Insurance account manager

Insurance account managers develop business accounts and increase sales of their company's insurance products.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

  • build good working relationships with brokers and other agents
  • be responsible for several business accounts
  • promote new insurance products and work to sales targets
  • set up meetings to pitch and develop new business accounts
  • work with insurance underwriters to adapt policies
  • set up claims handling and support teams for new policies
  • monitor team sales performance
  • develop marketing literature
  • make sure that all business meets strict financial services industry rules

Working environment

You could work in an office or from home.

Career path and progression

With experience and a good track record, you could be promoted into a senior sales or marketing role. You could also move into area management or senior management, supervising other managers and planning company strategies.

You could use your skills from this role in other areas, for example sales, marketing, business development or account handling.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • persistence and determination
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Most relevant

  • Mathematics - Insurance account managers work with financial data, policy pricing, and sales targets on a daily basis. They need to analyse account performance figures, calculate premiums, and understand the numerical side of insurance products to advise clients effectively.
  • Business - Insurance account managers develop business accounts, pitch to new clients, and work towards sales targets. Understanding how businesses operate, how markets work, and how to build commercial relationships is central to this role.
  • Economics - Insurance account managers need to understand the economic factors that affect risk, pricing, and demand for insurance products. Knowledge of markets, financial services regulation, and how economic conditions influence business decisions helps them advise clients and adapt their sales strategies.
  • English Language - Insurance account managers spend much of their time communicating – pitching to clients, writing proposals, and developing marketing literature. Being able to explain complex insurance products clearly and persuasively, both in writing and in person, is essential for building trust and closing deals.

Also relevant

  • Accounting - Insurance account managers monitor financial performance across their accounts and need to understand financial statements and budgets. This helps them assess the value of business accounts and ensure that policies meet both client needs and company profitability goals.
  • Law - Insurance account managers must make sure all business meets strict financial services industry rules. Understanding legal principles, contracts, and regulatory compliance helps them navigate the heavily regulated insurance sector.
  • Psychology - Insurance account managers build relationships with brokers and clients, often needing to persuade and negotiate. Understanding what motivates people, how to handle objections, and how to remain calm under pressure helps them manage accounts and close sales effectively.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • training with a professional body

You could take a degree before applying to join a company's management training scheme. Most subjects are accepted but you may have an advantage if you study:

  • business management
  • financial services
  • marketing
  • maths

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

You may be able to get into this job by doing an insurance professional higher apprenticeship, or degree apprenticeship for senior insurance professionals.

These take between 24 to 36 months to complete with a mix of workplace learning and study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

You could start as an insurance technician, underwriter or junior account handler and work your way up through training and promotion.

You could study for qualifications from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

The CII qualifications offer study units relevant to the insurance areas you specialise in, for example marine, commercial or general insurance. Examples of qualifications include:

  • CII Level 3 Certificate in Insurance
  • CII Diploma in Insurance
  • CII Advanced Diploma in Insurance

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Chartered Insurance Institute for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about working in insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute and Step Forward.

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