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What is an insurance specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
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An insurance specialist helps individuals and businesses manage their risks by providing insurance policies. They have expertise in life, health, property, or casualty insurance. Insurance specialists work with clients to assess risks and determine the appropriate coverage. They also advise clients to minimize risks and prevent losses. In addition, they handle insurance claims, negotiate settlements, and ensure fair compensation. Overall, insurance specialists help individuals and businesses manage risk and protect against financial losses.

ScoreInsurance SpecialistUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $34,281

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.2

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.48%

Asian 3.89%

Black or African American 13.78%

Hispanic or Latino 14.38%

Unknown 4.28%

White 63.20%

Gender

female 77.89%

male 22.11%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
9.5

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an insurance specialist?

Pros

  • Opportunity for career growth and advancement

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options

  • High demand for insurance specialists in the job market

  • Potential for bonuses and commissions based on performance

Cons

  • Can be a high-pressure job with tight deadlines and quotas to meet

  • Can require long working hours during busy periods

  • Can be repetitive or tedious at times

  • Can involve a significant amount of paperwork and administrative tasks

  • May require a significant amount of phone or email communication with clients and colleagues

Insurance specialist career paths

Key steps to become an insurance specialist

  1. Explore insurance specialist education requirements

    Most common insurance specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    42.4 %

    Associate

    22.9 %

    High School Diploma

    15.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific insurance specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients18.04%
    Customer Service11.29%
    Insurance Coverage4.11%
    Insurance Verification3.90%
    Life Insurance3.63%
  3. Complete relevant insurance specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New insurance specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an insurance specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real insurance specialist resumes.
  4. Gain additional insurance specialist certifications

    Insurance specialist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific insurance specialist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for insurance specialists include Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) and Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research insurance specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage database by processing renewals and endorsements.
    • Maintain confidentiality and adhere HIPPA guidelines with handling patients' information
    • Make recommendations on operationalization and oversight of specific marketplace enrollment policies.
    • Verify various health insurance plan benefit information and eligibility for patients with chronic illnesses.
  6. Prepare your insurance specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your insurance specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an insurance specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable insurance specialist resume templates

    Build a professional insurance specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your insurance specialist resume.
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    Insurance Specialist Resume
  7. Apply for insurance specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an insurance specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first insurance specialist job

Zippi

Are you an insurance specialist?

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Average insurance specialist salary

The average insurance specialist salary in the United States is $34,281 per year or $16 per hour. Insurance specialist salaries range between $27,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average insurance specialist salary
$34,281 Yearly
$16.48 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do insurance specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Insurance specialist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2024
Pros

There is no need to work in shift, especially evening or midnight shifts, disclaimer: i transitioned from the hospitality industry to insurance industry. Now i work 8-5 mostly and day off on weekends. And it has been great so far! I can finally sleep at nights now definitely!

Cons

Pay is too low especially in my country. And as we are a small firm, so career progression is super narrow. And regardless of how long i work there, pay will still be low.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

Meeting new people and working with other healthcare specialist

Cons

Sitting for long periods


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Gaining valued insurance knowledge and expertise.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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