Insurance is often seen as a quiet industry, but it employs people with very different skills: mathematicians, engineers, investigators, salespeople, lawyers, data scientists and customer service professionals. Many roles offer clear professional credentials and long-term career paths.
Underwriter
Underwriters decide whether to accept a risk and on what terms. They review applications, inspection reports, loss histories and financial information, then set or recommend price, limits, deductibles and conditions. Personal lines underwriting relies heavily on automated rules, while commercial and specialty underwriting involves more individual judgment and negotiation with brokers. A degree in business, finance or economics is common, and many underwriters pursue professional designations such as the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) from The Institutes.
Actuary
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to estimate future losses, set prices and calculate reserves. In the United States, property and casualty actuaries usually earn credentials through the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), while life, health and retirement actuaries usually go through the Society of Actuaries (SOA). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that candidates must pass a series of exams and that earning associate-level certification may take up to 7 years. BLS projects employment of actuaries to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Claims adjuster and examiner
Claims professionals investigate losses, review coverage, estimate damages and negotiate settlements. There are several types:
- Staff adjusters work for an insurer.
- Independent adjusters work for adjusting firms hired by insurers, often traveling to catastrophe areas.
- Public adjusters are hired by policyholders to prepare and negotiate their claims.
Many states require adjusters to be licensed, and licensing requirements differ by state and by adjuster type. Read more in our article on adjusters and appraisers.
Insurance producer (agent or broker)
Producers advise clients and sell insurance. To sell, solicit or negotiate insurance in a state, a person must hold a producer license for the relevant lines of authority, such as property and casualty or life and health. Typical steps include pre-licensing education where required, a state licensing exam, a background check and ongoing continuing education. Producers working in several states obtain non-resident licenses. Common designations include CPCU, and for life and financial planning, the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) from The American College of Financial Services.
Risk manager and loss control specialist
Corporate risk managers identify and measure risks across a company, buy insurance and manage claims programs. Loss control specialists, often employed by insurers or brokers, inspect properties and operations and recommend safety improvements. Backgrounds in engineering, safety, fire protection or industrial hygiene are common. See our overview of risk management standards.
Other roles
- Data science and analytics: pricing models, fraud detection, catastrophe modeling.
- Compliance and regulatory affairs: rate and form filings, licensing, market conduct.
- Reinsurance: treaty and facultative underwriting and broking. See our reinsurance overview.
- Customer service and operations: policy administration, billing and support.
- Legal: coverage counsel, defense attorneys and in-house lawyers.
Skills that matter across roles
- Clear writing and the ability to explain complex terms in plain language.
- Comfort with numbers and data.
- Attention to detail: a single word in a policy can change the outcome of a claim.
- Integrity and confidentiality, since insurance professionals handle sensitive personal and financial information.
How to get started
- Decide whether you lean toward analysis (underwriting, actuarial, analytics), people and sales (producer, account management), or investigation (claims).
- Check your state insurance department's website for licensing requirements if the role involves selling or adjusting.
- Consider entry-level programs at insurers and brokers, and begin a professional designation early.
- Learn the basics of the main insurance lines and the key terms.
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