Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
Overview
SaveJob Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
Process new insurance policies, modifications to existing policies, and claims forms. Obtain information from policyholders to verify the accuracy and completeness of information on claims forms, applications and related documents, and company records. Update existing policies and company records to reflect changes requested by policyholders and insurance company representatives.
Yearly Salary
| High: | $64K |
| Median: | $42K |
| Low: | $29K |
Demand
Core Tasks
- Prepare insurance claim forms or related documents, and review them for completeness.
- Pay small claims.
- Calculate amount of claim.
- Post or attach information to claim file.
- Transmit claims for payment or further investigation.
- Contact insured or other involved persons to obtain missing information.
- Review insurance policy to determine coverage.
- Organize or work with detailed office or warehouse records, using computers to enter, access, search or retrieve data.
- Process and record new insurance policies and claims.
- Process, prepare, and submit business or government forms, such as submitting applications for coverage to insurance carriers.
- Provide customer service, such as limited instructions on proceeding with claims or referrals to auto repair facilities or local contractors.
- Correspond with insured or agent to obtain information or to inform them of account status or changes.
- Review and verify data, such as age, name, address, and principal sum and value of property, on insurance applications and policies.
- Compare information from application to criteria for policy reinstatement, and approve reinstatement when criteria are met.
- Examine letters from policyholders or agents, original insurance applications, and other company documents to determine if changes are needed and effects of changes.
- Collect initial premiums and issue receipts.
- Transcribe data to worksheets, and enter data into computer for use in preparing documents and adjusting accounts.
- Interview clients and take their calls to provide customer service and obtain information on claims.
- Obtain computer printout of policy cancellations, or retrieve cancellation cards from file.
- Compose business correspondence for supervisors, managers, and professionals.
- Notify insurance agent and accounting department of policy cancellation.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
85%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administrative
78%
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
English Language
72%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
60%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mathematics
59%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management
49%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Communications and Media
45%
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Production and Processing
45%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Law and Government
44%
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Economics and Accounting
42%
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Top 10 Skills
Reading Comprehension
70%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Time Management
70%
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Speaking
68%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
65%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
65%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Coordination
63%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Service Orientation
63%
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness
63%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Writing
63%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving
60%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
73%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
73%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Near Vision
70%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
70%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity
70%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition
70%
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Deductive Reasoning
68%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Information Ordering
68%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Written Expression
68%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
65%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Top 10 Work Activities
Working with Computers
89%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information
84%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Processing Information
83%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
82%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Documenting/Recording Information
82%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
81%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
76%
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
75%
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
73%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
73%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Detailed Work Activities
- Check data for recording errors.
- Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
- Calculate costs of goods or services.
- Compile data or documentation.
- Send information, materials or documentation.
- Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
- Review customer insurance information.
- Maintain operational records.
- Enter information into databases or software programs.
- Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
- Provide notifications to customers or patrons.
- Verify accuracy of financial or transactional data.
- Provide information to coworkers.
- Execute sales or other financial transactions.
- Collect deposits, payments or fees.
- Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
- Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
- Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants.
- Prepare business correspondence.
- Calculate financial data.
- Maintain financial or account records.
Education
Interests
Conventional
100%
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Enterprising
55%
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Social
37%
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Investigative
35%
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Realistic
17%
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Artistic
15%
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.
Work Values
Relationships
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
65%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
34%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Colleges
SAGE Scholars Member Schools that offer majors leading to this career.
Check out the College Search to see the full list of schools with majors for this career.