Claims Handler Apprentice Review
at Howden
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Insurance and Risk Management
Fenchurch St, London, UK
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Here at Howden, I am a Claims Handler Apprentice in the Professional Indemnity Solicitors/ Accountants Team. I handle claims on behalf of my colleagues from law/ solicitor firms regarding negligence in advice, failure to follow instructions, error in or missing document and more. This involves bringing value to our clients and Insurers through timely communication via email and effective meetings either over teams or in person. As renewal is coming up 1st April for most of our clients, March is mainly making sure that claims that can be closed are closed and ensure that all files are where they should be before the client renews their policy with us. If we have new business starting, Placing teams work with us to ensure their claims portfolio is transferred from their previous insurer to us effectively.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
This programme has truly brought the real me out. I am a lot more confident speaking to an audience and being filmed for the early careers department/ as a Visionpath ambassador. I have found a better version of myself who is more bubbly and talkative. Everyone here at Howden are absolutely amazing and so supportive. My team are willing to give me extra revision on the lead up to exams. Throughout my application journey, Howden was one of very very few companies that made me feel comfortable and like I was meant to be here.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
My confidence has definitely improved, and I am trusting myself with my knowledge and what I actually do know a lot more. My prioritisation and organisation skills have gotten extraordinarily better since I joined Howden, as my team is quite a busy team and in a way I was dropped in the deep end at some points because I knew, and they knew, that I could handle it. Quick decision making was something I struggled with, and since I started here, I am now a lot better at making effective decisions quickly when needed.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
We have a 3 hour call at the same time every Friday, apart from Bank Holidays of course. This structure allows me to plan around this call. Fridays are our study day, so in the morning I can effectively revise and complete mocks at home, or I can choose to come in the office. During the week, I mostly work from home Wednesdays unless I have a busy week, so on this day I have revision time 4-5:30pm to aid my studies towards the Cert CII qualification. This way, I know I have set study times during the week that I can work around to get my job done outside these sessions.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive an amazing amount of support from Howden. They are truly a rare find in terms of the people first culture. Instead of just having it as one of their values on their website, they act on it, as I have never felt unheard/ unsupported etc. I have support with work, revision, time to go to networking events, seminars, webinars, Insurance school and more! That is rare to have in such a big company. I am very thankful for how accommodating Howden is as a company. The CEO himself comes to speak to employees and helps support the future of Howden and the employees.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Wiser Academy partners with Howden to provide the Cert CII and the Dip CII with possibilities of higher qualifications after discussion. Our trainer Sam is amazing at supporting us and making sure nobody is left behind with the content as we are learning it/ revising for the exam. He hosts mock reviews, where we go through mock papers together to understand the key tricks the CII throws in to catch you out in the questions. Every Friday, we go through the content at a pace that suits everyone.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Through learning the LM2 content so far, I have found it really helps me understand my role more, as most of the content relates to what I do on a day to day basis.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
I attend the following:
- Visionpath Ambassador: mentor students to help them through their application journey and attend many events to bring the ambassadors together
- Beale & Co Insurance school on a Wednesday for 2 weeks. This helped aid my revision towards the LM2 exam that is coming up, as all of the content comes up in the exam.
- Seminars at DWF and RPC and many more companies to further my knowledge and network.
- Apprentice Socials between my cohort in Howden and other company's cohorts.
Many many more events and opportunities.
- Visionpath Ambassador: mentor students to help them through their application journey and attend many events to bring the ambassadors together
- Beale & Co Insurance school on a Wednesday for 2 weeks. This helped aid my revision towards the LM2 exam that is coming up, as all of the content comes up in the exam.
- Seminars at DWF and RPC and many more companies to further my knowledge and network.
- Apprentice Socials between my cohort in Howden and other company's cohorts.
Many many more events and opportunities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Howden to a friend?
Yes
Why?
- The people first culture is real, not just a value on a website.
- The value the company brings to its clients is top-notch.
- Howden provides the best support for all of its employees no matter what level they are/ stage they're at in their career.
- Everyone is very friendly and willing to talk to you/ help with anything.
And more!!
- The value the company brings to its clients is top-notch.
- Howden provides the best support for all of its employees no matter what level they are/ stage they're at in their career.
- Everyone is very friendly and willing to talk to you/ help with anything.
And more!!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Howden?
Just be yourself throughout the whole process. Many people try and change themselves to fit the exact values of that company, and it will come across as fake. They want the real you, as showing your true personality is so important in this industry, as everyone is so supportive and welcoming. The more normal and yourself you are, the more the conversation will flow and the more your interviewer will remember you. Do not over rehearse your answers, they will seem robotic. Just answer with the first thing that comes to mind when you are asked the question, this will show how you truly think and how you will approach certain situations/ tasks. I have an advice video on my corporate TikTok page izzy_claims07.
