13 Careers in Insurance (With Job Duties and Salaries)

Careers with insurance companies can offer rewarding professional paths and desirable salaries. Those looking for work in the insurance industry may seek jobs in specializations, such as life, automobile, health, property and casualty insurance. Learning about the broad range of insurance jobs available can help you determine what position you'd like to pursue. In this article, we share a list of 13 insurance careers to consider, including the job duties and average salary for each.

13 careers in insurance

Insurance jobs are excellent for those who are eager to work with numbers, facts and people. Most jobs in the insurance field require you to complete some level of education and pass a series of tests and acquire certain certifications. Here's a list of different jobs in the insurance field:

1. Insurance claims clerk

National average salary: $34,676 per year

Primary duties: Insurance claims clerks review insurance claim forms and documents to guarantee accuracy and completion. They're responsible for speaking with customers to obtain any missing information. An insurance claims clerk also works to determine claim coverage, calculate claim amounts and submit insurance claims for payment.

2. Claims examiner

National average salary: $64,469 per year

Primary duties: Claims examiners look at insurance claims to verify that claimants have followed the process correctly. They also make sure the claim adjuster has followed the investigation and reporting process for claims.Claims examiners ensure legal compliance, provide assistance to claim adjusters and deny or approve insurance claims. They work in a midlevel role that requires compliance with regulatory standards, decision-making skills and the responsibility of overseeing colleagues' work.

3. Insurance appraiser

National average salary: $60,793 per year

Primary duties: Insurance appraisers estimate the value of insured items and evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company pays a claim and determine how much the company should pay. Insurance appraisers may also conduct field investigations, inspecting damaged automobiles and buildings. They're also responsible for directing any fraudulent claims to investigators if they suspect someone is committing insurance fraud.

4. Insurance investigator

National average salary: $56,521 per year

Primary duties: Insurance investigators assess insurance claims to identify any criminal activity or insurance fraud. They review paperwork and insurance claims, interview witnesses, review surveillance footage and operate as detectives to ensure policyholders aren't committing fraud. Insurance investigators gather information from law enforcement, witnesses, claimants and insurance adjusters to evaluate the case and determine if the insurance claims are valid.

5. Claims adjuster

National average salary: $63,093 per year

Primary duties: A claims adjuster investigates all insurance claims to discover the extent of liability for an insurance company. They inspect the property, interview claimants and witnesses and determine the amount of money that claimants should receive. Claims adjusters often handle the first step in the claims process, submitting as much information as possible about their appraisals to the claims examiner, who reviews the claims adjuster's work and continues the process.

6. Loss control consultant

National average salary: $81,476 per year

Primary duties:  evaluate a business's safety and loss risks. They implement strategies for the company to prevent safety issues, inventory loss and theft. Loss control consultants may conduct risk assessments, evaluate workers' compensation claims and verify insurance claims before the processing stage. They also work closely with insurance companies to develop new ways to offer cost-effective coverage.

7. Insurance sales agent

National average salary: $58,509 per year

Primary duties: Insurance sales agents, also known as insurance sales representatives, design and implement marketing strategies to help insurance companies sell new contracts or adjust existing ones. They contact new clients and appraise businesses' or individuals' needs to offer them a suitable insurance plan. Insurance sales agents provide customer service to clients who are changing insurance policies and help them develop long-term plans. 

8. Financial analyst

National average salary: $73,812 per year

Primary duties: Financial analysts offer financial planning assistance to companies and corporations. They use financial analysis models to forecast revenues and expenditures to create cost structures and determine budgets for projects. Financial analysts are responsible for analyzing how market conditions and business performance may affect a company to help the management make strategic financial decisions. 

9. Insurance field inspector

National average salary: $56,787 per year

Primary duties: Insurance field inspectors perform inspections to estimate the value of a property. They can work for insurance companies, mortgage lenders or banks to verify a property's condition. Insurance field inspectors often visit different properties, document the property's condition and make assessments of potential problems that might cause issues for the insurance company.

10. Insurance broker

National average salary: $81,208 per year

Primary duties: Insurance brokers operate in a risk management capacity, advising clients about potential risks and insurance policies that can minimize those risks. Insurance brokers work with both individuals and businesses, and they have the option to specialize in one specific area of insurance. They help inform their clients about coverage options and make recommendations based on the individual's or business's needs.

11. Risk manager

National average salary: $105,930 per year

Primary duties: Risk managers supervise an organization's risks and develop plans to minimize the impact of losses. In the insurance industry, risk managers identify the causes of accidents or losses, recommend precautionary measures and implement plans to minimize the cost and damage in case of loss. Risk managers use market models to understand operational risks, recommend loss control policies and provide analytical support to prevent future losses.

12. Actuary

National average salary: $120,164 per year

Primary duties: Actuaries analyze the financial cost of risks for different companies. They use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to determine the risk of potential events. Actuaries develop risk prevention policies to help minimize the code of those risks. Their responsibilities may include offering comprehensive assessments to assist with a company's financial decisions, such as choosing insurance policies, developing products and making investing.

13. Insurance underwriter

National average salary: $98,311 per year

Primary duties: Insurance underwriters evaluate and analyze the risk of insuring people and assets. They recommend the appropriate premiums for insurance companies to take on a specific level of risk. Insurance underwriters typically rely on software to analyze individuals' and companies' risk profiles to calculate costs and make recommendations.