My first 90 days in insurance – Alice Harrison, Trainee Claims Handler – Henderson Insurance Brokers Ltd.
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20-Mar-15
Please see below, an interesting blog from one of our recent candidates, Alice Harrison. Alice is a recent graduate, and in October 2014, secured a Trainee Claims Handler role with Henderson Insurance Brokers. Here, Alice reviews her first 3 months in a fast-paced broking environment. Well done Alice, keep up the good work!
I was introduced to Richard Jones by a family friend who works as a Development Executive for a national broker. I had relatives that work in insurance and understood it offered a good career, but aside from this, I knew very little about insurance.
It was suggested that I spoke to Richard to find out whether insurance was something that might interest me. Richard looked at my CV, highlighted parts, and pointed out how they might be useful in an insurance role. I went away, looked at the information Richard had given to me, did some further research, and could see more and more that a career in the insurance industry could be what I had been looking for.
Richard, along with Saraya Fawcett, supported me throughout, putting my CV into companies and making sure I knew what was expected when I turned up to interview. I had a record three interviews/meetings (I was told this wasn’t commonplace for a Trainee) with Henderson Insurance Brokers and eventually, with plenty of support from Saraya and Richard, I was offered a position as a Trainee Claims Technician.
Starting in the Claims department at Henderson Insurance Brokers, I expected to be a bit daunted and out of my depth for some time, but that was not what awaited me. I was pleasantly surprised; everybody was so supportive, giving me cases to read and understand. I was given time to learn from others, and simple things (like updates on cases), to do by myself. But just by reading cases and speaking to insurers, I was constantly learning and understanding. Alongside this, Henderson’s put a lot of emphasis on ensuring that their employees are constantly learning and improving. We are encouraged to attend training sessions and generally attend at least one per month; either to learn more about a certain area of insurance, or to gain a brand new understanding.
Within a couple of months, I was given my own claim to run, virtually alone, just copying the Director in to emails. It was exciting; I was engaging with clients, speaking to insurers and having to handle issues, merely going back to the Claims Director for any clarification needed. I found that, for me, this was the best way to learn - on the job. I have regular meetings with my mentor, Claims Manager and the office Claims Director; they regularly ask how I am finding the work, how I’d like to improve my training, and where I would like the role to go. They have supported me with on the job training and encouraged me to learn more. As it is my first role within insurance, it could have been difficult to adapt initially, but with a great team around me, encouraging and supporting me, I feel that I am flourishing.
The role is both interesting and challenging in equal measure; organising various claims on the go at the same time. Ensuring that clients’ needs are dealt with effectively – they all have very different needs and understanding of insurance – it’s a challenge, but extremely enjoyable. I speak to a variety of people each day and must be aware of their knowledge of insurance and adapt my explanation accordingly each time. Ultimately, the reason we are employed as Claims Technicians is to make the lives of our clients easier; ensuring that each claim is being managed effectively and that the client understands what is happening with their claims at each stage. I know that there are further challenges that lie ahead of me, with the acquisition of my own case load in the not so distant future. But I came to Henderson’s looking to learn and be challenged, and that is what they have provided.
I am currently being encouraged and guided through my CII Certificate in Insurance and feel confident within my role already. I feel positive in my future at Henderson’s and know I will be encouraged to achieve my ambitions here.
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