Start Your Future in Insurance
EXPLORE CAREERS IN INSURANCE, HELP CLIENTS MANAGE RISK, AND GET PAID WHILE YOU LEARN
The INCAP Insurance Associate Apprenticeship Program (AP) gives high school students real-world experience inside the insurance industry while building professional skills that apply across business and financial services careers. Apprentices learn how insurance helps individuals, families, and businesses manage risk while gaining exposure to customer service, underwriting, claims, benefits, and agency operations.
Support clients and insurance professionals in day-to-day operations
Learn how policies, claims, risk management, and insurance products work
Build professional skills in communication, technology, and customer service
Explore multiple insurance career pathways before graduation
What You'll Earn
- High school diploma with Employment Honors Plus seal
- INCAP credential, recognized by businesses in Indiana
- Certified Insurance Service Representative designation
Is This Apprenticeship Right For You?
This could be a great fit if you…
Enjoy helping people solve problems and make informed decisions
Pay attention to details and enjoy organized work
Are interested in business, finance, entrepreneurship, insurance, or risk management
What You'll Actually Do
HELP CLIENTS UNDERSTAND AND MANAGE THEIR INSURANCE NEEDS
Answer basic customer questions
Assist with policy servicing activities
Support client communications and relationship management
Learn how insurance professionals help protect people and businesses
LEARN HOW INSURANCE HELPS PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES MANAGE RISK
Explore personal and commercial insurance products
Understand risk management concepts
Learn how coverage recommendations are made
Support policy review and documentation activities
GET EXPOSURE TO KEY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
Earn underwriting fundamentals
Understand the claims process
Assist with information gathering and documentation
Explore how insurance decisions are evaluated and processed
KEEP INFORMATION SECURE AND OPERATIONS RUNNING SMOOTHLY
Use agency management and customer relationship systems
Maintain accurate records
Follow compliance requirements
Apply cybersecurity and data privacy practices
WORK AS PART OF AN INSURANCE TEAM AND BUILD REAL-WORLD SKILLS
Communicate professionally with clients and coworkers
Practice teamwork and collaboration
Build confidence, responsibility, and workplace professionalism
Develop technology and business skills used throughout the industry
HELP CLIENTS UNDERSTAND AND MANAGE THEIR INSURANCE NEEDS
Answer basic customer questions
Assist with policy servicing activities
Support client communications and relationship management
Learn how insurance professionals help protect people and businesses
LEARN HOW INSURANCE HELPS PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES MANAGE RISK
Explore personal and commercial insurance products
Understand risk management concepts
Learn how coverage recommendations are made
Support policy review and documentation activities
GET EXPOSURE TO KEY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
Earn underwriting fundamentals
Understand the claims process
Assist with information gathering and documentation
Explore how insurance decisions are evaluated and processed
KEEP INFORMATION SECURE AND OPERATIONS RUNNING SMOOTHLY
Use agency management and customer relationship systems
Maintain accurate records
Follow compliance requirements
Apply cybersecurity and data privacy practices
WORK AS PART OF AN INSURANCE TEAM AND BUILD REAL-WORLD SKILLS
Communicate professionally with clients and coworkers
Practice teamwork and collaboration
Build confidence, responsibility, and workplace professionalism
Develop technology and business skills used throughout the industry
Typical Apprenticeship Timeline
11th Grade
3 days/week at employer and 2 days/week in school
Paid work $10-15/hour
Summer
Summer hours are highly encouraged and should be agreed upon between the apprentice and employer
Paid work $10-15/hour
12th Grade
4 days/week at employer and 1 day/week in school
Paid work $10-15/hour
At completion, graduates have three options
Start your career in Insurance
Continue learning in college
Keep training in an INCAP adult program
Schedules may vary based on your employer.
Real Jobs You Can Land After This Program
Depending on which specialized insurance pathway is pursued in their second year, Insurance Associate apprentices may qualify for a wide range of insurance positions. Common roles INCAP graduates are prepared for include:
Enrollment Specialist
Benefits Service Representative
Claims Intake Specialist
Risk Management Assistant
Underwriting Assistant
- And many more
Trusted by Insurance Employers
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Apprenticeship spots are limited and based on where you live, and opportunities are not listed online. Your school counselor or regional INCAP Connector can help you explore your options.
Common Questions
Program Basics
How much do Insurance Associate apprentices get paid?
INCAP Insurance Associate apprentices typically earn between $10 and $15 per hour, with the exact rate depending on the business. Because Insurance Associate apprentices are employees of the company, they fall under their employer's policies for benefits, performance reviews, and pay increases over time.
When does the apprenticeship start and how long does it last?
Students begin exploring insurance careers as early as 8th and 9th grade through career exploration activities and planning with their school counselor. Students apply and interview when they’re in 10th grade.
The INCAP Insurance Associate apprenticeship officially begins in 11th grade and lasts two years.
What does a typical weekly schedule look like?
An INCAP Insurance Associate apprentice follows a weekly schedule that changes over time as apprentices gain experience:
11th grade: Three days per week at their employer, with the other two days at school
Summer after 11th grade: Summer hours are highly encouraged and should be agreed upon between the apprentice and employer
12th grade: Four days per week at their employer, with one day at school
When Insurance Associate apprentices are on-site, the goal is six-hour days, typically sometime between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., with schedules set in coordination with their employer. Students and employers work together to identify schedules that meet both parties' needs, allowing students to potentially continue participating in extracurricular activities, including those that take place during the summer.
What is the work environment like?
INCAP Insurance Associate apprentices work in real insurance settings such as insurance agencies, brokerages, carriers, and benefits organizations. The environment is professional and customer-focused, where apprentices work alongside licensed insurance agents, underwriters, claims professionals, benefits specialists, and other insurance industry personnel.
Insurance Associate apprentices should be comfortable working in a corporate setting that requires attention to detail, professional communication, and excellent customer service.
What You'l Learn & Earn
What skills will I learn?
As part of the INCAP Insurance Associate apprenticeship, you'll learn a mix of insurance, professional, and business skills that prepare you for careers across the insurance industry.
Insurance-specific skills: policy servicing, risk management, underwriting fundamentals, claims processes, and insurance products
Compliance & security skills: data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory awareness
Professional skills: communication, customer service, teamwork, and workplace professionalism
Technology skills: agency systems, customer relationship management tools, and digital business platforms
What classes will I take?
Students are not required to take any insurance-specific courses at their high school, but it is recommended that they take coursework in areas such as mathematics, communication, marketing, business, and technology to build a strong foundation for success. The only requirement is that you are able to complete the high school classes you need to graduate and fulfill the work-based learning hours required by the apprenticeship.
What will I earn when I complete the apprenticeship?
Through this apprenticeship, students will meet the key requirements for Indiana’s new Employment Honors Plus diploma seal: completing at least 650 hours of work-based learning and earning an INCAP credential, which is recognized by the Indiana Department of Education as a Credential of Value. The diploma seal and the INCAP credential are recognized by businesses across Indiana as indicators of industry experience, and the INCAP credential may count toward college credit in a related degree program.
Insurance Associate apprentices will also complete the Certified Insurance Service Representative designation in their first year and pursue an additional designation or credential in their second year.
What Happens Next
What jobs can I get after completing the Insurance Associate apprenticeship?
Depending on which specialized insurance pathway is pursued in their second year, graduates of the INCAP Insurance Associate apprenticeship may qualify for positions such as:
Enrollment Specialist
Benefits Service Representative
Claims Intake Specialist
Risk Management Assistant
Underwriting Assistant
And many more
Many Insurance Associate apprentices are hired directly by their employer or continue working within insurance after graduation.
What are my options after the program?
After completing an INCAP Insurance Associate apprenticeship, you have several options:
- Start working full-time in insurance
- Go to college and potentially finish a business- or insurance-related degree faster with earned credits for your INCAP credential
- Continue with the INCAP Career Program for adults to work toward a professional degree equivalent to an academic bachelor’s degree
The Insurance Associate apprenticeship helps students build a strong foundation within multiple careers in insurance and business.
Applying And Getting Started
When should I start preparing for this apprenticeship?
You can start preparing for an INCAP Insurance Associate apprenticeship in 9th and 10th grades by exploring careers, attending career-related events, and talking with your school counselor.
If you’re interested in a Insurance Associate apprenticeship, you should work with your school counselor to update your four-year graduation plan. Then, you can apply for available apprenticeships.
Because opportunities vary by location and are not listed online, your local INCAP Connector and school counselor will guide you through the application process and help you find available openings.
How do I find available apprenticeship opportunities?
Insurance Associate apprenticeship opportunities are not listed online and vary by location. To find available opportunities, talk to your local INCAP Connector or school counselor.
Where can I find more detailed information about this program?
If you or your family wants a deeper look at the INCAP Insurance Associate apprenticeship, you can review the full occupation profile and a detailed student journey, which walks you through what to expect from early career exploration through graduation.
- Occupation Profile (PDF, 2 pages)
- Student Journey at a Glance (PDF, 2 pages)
These documents include detailed information about responsibilities, schedule, requirements, and career pathways.