Insurance Account Handler Apprenticeship 2026

Who are we?Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 18,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.Location: CroydonStart date: September 2026Salary: £23,000Closing date: 21st November 2025Howden RetailOur Retail division is spread across the UK and Ireland and focuses on small-medium size enterprises (SMEs), individual clients and private high-net-worth clients, providing them with tailored insurance solutions that meet their unique needs. Whatever the question, the concern, or the risk, we can get the right experts in a room and find the right answer.Corporate and Commercial DivisionWe support various sizes and types of businesses from local tradespeople such as a self-employed plumber to well-established large businesses. Our team provide expert guidance on all aspects of commercial insurance helping a wide range of sectors from hospitality and leisure, manufacturing, construction, retail, technology, real estate, rail, motor trade, haulage to professional and financial services.If you are curious about stepping into the world of insurance and managing clients, this could be a perfect first step in your career.What is the role?This is a one-year apprenticeship programme where you'll start your career as an Account Handler, learning how to support clients and understand the world of insurance from the ground up. You'll gain hands-on experience working with our expert teams, helping clients with their insurance needs, and learning how businesses protect themselves against different risks.As an Account Handler, you may be assigned to one insurance area or act as a generalist and support many different lines of commercial insurance.You will be part of a friendly and supportive team who will guide you every step of the way. One day a week will be dedicated to studying towards a Level 3 qualification, all while earning a salary and gaining valuable real-world experience.What you’ll do?You will gain a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification for your relevant programme. As part of this, you’ll spend one day a week studying with your dedicated trainer, who will support you every step of the way to ensure you're set up for success.Take part in a year long structured development programme designed to help you build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in your role. All of our apprentices take part in this programme, so you’ll have a group of peers to learn alongside.Learn the foundations of insurance through hands-on learning and structured apprenticeship training.Enhance your understanding of client needs by supporting the management of existing insurance policies.Strengthen your written communication by drafting professional email correspondence for clientsBuild your verbal communication skills by learning how to manage telephone calls from clients and insurers, assisting with their queries and offering helpful advice.What are we looking for?No experience in insurance is required; we’ll teach you everything you need to knowFinal year sixth form/college students or recent college leavers.GCSE English and Maths at Grade C or 4.Confident communicators who are comfortable speaking on the phone with people at all levels.Tenacious and resilient individuals who thrive on challenges.Individuals who are driven to learn and develop their careers in insurance.Intellectually curious individuals who want to learn and grow.Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.Strong written communication skills and attention to detail.Application processOur application process is designed to help you show your potential, not to test what you already knowOnline application form – no CV required: We believe you're more than just a document, so we won’t ask you to submit a CV. Please upload a blank document on the application form.Online gamified assessment: These games will help us understand your natural strengths and how you approach different situations. There are no right or wrong answers. You can complete this stage on your phone or laptop, whichever suits you bestPre-recorded video interview: You will record your answers to a few questions using your phone or laptop, giving you the chance to tell us more about yourself in your own time in a relaxed setting.Assessment centre: Our final stage is an in-person assessment day at one of our offices close to you. You'll take part in some fun group activities and meet our team in a relaxed setting. This day is all about getting to know you better and for you to see what it's like to be part of Howden and experience our culture. We'll cover all your travel costs for this dayAt Howden, we are committed to developing and maintaining a culture of equality and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from all backgrounds.Be sure to follow your Early Careers team on TikTok @earlycareersjo and @millieinsurancecareers. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process From exploring the roles on offer and understanding our assessments, to tips on how to ace your video interview - we have got you covered You will also get behind-the-scenes insights into our assessment days: including how to prepare, what to wear, and what to expect. Think of us as your career coaches, right by your side from start to finish.What do we offer in return?A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden type. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something newWe support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challengesWe are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyondReasonable adjustmentsWe're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.Permanent #J-18808-Ljbffr