Who can become an Insurance Surveyor and Loss Adjustor in India?

Any individual with a degree in engineering, law, accountancy, medicine or other IRDAI-approved disciplines can pursue this career after meeting additional licensing and training requirements.

What are the basic eligibility criteria?

Applicants must possess relevant academic qualifications and complete the mandatory training prescribed by IRDAI through recognized institutions like the Insurance Institute of India.

How do I register with IRDAI?

You must complete IRDAI-prescribed training modules and pass relevant examinations before submitting a licensing application through the IRDAI portal.

What is the structure of the certification exam?

The exam comprises multiple papers including orientation, specialized domain training (Fire, Marine, Motor, Engineering, Miscellaneous), and ethics and conduct modules.

Does IIISLA conduct its own qualifying examination?

No, IIISLA does not conduct its own qualifying exams. The qualifying process is overseen by the Insurance Institute of India (III) and the National Insurance Academy (NIA), which include objective-type examinations and practical training for aspiring surveyors.

Are the IIISLA qualifying subjects part of the IC-series conducted by III?

No, the qualifying subjects specific to insurance surveyors under IIISLA follow the S-series structure (S-01 to S-09), which is separate from the IC-series used for general insurance qualifications under III.

Are mock tests available for S-series subjects like S-01 to S-09?

Yes, mock tests aligned to the S-series subjects (S-01 to S-09) are available on platforms such as InsuranceMockTest.in, specifically designed to support candidates preparing for surveyor qualifications.

What is the syllabus format for S-series papers under IIISLA?

S-series papers under IIISLA typically focus on domain-specific knowledge related to various classes of insurance surveys, such as Fire, Marine, Motor, Engineering, and Miscellaneous, and follow an objective-style format with multiple-choice questions.

Is there a specific syllabus for each specialization?

Yes. Each branch such as Fire, Marine, Engineering, etc., has its own detailed syllabus based on regulatory and technical standards relevant to loss assessment.

Where can I find reliable mock tests for exam preparation?

InsuranceMockTest.in offers structured mock tests, MCQs, FAQs, and exam simulations aligned with the latest IRDAI syllabus, making it ideal for focused preparation.

What training institutes offer certification programs?

The Insurance Institute of India and other IRDAI-approved organizations offer training programs in both online and classroom formats.

What is the format of the training program?

The training includes orientation modules, branch-specific subjects, and compliance studies. Sessions are available as full-time, part-time, or online modules.

How long does it take to complete the entire certification process?

Typically, it takes 3–4 months depending on the program format and exam scheduling. Some candidates may take longer for subject-specific papers.

What is the role of an Insurance Surveyor?

An Insurance Surveyor assesses claims on behalf of insurers, investigates losses, prepares reports, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards.

Is this a freelance or salaried profession?

Surveyors can work independently as licensed professionals or be associated with survey firms and insurance companies. Many operate on a freelance basis.

What kind of challenges do professionals face?

Challenges include navigating complex technical claims, managing regulatory compliance, working under time constraints, and maintaining ethical standards.

What is the earning potential for a Surveyor?

Earnings vary based on experience and specialization. Independent surveyors may earn per assignment, while firm-based professionals may receive monthly compensation.

Can I specialize in multiple domains?

Yes, many professionals obtain certification in multiple branches to expand their scope of work and enhance career opportunities.

What is the renewal process for IRDAI license?

Licensed surveyors must comply with continuing education and submit renewal documentation periodically as per IRDAI guidelines.

Is there any age limit for becoming a surveyor?

There is no strict age limit, though most candidates start in their mid-20s or later once foundational qualifications are complete.

What is the scope of this profession in India?

With growing demand for insurance products and increased claim complexity, the role of licensed surveyors is vital and expanding steadily.

Are foreign nationals eligible?

IRDAI licensing is typically restricted to Indian residents or individuals meeting specific legal and residency criteria under Indian regulations.

Can I practice independently after certification?

Yes, once certified and licensed, surveyors can operate as independent professionals and offer services directly to insurance companies.

Where can I find study material and updates?

Apart from IRDAI’s official website, platforms like InsuranceMockTest.in provide up-to-date study guides, updates, and mock exams tailored to current regulations.

How to pursue a career as an Insurance Surveyor & Loss Accessor?

Who is Insurance Surveyor?

An Insurance Surveyor investigate, quantify, validate and deal with losses and damages to property, life, health etc. arising out of contingency whether covered by insurance or not. Such investigation and validations of losses helps insurance companies to settle insurance claims. An Insurance Surveyor follows established process and procedures in investigation and assessment and requires to carry out its responsibilities with competence, objectivity and professional integrity with strict conformance to the IRDAI’s Code of Conduct.

Insurance Surveyors also known with difference synonymous like “Loss Accessor” or “Loss Surveyor”, “Loss Adjustors” etc. although there is very thin line difference in their job profile, they are recognised as same person in Insurance parlance.

Other Role of insurance surveyors

A surveyor can act both on behalf of insurer or insured or a third party. Apart from investigation of losses (whether claimable or non-claimable) surveyors are also engaged in risk assessment of new proposal where he visit the site and access the probability of losses, assess estimated value, risk control measures, maximum probable loss and other parameters and reports to the Insurer to help him to determine whether to underwrite a risk or not.

Surveyors are also appointed for pre-shipment inspection of cargo in Marine insurance.

They also carry out risk survey and collaborate with risk managers to identify, evaluate, and report risk to other parties such as loss adjusters, underwriters, and even business owners to ensure they are aware of risks that are relevant to them.

Registration & Licence:

No person or a firm or a company shall act as a Surveyor and Loss Assessor without being licensed under Regulation 3 or Regulation 4, as the case may be. Every person intending to act as a Surveyor and Loss Assessor in respect of general insurance business shall apply to the Authority for grant of licence in the Form as may be specified by the Authority.

The license granted shall be valid for a period of three years

Scope

Surveyors and Loss Assessors shall be appointed either by insurers or insured to assess loss under a policy of insurance in respect of

(a) Motor insurance – above Rupees fifty thousand
(b) Other than motor insurance – above Rupees one lakh

Such appointment of a surveyor for assessment of loss shall be made within 72 hours from the time the occurrence of loss was known to the insurer or insured, as the case may be. Notice of such appointment shall be sent in writing to the insurer or insured as the case may be and shall form part of the claims settlement process.

Typical Job Profile:

IRDAI specified duties and responsibilities of Surveyor and Loss Assessor as follows:

maintaining confidentiality and neutrality without jeopardising the liability of the insurer and claim of the insured;
conducting inspection and re-inspection of the property in question suffering a loss;
examining, inquiring, investigating, verifying and checking upon the causes and the circumstances of the loss in question including extent of loss, nature of ownership and insurable interest;
conducting spot and final surveys, as and when necessary and comment upon franchise, excess/under insurance and any other related matter;
estimating, measuring and determining the quantum and description of the subject under loss;
advising the insurer and the insured about loss minimisation, loss control, security and safety measures, wherever appropriate, to avoid further losses;
Commenting on the admissibility of the claim and assessing the liability of the insurer as per the policy terms and conditions;
surveying and assessing the loss on behalf of insurer or insured;
satisfying queries of the insured/insurer and of persons connected thereto in respect of the claim/loss;
recommending applicability of depreciation, percentage and quantum of depreciation;
giving reasons for repudiation of claim, in case the claim is not covered by policy terms and conditions;
taking expert opinion, wherever required;
commenting on salvage and its disposal wherever necessary;

Every surveyor required to carry out his professional work with due diligence, care skill and with proper regard to technical and professional standards expected of him. He should strictly follow the code of conduct stipulated by IRDA while performing his responsibilities and reporting to the insurer.

Qualification and Training required:

Shall be a member of Indian Institute of Insurance Surveyors and Loss Assessors (IIISLA) promoted by IRDAI under Section 14(2)(f) of IRDA Act, 1999 and incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. And shall possess following qualification:

(i) Academic/technical/professional/Insurance Qualifications given in Schedule-I Annexure-1 of these Regulations.
(ii) Other qualifications as may be prescribed by the Authority from time to time. and training required by the IRDAI.

Qualification Criteria for Enrolment and Licensing of Surveyors and Loss Assessors (Regulation 3)

SL. No.	Department	Academic / Technical / Professional / Insurance Qualifications
1	Fire	B.E. / B. Tech. / B.Sc. (Engg.)/ A.M.I.E. or its equivalent, Diploma in Engineering of three years duration; Associate or Fellow members of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India /Institute of Cost Accountants of India, (ICAI), Fellow members of Insurance Institute of India (III), Post Graduate Diploma in Insurance from IIRM; PGDM from National Insurance Academy.
2	Marine Cargo	B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Sc. (Engg.)/ A.M.I.E. or its equivalent thereof (Marine Engineering/ Naval Architecture), / certificate of competency as Master of Ship or as First Class Marine Engineer issued by a recognized authority, Degree or diploma in Naval Architecture of a recognized University or Institute. Diploma in Engineering of three years duration; Associate or Fellow members of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India /Institute of Cost Accountants of India, (ICAI)/III./Post Graduate Diploma in Insurance from IIRM, MBA (Logistics and Supply chain management), PGDM from National Insurance Academy.
3	Marine Hull	B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Sc. (Engg.)/ A.M.I.E. or its equivalent thereof (Marine Engineering/ Naval Architecture)/ certificate of competency as Master of Ship or as First Class Marine Engineer issued by a recognized authority.
4	Engg.	B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Sc. (Engg.)/ A.M.I.E. or its equivalent , Diploma in Engineering of 3 years duration from a recognized institution or its equivalent thereof.
5	Motor	B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Sc. (Engg.)/ A.M.I.E. or its equivalent thereof (Mechanical/ Automobile); Diploma in Mechanical Engineering/ Automobile Engineering of 3 years duration from a recognized institution or its equivalent thereof.
6	Miscellaneous	B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Sc. (Engg.)/ A.M.I.E. or its equivalent; Diploma in Engineering of 3 years duration from a recognized institution or its equivalent; Associate or Fellow Member of ICAI (CA/CMA) Fellow member of., Insurance Institute of India (III) or Post Graduate Diploma in Insurance from IIRM, PGDM from National Insurance Academy.
7	LOP	Fellow members of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India /Institute of Cost Accountants of India, (ICAI), B.Tech/B.E, Diploma in Engg of three years duration.
8	Crop Insurance	B.Sc Agriculture / B.Sc. Horticulture/B.Tech (Agricultural Engineering).

Note:
In order to qualify for enrolment and licensing, an applicant should have secured a degree or diploma of a recognized Institute after attending full time course as a regular student or part time course with equivalency certificate issued by the respective Institute/University.
Provided in case of professional courses viz. A.M.I.E; CA/CMA (ICAI) and I.I.I., course completion certificate is treated as valid qualification.
All technical Degree/Diploma stated above shall be obtained from a. AICTE approved Institutions or b. Universities recognized by University Grants Commission or c. institutions of national importance recognized by Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD).

Examination:

Passing of relevant paper(s) of Surveyor and Loss Assessor Examination conducted by the Insurance Institute of India, or such other Institute recognized by the Authority.

Training:

Practical Training as specified by the Authority from time to time.

Trainee Applicants
A Student Member seeking a licence to act as a Surveyor and Loss Assessor shall enroll with the Authority to pass the examination and shall undergo practical training as specified by the Authority

Process for obtaining qualification, training and Licence:

The 4 major steps involved in the process of obtaining requisite qualification, training and Licence are as below:

Enrolment
The applicant must first log on to the IRDA BAP portal and create their own user ID and password, thereafter submit the Enrolment Application along with the requisite documents and fees.
Examination
Once the registration with IRDAI is complete an eligible candidate shall register for Pre-licensing test for Insurance Surveyors & Loss Assessors to be conducted by Insurance Institute of India,
Training
After clearing exam in the selected line of business, the applicant shall begin training in the mode (Training under Surveyor / Institutional Training) as selected at the time of Enrolment. Such training can be conducted in any of the following mode:
- Training under a registered Surveyor
- Institutional Training (please visit www.coi.org.in or www.niapune.org.in.)

Licence:

On successful completion of training, the Applicant must submit the Fresh Surveyor License application along with the requisite documents with IRDAI on its BAP portal.

Issuance of Surveyor Certificate

Post-submission, and on successful verification, the IRDAI issues the Certificate of Incorporation to the application Surveyor. The registered Surveyor can pursue his profession soon after obtaining the certificate. To apply for the Surveyor Certificate:

Users can create user ID, password and update profile on their own on www.irdabap.org.in
The applicant can apply for fresh corporate surveyor license in FORM – 3AF (ONLINE on www.irdabap.org.in ) which shall be complete in all respects.
Fee to be paid is Rs.5000/- only.
The Corporate Surveyor and Loss Assessor license granted shall be valid for a period of 3 years unless cancelled earlier.

Exam Process and Syllabus:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority has authorized the Institute to conduct the Pre-licensing test for Insurance Surveyors & Loss Assessors, as required by the regulations.

To check eligibility/qualification criteria, visit IRDAI’s website: www.irda.gov.in
This examination will be conducted in online mode in MCQ pattern four times in a year i.e. March/June/September/December.
A candidate has to achieve 60% correct answers as the passing percentage is 60% (i.e. 60 marks out of 100 marks).
Persons enrolled with the IRDAI as trainee surveyors, (As per guidelines received from IRDAI Circular Ref: IRDA/SUR/GDL/MISC/288/12/2020 Dt. 01.12.2021.) are eligible to appear in the Pre-licensing test for Insurance Surveyors and Loss Assessors.
Candidates can register, enroll & book the slot/subject and make the payment for Surveyor Examination/ Papers through the online option available on I.I.I. website.
The registration fee for fresh candidates (one time) is Rs.500/- and the exam fee is Rs.500/- per subject plus service tax which is applicable.

Pre-licensing tests for Insurance Surveyors

Section	Sub. No.	Title and Branch	Suggested Reading
Section I	S–01	Principles and Practice of General Insurance and Insurance Survey and Loss Assessment	S-01
Section II	S–02	Fire Insurance	IC 56
	S–03	Marine Cargo	IC 60, IC 66
	S–04	Marine Hull	IC 70
	S–05	Engineering Insurance	IC 77
	S–06	Motor Insurance	IC 72
	S–07	Miscellaneous Insurance	IC 78
	S–08	Loss of Profits	IC 57
	S–09	Crop Insurance	S-09

(Check our Mock-test available for these Suggested readings)

Further information

Detailed information regarding syllabus, enrolment, examination fees, dates, etc., is posted on the Institute’s website www.insuranceinstituteofindia.com as well as on the IRDAI’s website www.irda.gov.in.

🎯 Start Your Free Mock Tests