If you’ve not been living under a big rock for the last decade, you would be already aware of the term “Insurance.” In the modern time, almost everyone is using insurance for various reasons. There are various types of insurance available, such as medical insurance, travel insurance, vehicle insurance, home insurance, business insurance and a lot more. When it comes to claiming insurance money, people often have to deal with professionals who are known as claim handlers. This is why there is a huge demand for the claims handler jobs. But what is the role of a professional in this field? Here is a blog, which will help you understand the role of an insurance claim handler.
In insurance companies, there are many professionals with various backgrounds, all of whom are vital to the company’s success. In these insurance agencies, various professionals work, such as underwriters, claims handlers, loss adjusters and sales personnel, marketing professionals, HR, accounting and IT. In this blog, we are going to discuss the role of a claim handler so that you can be confident about choosing the insurance claims jobs as your career.
What does a claims handler do?
When you are willing to work in the insurance industry and would like to go with a high-paying job profile, opting for insurance claims handler jobs can be a good choice. The professional claim handler or advisor is responsible for assisting the clients when they’re claiming their insurance policy.
The insurance claim is the formal request of policy policyholder for compensation. These policyholders can be either individuals or businesses that purchase insurance policies as protection from potential financial loss. When there is a requirement for an insurer’s services, the claims handler records the claim.
What are the responsibilities of a claims handler?
The prime role of a professional insurance claim handler is to help clients manage every step involved with the claim process to make it an easier one for them. The professional also coordinates with the in-house team that completes individual tasks efficiently and effectively. The claim handler will remain in touch with the insurance policyholder throughout the process to ensure that the client gets the payment for valid claims. The professional may also negotiate with the attorney of the other party when required. This is why it is also important for the insurance claim handlers to have some negotiation skills to save the money of the insurance company. It is up to the claim handler or claim advisor to ensure that the issued payment was correct and there was no under or overpayment.
There can be some instances when the claim handler will also connect with the other team members, such as underwriters, adjusters and brokers for their expertise. Apart from coordinating with clients and internal team members, the claim handlers may also be required to work with other experts, such as hospitals, mechanics and engineers, when assessing a claim. There are various aspects of the role of an insurance claim handler. The duties of a specialist may include:
- Coordinating with the client – The prime role of an insurance claim handler is to connect with the client to provide the required guidance on making the insurance claim and to help with the process involved. The professional will also gather the required information and details to ensure the claim is processed fairly. Apart from this, the claim handler will also guide the policyholder on “how to proceed with the claim?”
- Reviewing the policy – Another very important role of a professional claim handler is to review the claimant’s insurance policy and assess whether their claim satisfies the conditions. In case of failure to provide full compensation, the handler will identify the reasons involved. The same information about the issues will be also conveyed to the policyholder. Apart from this, the professional will also explain to a policyholder when their policy doesn’t cover their claim.
- Organising the repairs –This is not involved in all types of insurance claims but can be for specific types of insurance, such as property insurance, vehicle insurance, etc. The professional will use a network of approved professionals to provide the repair services, according to the policy’s terms and conditions.
- Legal consultation – One of the main roles of a professional insurance claim handler is to monitor a claim’s progress and ensure its handled efficiently. Apart from this, the specialist will also serve as an investigation agent to identify any potentially fraudulent claims. For this, the specialist will also consult with the other legal and claims professionals to assess the claim terms. In some complicated cases, the claim handler may also consult with external professionals when necessary.
- Ensuring fair claims – When you buy an insurance policy, you expect the company to pay the claim services fairly whenever you need them. This is why the insurance agencies have claim handlers in their team, who are responsible for ensuring that the policyholder receives fair treatment and excellent customer service. The specialist will take care that the payments for all the valid claims are provided on time. Apart from this, the claim handler will also manage any complaints surrounding a claim.
Claims handler skills
When it comes to applying for the role of an insurance claim handler, it can be very confusing to many about the skills as this is not something that is covered under the educational programs. So, here are some skills that you need to have, as a professional claim handler or when you apply for the insurance claims jobs:
- Customer service skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisational skills
- Good communication skills
- Analytical ability
- Problem-solving skills
Final Words
So, when you want to apply for the best claims handler jobs available out there, make sure to have a good understanding of the role of a claim handler so that you can be prepared for the tough challenges that might come your way. Make sure to know everything before you apply for the role.
