How to Become an Insurance Adjuster
If you are interested in exploring an interesting career within the insurance sector, read on to learn how to become an insurance adjuster. The “Insurance Labor Market Study” found that in the U.S. we are facing a massive talent shortage, and this is particularly true in the claims division. This means that if you decide to become an insurance adjuster, you’ll have pretty good chances of finding employment quickly.
What Is an Insurance Adjuster?
An insurance adjuster, also called a claims adjuster, is in charge of investigating and evaluating insurance claims to establish if the insurer has any liability for damages or injuries. Insurance adjusters may work full time exclusively for one insurance company, independently as contractors for multiple insurers, or as a public adjuster on behalf of policyholders.
What Do Insurance Adjusters Do?
Before exploring how to become an insurance adjuster, here are some of the most common duties you’ll perform in this job:
- Manage insurance liability claims by gathering information to determine liability exposure, assign reserve values to claims, making claims payments as necessary, and settling claims up to designated authority levels.
- Assess liability and resolve claims.
- Approve and process assigned claims, determine due benefits, and manage action plans in accordance with the claim or client contract.
- Manage subrogation of claims and negotiate settlements.
- Communicate claim actions with claimants and clients.
- Ensure claim files are properly documented and claim coding is correct.
- Maintain professional client relationships.
How to Become an Insurance Adjuster
The answer to “how to become an insurance adjuster?” varies depending on your state. In many cases a high school diploma or GED might suffice to begin an insurance adjuster career, but with an associate or bachelor's degree you’ll have access to more, better-paid opportunities.
Certain states in the U.S. require that insurance adjusters get a license and follow continuing education courses to keep it. Enrolling in an insurance adjuster school can help you prepare for the state’s exam and keep your license compliant over the years.
Other Insurance Adjuster Requirements
When covering all the basics for how to become an insurance adjuster we must also talk about the skills you should possess, such as:
- Communicative and understanding of the importance of human interaction and building connections quickly.
- Curious and motivated by problem-solving and questioning the status quo.
- Compassionate and able to display true empathy and patience.
- Enjoy conflict and be willing to have “difficult” conversations in a professional manner.
- Use common-sense in balancing the legalities with the practical for resolving claims.
- Display good attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
- Ability to gather and analyze information, then determine and implement the appropriate course of action.
How Much Do Insurance Adjusters Make?
The average insurance adjuster salary is $49,934 per year within a range of $35,910 to $69,006. Your exact salary will be greatly influenced by your specific job responsibilities, location, and your professional experience.
Find out the average pay for insurance adjusters in your area by performing a quick search on our Salary Tool. Free to use, our tool provides salary information for all major job roles and locations across the country and will also suggest potential next steps to take along your career path.
How to Find Insurance Adjusters Jobs
The last step in your journey to answer “how to become an insurance adjuster” is looking for employment. To secure an interview for the job of your dreams, don’t forget to customize your insurance adjuster resume and also write an unique cover letter to give more details about your application.
Because there are a few different types of insurance adjusters and not all perform the same duties, you should always edit your resume and cover letter to reflect what’s requested in each job listing. Doing so tells recruiters that you have read and acknowledged what their organization needs, and that you can also provide it. Make clear which requirements you satisfy and what your core skills are.
If you want to see what a job listing for insurance adjusters looks like or feel ready to apply to some, check out the insurance adjuster jobs on Monster.
Try searching in the top five states with the highest concentration of jobs for insurance adjusters:
The five U.S. metropolitan areas with the most insurance adjuster jobs are:
Increase Your Chances of Finding the Right Job at no Cost
Once you’ve learned exactly how to become an insurance adjuster, we have all the jobs ready for to search. Join Monster today by creating a free profile. Don’t forget to activate the job alerts to remain in the loop about new employment opportunities in your preferred locations or companies, and upload your resume to attract hiring managers interested in professional skills like yours.