Claims Adjuster Career Specializations
Most claims adjusters have areas of specialization such as workers compensation,
homeowner claims, business losses or automotive damage. Though the majority of claims
adjusters are employed by insurance companies there are a few public adjusters.
These persons are often brought in by the insured person who is not comfortable
relying upon the insurance companies claims adjuster. A public adjuster may have
several areas of specialization.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
A Claims Adjuster's job duties and responsibilities are determined for the most
part by the company policy. However the claims adjuster usually has the responsibility
of investigating and making a determination of the legitimacy of insured or injured
person's claims. In most companies a claims adjuster will handle claims within
their area of specialization and usually the handle simplest claims from individuals.
Work Environment
The environment in which a claims adjuster may find themselves will vary upon their
position and their employment. Since claims adjusters often work on-site they may
come to the office in the morning and received their assignments of the day, or
call into the office to receive assignments and then proceed to investigate the
claim on site. Many times a claims adjuster may find themselves within the office
only a few hours a week, or some work completely from home or from their mobile
office in their automobile. Sometimes in the case of disasters a claims adjuster
may be away from home for periods up to several weeks.
Employment Outlook and Opportunities
A claims adjuster will most often find employment with insurance carriers, insurance
agencies and brokerages 7/10 claims adjusters are employed by these types of companies.
Relatively few insurance adjusters are self-employed a few are employed by private
adjuster companies.
The potential for job growth for the claims adjuster profession is about average
however, competition for the job is expected to be high despite the predicted 9%
job growth rate within the field.
How much does a Claims Adjuster make - Claims Adjuster Salaries and Wages
Earnings for Claims Adjuster with 1 to 4 years experience are reported to
range from $35,650 to $4,863.
Earnings for Claims Adjuster with 5 to 9 years experience are reported to
range from $41,273 to $52,216 annually.
Earnings for Claims Adjuster with 10 to 19 years experience are reported
to range from $47,604 to $61,180 per year.
How to Become a Claims Adjuster
Education for Claims Adujusters
Educational requirements for the job of claims adjuster vary with the company employing
the adjuster. However, according to a US Department of Labor survey 45% of all employed
claims adjusters held a bachelor's degree. Because of the about average growth of
the claims adjuster profession and the expected competition, this number is expected
to rise.
Certain degrees can be an asset to the person planning a career as a claims adjuster.
The person with an architecture degree or an engineering degree might fit perfectly
for a claims adjuster specializing in industrial claims. A person with an accounting
background might well fit into adjusting claims of loss due to strike or mechanical
breakdown in companies, and a medical background can be useful in adjusting claims
for medical and life insurance.
Other Qualifications
Claims Adjusters usually work quite closely with the public should have good communication
skills and be at ease in a variety of situations.
Career Advancement
Certain States have many licensure requirements in terms of education and other
states have few or none. In certain states claims adjusters who work for insurance
companies may have no need to obtain their own license. In addition certain states
require continuing education credits to keep the license current.
To investigate educational opportunities for a Claims Adjuster career you can use
the handy links provided on this site.
Claims Adjusters Resources
National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters
American Association of Independent Claims
Professionals