Insurance Graduate Scheme – Claims and Underwriting Management

Scheme summary

• Salary – £30,987 + up to 10% annual bonus + annual pay reviews
• Start date – September 2026
• Scheme length – 3 years
• Location – Stratford upon Avon – hybrid working
• Criteria – minimum degree classification of 2:2, any degree subject.

About the scheme

A career in insurance is more than you might think – it’s a dynamic and impactful field that’s all about putting the customer first. At NFU Mutual, our reputation is built on trust and loyalty, reflected in our market-leading 94–96% customer renewal rate each year. As a mutual, we’re proud to do the right thing by our customers, colleagues and communities, focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term gains. Our graduate scheme is your chance to gain a broad range of skills, develop your insurance expertise, and play a key role in shaping the future success of our business.

Based in our Stratford Head Office, you’ll join either our Claims or Underwriting team. Our Underwriting teams assess and manage insurance risks, helping us offer competitive, bespoke products that meet both our business goals and customer needs. Our Claims teams focus on how we show up for our customers when it matters most – handling complex cases and ensuring we deliver outstanding service. While you’ll gain insight into the operational side of these functions, most of your development will focus on the more strategic areas.

What you can expect

Both schemes give you a hands-on introduction to insurance, rotating through different teams to build a complete understanding of our function and products. You’ll collaborate with regional teams, external suppliers, and our agency network, giving you insight into the full end-to-end process.

You’ll also spend time with operational functions that keep claims and underwriting running smoothly – from automation and systems to complaints handling and resource planning – giving you a deeper understanding of how everything fits together.

Although based at our Stratford Head Office, you’ll also spend time in one of our service centres in York or Bristol, where many front-line Claims and Underwriting teams are based.

Here’s what you can expect to develop:

• Core insurance skills – Build strong foundations in insurance, work towards industry qualifications, and learn NFU Mutual’s principles, products, and ways of working. Explore approaches to claims and underwriting, always keeping the customer at the heart.
• Technical skills – Handle complex cases, identify fraud, and apply best practice, contributing to strategies that make a real impact.
• Management Information & Analytics – Work with data to generate insights that guide decisions and influence strategy.
• Change management – Support projects that streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.

Alongside this, the scheme will:

• Deepen your claims or underwriting expertise with each placement.
• Provide hands-on experience crucial for career progression.
• Offer opportunities to build a strong professional network.
• Help you grow in confidence to contribute ideas, influence decisions, and shape outcomes.
• Develop your stakeholder management skills through collaboration across the business.

In your final year, you’ll create a strategic business plan, putting your skills into practice while developing commercial awareness and leadership potential.

Your Future

These schemes open doors to a wide range of roles, and we’ll work with you to identify the path that’s right for you. You’ll build strong foundations in insurance, working towards Cert CII and Diploma (Dip CII), with the opportunity to progress towards ACII by the end of the programme. You’ll be fully supported with a buddy, mentor, and a strong graduate network. As you near the end, a careers coach will help you plan your next steps.

It’s not all about work either. Graduates are encouraged to get involved in volunteering, charity or social events, and representing NFU Mutual at industry events – all aligned with our ESG framework.

Application Process

If shortlisted, you’ll complete an online assessment designed to measure potential for success, such as your ability to learn and solve problems. The next stage is a short video interview, followed by an in-person assessment centre, including a group exercise, a role-specific exercise, and a skills-based interview. These will take place on 2nd and 5th December.

This vacancy may close early depending on application volumes, so early submission is recommended.

What we\’re looking for

To join this scheme, you’ll need to have obtained, or be working towards, a minimum degree classification of 2.2. You don’t need a degree in a particular area – we’re interested in your passion for learning, curiosity and your potential.

For our Claims and Underwriting schemes, we’ll also be looking out for:

• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Digital literacy skills
• Time management skills
• Teamwork and collaboration skills
• Innovation and creativity

If you’re able to bring these, we can teach you the rest regardless of what degree you studied.

Work experience

If you’ve gained industry experience or completed a placement year during your degree, that’s fantastic! But don’t worry if you haven’t – it’s not a requirement for the scheme. What we do ask for is some previous work experience where you’ve had the opportunity to interact with people.

At NFU Mutual, we support an inclusive workplace and value all the differences that make us unique. We celebrate the creativity and innovation that comes from diverse perspectives and experiences and share a common vision of doing the right thing for our customers and employees.

We recognise that some candidates may experience barriers during the recruitment process. So, we encourage candidates to discuss any adjustments or accommodations they need to be the best they can be throughout our recruitment process.

We\’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Race at Work and Women in Finance Charter signatory and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

Working at NFU Mutual

When you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including:

• Salary £30,987
• Annual bonus (up to 10% of salary)
• Contributory pension scheme, up to 20%, including your 8% contribution
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + buy/sell/save holiday trading scheme
• A Family Friendly policy that helps you balance your work and family responsibilities
• Access to savings at High Street brands, travel and supermarkets
• £20 contribution to a monthly gym membership – subject to T&Cs
• Health and wellbeing plan – cashback for dentist, opticians, physio and more
• Access to voluntary benefits, including health assessments, private medical insurance and dental insurance
• Employee Volunteering – volunteer in the community for one day each year
• Unlimited access to Refer a Friend £500 bonus scheme
• Life Assurance cover of 4 x salary
• Employee discounts of 15% on a range of NFU Mutual insurance policies.