What does the state of insurance hiring look like now?

Financial services recruitment is skewing towards higher qualifications, and insurance sits right inside that trend. Recent government analysis found that hiring across the sector was generally for Regulatory Qualification Framework (RQF) level 6 and above roles, rather than the level 3 to 5 band GOV.UK - Temporary Shortage List: Stage 2 report. In plain terms, RQF 6 sits at degree level, so employers are competing for people with deeper, more specialist expertise.

That matters for claims teams. Complex claims handling, technical adjusting and regulatory-facing work all lean on exactly the kind of higher-qualified skills the market is chasing. When demand concentrates at the top of the qualification range, the people you want are harder to reach and quicker to move on. So the question this autumn is simple: do you wait, or do you start early?

Which claims roles and dynamics are driving demand?

The pull towards RQF 6 and above shapes which claims roles are hardest to fill GOV.UK - Temporary Shortage List: Stage 2 report. Senior claims handlers, technical claims adjusters, complex and large-loss specialists, and claims professionals who can navigate regulation are the ones employers most want to lock in.

There's a timing dynamic too. When a whole sector reaches for the same higher-qualified people, the available pool thins out fast. Teams that move early in autumn get first look at people who are open to a conversation. Teams that wait until the new year are often chasing the same shortlist as everyone else. Early investment in claims skills is really an investment in choice.

How do you hire well for claims this autumn?

Start with the qualification bar you actually need. If the role genuinely calls for RQF 6 and above skills, say so clearly and build your process around it GOV.UK - Temporary Shortage List: Stage 2 report. If parts of the role can be learned on the job, widen your search and plan to develop people. Being precise about what is essential versus nice to have opens up a bigger, faster pool.

• Define the must-have claims competencies before you advertise, not after.
• Move quickly once someone strong appears: a slow process loses higher-qualified people.
• Sell the work, the team and the progression, not just the title.
• Consider people who can grow into the role where the qualification bar allows.
• Keep people warm with clear, prompt communication at every stage.

Above all, treat autumn as a head start. Getting your brief right and your process tight now means you are ready to act the moment the right person shows up.

Where does our recruitment agent fit into insurance claims hiring?

This is where we come in. We search a database of 15 million people to surface claims professionals who match your brief, then rank a shortlist and help you move to interview quickly. Our recruitment agent manages recruitment end to end for 8% on a successful hire, with no monthly fee and no upfront cost. Ready to invest early in claims skills this autumn? Start your brief with Reed.ai today.