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Resume example

Claims handler resume example

A gestionnaire sinistres steps in when something has gone wrong: a car accident, water damage from the neighbour upstairs, a fire in a workshop, a liability claim against a business.

You open the file, check that the contract covers the event, request documents such as the constat amiable, quotes or police reports, and decide whether to send an expert. For many common cases in France, inter-insurer conventions (IRSA for motor, IRSI for water damage in buildings) set who pays and how much, so knowing them is part of the job. Then you calculate the compensation, apply deductibles and limits, and explain the decision to the policyholder, who is often stressed and sometimes angry. Fraud detection, recovery against third parties and deadlines run through every file.

Resume example

[First name Last name]

Claims Handler | Motor and Property Damage, Inter-insurer Conventions

[City] · [phone] · [email]

Profile

Claims handler for [x] years in property and liability. I manage a portfolio of complex files, appoint and brief experts, negotiate settlements with third parties' insurers and handle recovery actions. Comfortable with large losses and disputed liability.

Experience

Property claims handler, [Insurer], [City]

[month year] to present

  • Managed a portfolio of [x] open claims for homes and small businesses, from opening to settlement
  • Applied IRSI rules to water damage claims in apartment buildings and coordinated with other insurers
  • Briefed loss adjusters on fire and storm claims and reviewed their reports before settlement
  • Explained coverage decisions and refusals to policyholders in writing and by phone
  • Flagged suspicious files to the fraud team and recovered amounts from liable third parties

Resume headlines

  • Claims Handler | Motor and Property Damage, Inter-insurer Conventions
  • Liability Claims Handler | Professional and General Liability, Bodily Injury
  • Claims Officer, Construction | Decennial and Building Damage Insurance

Summaries for your profile

Entry level

Law graduate (licence) with a work-study year in the motor claims department of [Insurer]. I opened files, checked coverage, applied IRSA rules to simple accidents and answered policyholders by phone and email.

Experienced

Claims handler for [x] years in property and liability. I manage a portfolio of complex files, appoint and brief experts, negotiate settlements with third parties' insurers and handle recovery actions. Comfortable with large losses and disputed liability.

Career change

Former building site supervisor moving into construction claims after an insurance training course. I can read a technical report, understand a defect and talk with experts and contractors on equal terms.

Tips

  • Specify the branches you handled: motor, property, liability, construction, health.
  • Indicate the complexity of files: standard, complex, large losses, bodily injury.
  • Mention the conventions you apply and the software you use.
  • Show settlement authority if you had one, as an order of magnitude.
  • Describe recovery and fraud work, which recruiters value highly.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Writing "customer service" when the work was technical claims analysis.
  • Not stating the branch, which leaves the recruiter guessing your level.
  • Ignoring the legal background, even though many handlers come from law.
  • Listing qualities like "empathetic" without a situation to back them.

Working as a claims handler in France

Claims handling is not a regulated profession in France. Most handlers have a law degree (licence or master's in insurance law), a BTS Assurance, or a technical background for specialised branches such as construction or motor. Knowledge of French insurance law and inter-insurer conventions is learned on the job, and written French is essential because decisions are sent in writing. Insurers, mutuals, brokers and claims management companies all recruit. Search for "gestionnaire sinistres", "chargé d'indemnisation", "régleur sinistres", "gestionnaire sinistres IARD" or "gestionnaire sinistres construction".

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Frequently asked questions

Is a law degree required to become a claims handler?

Not formally, but many claims handlers in France have a licence or master's in law, often in insurance law. Others come from a BTS Assurance or from technical trades like construction or car repair, especially for specialised claims. Insurers also train in-house.

How do I show the complexity of my files?

State the branches, the type of losses and your settlement authority level. A handler on simple motor files and one on bodily injury or construction defects do different jobs, and recruiters need to know which one you can take on immediately.

Is technical experience useful for claims roles?

Yes, particularly in construction, motor or industrial risks. A former mechanic, building professional or engineer can assess repairs and challenge expert reports. Present this background clearly and add any insurance training you have completed.

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