Insurance Claims Clerks may:  

Interview, call, or write the insured to obtain information on damages or losses  

Prepare reports and insurance claim forms  

Review the insurance policy to determine coverage  

Calculate the amount of the claim  

Forward reports of claims or claim forms to the appropriate insurance company personnel for processing and determination of payment or denial  

Notify the claims supervisor if further investigation is needed  

Act as an intermediary between the company and the insured person  

Assist in settling claims  

Tools and equipment used may include:  

Insurance Claims Clerks work under the direction of a claims supervisor or office supervisor. They usually work in an office setting which is well lighted and air-conditioned.  

Most work an average workweek of 35 to 40 hours. They may be required to work overtime during peak times.  

You Should Prefer:  

• Activities concerned with communicating ideas or information to  

people  

• Activities involving business contact with people  

• Activities of a routine, organized nature  

You Should Be Able To:  

• Follow instructions  

• See detail/errors in numbers/spelling/punctuation in written  

materials  

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked  

• Perform arithmetical operations quickly and accurately  

• Rate information by using personal judgement  

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions  

• Communicate well, orally and in writing  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:  

If a person's claim for a car accident is $1,092 and they have a $500 deductible, how much money is the insurance company responsible for?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:  

Coverage becomes effective on the 31st day of an Associate's employment. The portion of the premium paid by the Associate will begin to be deducted from the Associate's paycheck at that time.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:  

You should be able to write a report explaining the details of an insurance claim.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:  

You should be able to look at an individual's policy and then decide if he or she is covered.  

High school graduation with a good background in basic grammar, reading, and arithmetic skills may be sufficient, but business education classes that provide basic clerical skills, typing, and knowledge of office practices are preferred. 

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.  

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY  

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***  

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***  

138 GENERAL OFFICE CLERK TRAINING  

Programs in General Office Clerk Training are designed for the individuals who wish to learn the basic clerical skills needed for employment in the various office settings. The programs will prepare students to perform such duties as duplicating data, compiling records and reports, tabulating and posting data in record books, sorting and filing correspondence and records, handling mail, and operating office machines.  

Courses vary from school to school but may include:  

Postsecondary education programs in general office clerk training might offer part-time co-op opportunities for practical experience. Summer employment also may allow students to gain practical office  

                 School-to-Work opportunities include:  

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadow experiences  

touring a local Insurance Claims Clerk employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Insurance Claims Clerk employer  

community service work with an agency  

The most common method of entry is direct application to insurance companies and brokers. Assistance is available at school placement offices and local offices of Michigan Works!. Newspaper want ads often list job openings. Applications may be accepted at federal, state, or local civil service offices.  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as: 

Salaries of Insurance Claims Clerks may vary according to these individuals' experience, level of responsibility, qualifications, and the size and location of the employer.  

Nationally, Insurance Claims Clerks earned between $13,638 and $40,872 per year in 1995.  

In the Detroit  area, Insurance Claims Clerks had salaries ranging from $16,825 to $28,302 annually in 1996.  

Medical Benefits Reviewers employed by the State of Michigan  had annual earnings ranging between $21,026 and $30,652 in 1996.  

Depending on the employer, fringe benefits for Insurance Claims Clerks may include paid vacations, life and medical insurance, paid holidays, and pension plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.  

Insurance Claims Clerks usually begin as trainees and may advance to claims supervisor then to department manager. Advancement of Insurance Claims Clerks usually depends on work performance, education, and experience. Some companies pay a large portion of the tuition costs for employees who take college courses. Most firms usually fill higher positions by promoting from within the organization.  

Nationally, there were 119,200 Insurance Claims Clerks employed in 1994. Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. The industry distribution for Insurance Claims Clerks looked like this:  

Employment of Insurance Claims Clerks may grow if the demand for financial services provided by insurance companies increases, and the economy continues to grow. The high turnover rate in clerical positions may also result in more Insurance Claims Clerk jobs. Most financial services analysts expect that banks will be deregulated, permitting them to engage in insurance activities. This may improve long-term employment opportunities of Claims Clerks.  

Approximately 2,000 Insurance Claims Clerks are employed in Michigan  . Most worked in the insurance industry for insurance companies, agents, and brokers. Some worked for the Federal Government in programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.  

The employment of Insurance Claims Clerks in Michigan  is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 40 openings is expected annually, with 20 due to growth and 20 due to replacement of workers who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.  

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005  

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.