Have you ever felt like you're hearing two completely different stories at the same time? On one hand, you hear about layoffs and economic uncertainty. On the other, you see "Help Wanted" signs everywhere.
Well, it turns out the insurance world is having one of those moments right now.
A brand-new survey just dropped from The Jacobson Group and Aon’s Strategy and Technology Group, and it gives us a fantastic look under the hood of what’s really going on with hiring in our industry. And let me tell you, it’s a mixed bag of good news and some serious challenges.
The big headline is that things are looking up. About half of all insurance companies are planning to add more people to their teams over the next year. That’s a pretty optimistic outlook, especially compared to the last few years. But here’s where it gets interesting: the real story is in the details.
So, Who’s Actually Hiring?
It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. The desire to hire really depends on what kind of company you're looking at.
Life & Health carriers are feeling particularly ambitious, with a whopping 65% of them planning to expand their headcount. That's a huge signal of confidence in that part of the market.
Over in the Property & Casualty world, the growth is a bit more measured, but it’s definitely there. Commercial P&C companies are leading the pack, projecting a 1.44% increase in staff. Personal lines are a little more conservative at 0.85% growth. It makes sense, right? The commercial space is complex and often requires more specialized hands on deck.
But the most surprising tidbit for me was the breakdown by company size. You might think the giant, household-name carriers would be doing the most hiring, but that's not what the numbers show. It’s actually the medium-sized companies (those with 300 to 1,000 employees) that are the most bullish. A full 61% of them are looking to add staff.
They seem to have hit a sweet spot—big enough to be growing, but small enough to still be nimble. Large companies are being more cautious, with only 38% planning to increase their teams.
The "Why" Behind the Hiring Spree
So, what’s driving all this? It’s actually a pretty simple and positive reason: business is good.
The number one reason companies are hiring is that they’re expanding and their volume of work is increasing. It’s the classic “good problem to have.” About 30% of companies pointed to growing business needs, and another 24% said they’re expanding into new markets.
This lines up with the fact that 72% of companies expect their revenue to grow this year. They’re not just hiring to replace people who’ve left; they’re hiring to fuel actual growth. And that’s a great sign for the health of our industry.
The Most In-Demand Jobs Right Now
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. If you’re looking for a job or thinking about a career move, where should you be looking? The survey gives us some crystal-clear answers.
Across the board, the hottest roles are in:
- Technology: This is no surprise. Every carrier is in a race to modernize, digitize, and leverage data. From software developers to cybersecurity experts, tech talent is gold right now. The report even notes that the biggest need for executives is in the tech department.
- Claims: This is the heart and soul of what we do. When things go wrong, the claims team is on the front line. As business volume grows, you simply need more skilled people to handle claims efficiently and keep customers happy.
- Underwriting: The gatekeepers of risk. Good underwriters are the foundation of a profitable insurance company. As carriers expand into new products or territories, they need sharp underwriters to make smart decisions.
For Life & Health carriers, the focus is slightly different, leaning heavily on Technology and Operations. Meanwhile, if you’re an experienced professional in compliance, analytics, or underwriting, you are in a very good position. The demand for seasoned experts in these areas is intense.
Here’s the Catch: The Talent Gap is Getting Wider
Now for the other side of the story. While companies have their checkbooks out, ready to hire, they’re finding that the talent pool is looking a little shallow.
Finding the right person has become a real struggle.
One in five companies now say that hiring is more difficult than it was just a year ago. That’s a significant jump. And the pain is especially sharp in the Life & Health sector, where 30% of carriers are feeling the recruiting crunch.
The problem isn't a shortage of people, but a shortage of specific skills. The roles that are consistently the hardest to fill are the highly specialized ones:
- Actuarial
- Executive
- Analytics
These positions have been at the top of the "hardest to fill" list for five surveys in a row. Think about it—these are the jobs that require a unique blend of deep technical knowledge, business acumen, and strategic thinking. You can’t just train someone for these roles in a few weeks.
This mismatch between the skills companies need and the skills available in the market is creating a major bottleneck. It’s one thing to have a brilliant growth strategy; it’s another thing entirely to find the people you need to actually execute it.
The New Battleground: Your Couch vs. The Office
So, in this fierce competition for talent, how are companies trying to stand out? One of the biggest differentiators has become workplace flexibility.
The verdict is in: hybrid work is not a fad. It’s the new normal.
A massive 71% of companies expect their employees to be on a hybrid schedule for the foreseeable future. Only 7% are requiring people to be in the office five days a week. While that’s up slightly from last year, it shows the overwhelming majority of the industry has embraced flexibility.
But again, the details matter. L&H carriers are a bit more traditional, with 88% requiring at least some weekly office time, compared to 76% of P&C companies.
Looking ahead, don’t expect a massive "return to office" push. 95% of companies said they plan to keep their current policies. The takeaway is clear: if you’re a carrier trying to attract top-tier talent in analytics or tech, forcing a five-day-a-week commute is going to be a tough sell.
At the end of the day, the insurance industry is in a fascinating spot. We’re growing, we’re innovating, and we need more smart people than ever. But the challenge is no longer just about offering a good salary. It’s about finding those rare, specialized skills and creating a culture—whether in-office or hybrid—where the best people want to stay and build their careers. The companies that solve that puzzle are the ones that will truly thrive.
