwriters, we are always looking for nuances
- You can connect to what you're doing in your work - ie - consumer goods products - view a company that you know in a different way - rewarding personally and professionally. you can really connect with the work - everyone has passion - and it makes you want to be passionate as well.
- In Insurance, you can move around within an organization. There is room for professional growth.
- Insurance provides a well rounded understanding of businesses and their insurance needs
- From the underwriting technician role, a career in Insurance has enabled me to understand insurance from the ground up - back office - always learning - always space to grow and learn something new.
Insurance is a great industry for those who want to continuously learn!
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Jennifer’s Answer
I've been in the insurance industry for over 30 years and have found that the greatest benefit is the diversity in roles and opportunities that exist. For example, my career includes everything from operations to relationship management to business analyst to underwriter! I've worked for a small start up and for the largest global professional services firm in the industry. There is a great deal to learn and experience so you can always be challenged if that is what you desire. It is also a very small industry which means it's important to network and maintain a reputation of respect since the person that works for you today may be your boss, client, or business partner tomorrow. Good luck!
That is so true too, you never know when you will circle back with someone or have someone working under you become your boss in the future!
Chelsie Lorenzo
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Keana’s Answer
Hello, great question. I work for a major health insurance provider. My team develops the annual documents for members benefits. I love knowing that we are solely responsible for making sure the member benefit details are communicated properly. Our team has to have eyes to catch the details many may nit recognize and make edits to ensure these documents are 100% accurate.
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Marlissa’s Answer
Hi Scarlett - I have worked for a health insurance company for 10+ years, originally supporting the commercial population, Medicare Advantage now for 6 years. Prior to that I worked with a pharmacy benefit manager who supported various Medicaid and Commercial plans.
Most believe the differences are vast between a Commercial vs Federally regulated member (Medicare/Medicaid) but there are no differences, as each person wants to be valued.
The main reason I get up and do my job everyday is the individual members. I want to ensure the experience is the best it can possibly be for each member, and each member that I personally speak with understands that they are valued by me.
Most believe the differences are vast between a Commercial vs Federally regulated member (Medicare/Medicaid) but there are no differences, as each person wants to be valued.
The main reason I get up and do my job everyday is the individual members. I want to ensure the experience is the best it can possibly be for each member, and each member that I personally speak with understands that they are valued by me.
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Rick’s Answer
I started in insurance over 30 years ago and it has been so rewarding because you get to help people such as those who have suffered a loss, or business owners that are trying to prevent losses. I began as an entry level trainee and a commercial multi-line claim adjuster. I am now a vice president. I took advantage of numerous training opportunities and earned several professional designation such as Associate in Claims and CPCU. There are a wide variety of jobs and I have been in claims, underwriting and loss control at different points in my career.
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GABE’s Answer
Insurance is all about protection and mitigating risk. It is very rewarding to tell someone about protection and have them take you up on it. I was given a hug by a 65 year old man who said "Thank you for thinking of my family" after an insurance appointment.
The insurance check is the last love letter you will be able to write them.
The insurance check is the last love letter you will be able to write them.
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Samantha’s Answer
Working in health insurance is rewarding if you always remember your why. When it comes to working in health insurance, your purpose is taking care of the person who is receiving the service that you are administering. If you always keep that at the fore front, then the job will be rewarding every day because you know that you are taking care of the person who is ultimately receiving the service you are working on.
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Abel’s Answer
I've been in the insurance industry for more than 15 years! I believe I've had a great career that has spanned Underwriting, CAT Management, Product Management, Innovation, leading a division, etc. I believe insurance is one of the last industries that one can work and really have a career that can span across the entirety of their working lives. What I truly appreciate is the opportunity to know that the work that I'm responsible for will actually make a difference in the lives of those that need our products. I believe that when you have a passion for helping people, you can naturally gravitate towards entering the insurance industry and its a worthwhile industry to enter. Knowing that you are helping others is one of the most rewarding feelings you may have. Good luck to anyone interested in entering this great industry.
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Sarah M.’s Answer
I worked in insurance as a sales and support person, before moving in claims. This was during a time when my country was rocked by major earthquakes, and while it was a very hectic time dealing with distraught customers dealing with loss of homes and possessions, it was incredibly rewarding to provide support and advise to them.
I had studied insurance law before finding that role, as a gap between tech roles, and it was very interesting to see the "real" side of insurance, with customers, underwriting decisions, and claims. I ultimately moved into a tech role at the insurance company, but that experience "on the shop floor" let me understand the process, business and people in a way that is still valuable in later roles.
I had studied insurance law before finding that role, as a gap between tech roles, and it was very interesting to see the "real" side of insurance, with customers, underwriting decisions, and claims. I ultimately moved into a tech role at the insurance company, but that experience "on the shop floor" let me understand the process, business and people in a way that is still valuable in later roles.
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Krishna Chaitanya’s Answer
I worked for health insurance companies for most part of my career. It is very interesting field as it is heavily regulated, so any creative idea you have to make improvements needs comply with regulations from CMS(for medicare plans). Everything about this industry is unique, especially with growing emphasis on value based care making it more interesting. What makes this career very rewarding is, the unique skill set you will possess after for so many years in the industry will make you feel accomplished. Those skills are going to be in demand always as the demand for healthcare never fades.
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Kelly’s Answer
I have been in the insurance business for 22 years, working for different carriers on the P&C side and now a health insurance company. I find the work to be incredibly rewarding. You can choose a technical career path (underwriting, actuarial/data science, claims) or a more "traditional" path such as marketing - an insurance company needs it all. I love the fact that we are able to serve people and customers in their greatest times of need and also support our communitiies.
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Bill’s Answer
Scarlett - I've been in the insurance industry for over 25 years. While it was not my first choice of career paths out of college, it has been an extremely rewarding career path.
During my tenure, I've only worked on the insurance carrier side. While working as a broker there is the potential to make more money as you are working on commissions, the carrier side has served me and my family very well.
I've experienced moving to different territories for a period of time where I worked as a field rep learning hands on what our customers did and getting to work closely with our loss control reps to visit their business and get taken behind the scenes to all sorts of operations. This to me is the most fun when it comes to the job. I've also been promoted into management rolls where I've been able to share my knowledge with others and help them grow as field underwriters.
Most of all, I've been able to maintain a stable career and income for my family which has allowed for us to enjoy many fun vacations in a multitude of destinations that are all possible to me having a great job in the insurance industry.
Take some time to learn more about the industry and all the areas that are associated with it as it's a great career choice.
Best of luck.
During my tenure, I've only worked on the insurance carrier side. While working as a broker there is the potential to make more money as you are working on commissions, the carrier side has served me and my family very well.
I've experienced moving to different territories for a period of time where I worked as a field rep learning hands on what our customers did and getting to work closely with our loss control reps to visit their business and get taken behind the scenes to all sorts of operations. This to me is the most fun when it comes to the job. I've also been promoted into management rolls where I've been able to share my knowledge with others and help them grow as field underwriters.
Most of all, I've been able to maintain a stable career and income for my family which has allowed for us to enjoy many fun vacations in a multitude of destinations that are all possible to me having a great job in the insurance industry.
Take some time to learn more about the industry and all the areas that are associated with it as it's a great career choice.
Best of luck.
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Michael’s Answer
This is a great question! Having spent my entire career in the insurance industry (specifically in property and casualty insurance), there are really two areas I find most rewarding. First, you get to see business owners and how they operate and impact their communities every day. It's fascinating being able to learn how business operate and how business owners in various industries impact the economy and their communities where they work and live. Secondly, you have the opportunity to be a trusted advisor for business owners and help them protect their employees and their business. The business is a very rewarding career and one I would highly recommend.