History

About this teaching resource:

This lesson will explore the development of the modern insurance industry. Students will investigate the origins of insurance looking as far back as the Babylonians in 1750 BC. They will discover the beginnings of modern insurance focusing on property and business insurance, national insurance and life and accident insurance. By delivering a presentation, students will gain a deeper understanding as well as developing their presentation, team work and communication skills. There will also be an opportunity to practice an exam question to apply their knowledge of the historical events from the 1600s to 1900s to the modern insurance industry.

The insurance industry is a great place to start and grow a career. The different careers available including insurance broker, insurance underwriter and claims adjuster that all require a variety of different skills. The study of history provides students with the skills needed in these careers, such as: critical and analytical thinking, evaluating evidence, considering different points-of-view, writing ability, cultural competence, and project management.

In our increasingly changing world, the insurance industry values employees from a diverse academic background with many employers offering tailored graduate schemes. There are various opportunities to start a career in insurance without a degree with entry-level jobs and apprenticeships including a Level 4 Insurance Professional or Level 6 Senior Insurance Professional apprenticeships. Please click here to find out more about careers in insurance.

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Exam board

A-Level

National Curriculum

  • Change and/or development over a period of time sufficient to demonstrate understanding of the process of change, both long term (normally at least 100 years) and short term.
  • Analyse and evaluate the causes and consequences of historical events and situations, and changes and developments in the periods and/or themes studied.

AQA

  • 1F Industrialisation and the people: Britain, c1783–1885
  • 1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851–1964

OCR

  • Y109 The Making of Georgian Britain 1678–c.1760
  • Y111 Enquiry topic: England and a New Century c.1900–1918

Edexcel

  • 1C: Britain, 1625–1701: conflict, revolution and settlement
  • 34.1: Industrialisation and social change in Britain, 1759–1928: forging a new society

Estimated teaching time: 60 mins

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