Should I be embarrassed to work in Insurance?

As a self-professed cross creative and lover of all things art galleries and literature, insurance was not the career of my childhood dreams. I cringe at the question: “so what is it you do?”, acutely aware of the heavy stereotype that conjures images of a dull workload. It’s a people industry, I’ll say, full of opportunity to make your mark and have a big impact on individuals and businesses. Unconvinced smiles and nods likely follow.

Is it even possible to convince you that the industry is full of career prospects that are diverse, rich, fulfilling and that there might even be one you actually *gasp* enjoy? I’ll give it a go.

As if!

Insurance is cool. Don’t believe me, book a Lloyd’s of London tour. I challenge anyone to not be even a little impressed by the grandeur of the building and the history the industry is built upon. While it all started with Marine Insurance, it continues to evolve and move with the times. And we’ve all heard of J.Lo insuring her most famous asset!

Unfortunately, the reputation of the insurance industry does regularly take a battering and perceptions of a money-making, claim-dodging machine don’t support its image. But, in an increasingly anxiety-ridden society, insurance is the peace of mind that, if and when the bad stuff happens, at least financially, the position you enjoyed before will be restored. Whilst we don’t always do our best to shout about the accomplishments, if you’ve been unfortunate enough to experience a cyber threat and had the foresight of obtaining a well-advised Cyber cover, the speed with which your insurer will have responded is just as impressive as the Lloyds building.

Houston, we have a problem

Insurance only exists because of the possibility of problems. The entire concept is to imagine the worst-case scenario which is quite depressing. Of course, once the worst has happened, the significance of insurance seems unquestionable. The supportive and empathetic claims handler can often and rightly be heralded the hero once the proverbial has well and truly hit the fan. However, a happy outcome is only possible if the correct cover was initially placed during those depressing worst-case scenario conversations. To achieve this, we need to strike the balance of technical knowledge and a deep understanding of the risk. But if we deliver that with zero personality, the message won’t stick so business relationships built on trust and time are imperative. Insurance is a people industry and the ‘making-a-quick-buck salesperson’ is not a good fit when dealing with risk.

Life is like a box of chocolates

Insurance is the embodiment of the unforeseen. The direction of an insurance career is often similarly unforeseen. One of my pet peeve questions to be asked is “where do you see yourself in 5/10 years’ time”, it’s such an unimaginative question and for most, an impossible one to answer. There is so much we do not know about our futures.

While I applaud the aspirational among us, I can’t help but think it’s stifling to our own development to map out a calculated career plan. We may not yet have had the best mentor of our career. The insurance product that will become our area of expertise maybe hasn’t evolved yet. We might even switch up departments and decide marketing, IT, accounts, management etc are more our bag than the one we’re currently in. The idea that an insurance career path leads in only one or two directions doesn’t do much for the wider stuffy insurance image. In reality, the industry can take us on an expanse of avenues so long as we remain open to the opportunities in real time.

It’s taken me a minute to love the industry I fell into when entering the grand old world of work. I am incredibly proud and grateful to be a part of the insurance world that is both rich in historical significance but also fast-moving and modern in its approach to dealing with new emerging risks. It’s no coincidence that once you’re in, very few leave. We often joke and call this the insurance trap, but I think there is a far more compelling reason behind the teasing: it’s a people industry.

Check out the cracking team of people I’m lucky enough to work with. A great bunch of engaging human beings with a varied mix of expertise, interests, and hobbies. Anything but dull…except the gym talk (yawn, not my thing).