Insurance Adjuster Jobs: Overview
An insurance adjuster's responsibility is to investigate insurance claims for insurance companies to decide what kind of coverage the policyholder should receive. They assess the damage and negotiate settlements. Having an insurance adjuster job typically means working in an office from 9 - 5 p.m., though field adjusters may have more flexible hours and may spend their time visiting locations and inspecting damages in order to gather evidence.
Here are some responsibilities of an insurance adjuster:
- Investigate and process claims.
- Interview claimants to gather information.
- Consult hospital or police records as evidence.
- Evaluate damages to determine the compensation amount.
- Present claims to insurance companies
Salary for Insurance Adjuster Jobs
The median salary for an insurance adjuster or claims adjuster is $50,473, with a low end of $36,020 and a high end of $69,487. Salaries will depend on your education, experience, and the city you live in and its cost of living. Some cities that pay on the higher end include New York City, which pays $60,082, and Los Angeles, which pays $57,237. To find more information on insurance adjuster salaries or salaries for related jobs, use the Monster's Salary Tool.
Finding Insurance Adjuster Jobs
To find insurance adjuster jobs, you will need to specify your own career goals, your interests, and your strengths. Research the different roles that insurance adjusters can take on, such as property, liability, auto, and more. By finding out what each is responsible for, you can zero in on finding the right insurance adjuster job for your needs.
Other factors to consider are whether you want a flexible schedule, a field position, or a standard 9-5 position. Think about what kind of opportunities you'll need for growth, too. Some job descriptions will include "opportunities for career advancement," for example.
Review the Job Description
Review the job description and determine what qualifications the job description is looking for. If it's an insurance adjuster for a medical company, you may need to be familiar with medical terminology, for instance. You may also need to be familiar with your state's Workers' Compensation Act and other laws that apply to insurance claims. If you don't have your insurance adjuster license, consider taking the required courses to get it.
Besides the qualifications, there are other details in the job description you should pay attention to. Does the job want you to travel to a site for some time or will you be on the desk insurance adjusting team? If you need to be on a claims site for weeks at a time, it may be hard to keep a healthy work-life balance.
Research the Company
Once you have read the job description, research the company. Find out what the company's philosophy is and what kinds of claims they handle. For insurance adjuster jobs, it may be a good idea to read reviews from policyholders to see how their claims are handled. This will give you a good idea of the company's reputation and track record.
Read the company's social media pages, blog pages, or even newsletters. See what kinds of achievements the company boasts about. Some companies make the list of "Great Places to Work." This is always a good sign.
How to Apply to Insurance Adjuster Jobs
Insurance adjuster jobs are typically quite specific about the types of claims you should be familiar with. They may want you to have in-depth knowledge of property insurance, auto insurance, or medical insurance. Within those categories, see if your skills match.
How much do you know about loss assessment, insurance regulations, and coverage evaluation? Identify your key skills and qualifications so that you can list them in your application.
Create an Effective Resume
Did you come across an insurance adjuster job that piques your interest? To apply, start by creating a top-notch resume. Keep these tips in mind:
- Job descriptions usually use resume keywords when listing the skills and qualifications they're looking for. Keywords for insurance adjuster jobs may include "specialty claims," "settlement," "insurance claims," and more. Copy these keywords from the job description, and paste them into your resume. This will ensure recruiters can find your resume in their database.
- List your skills in bullet points, and be specific about the outcomes you achieved with specific cases.
- If you resolved any complex claims, be sure to highlight this.
- List your specific software skills, such as claims management systems.
- To emphasize that your knowledge is ever-growing, briefly expand on your education, your certifications, and any insurance adjuster courses you're currently taking.
Here is a sample of a insurance claims processor resume. Notice how the example emphasizes the outcomes with bullet lists. For more help with your resume, take a look at our professional resume writing services. We will help you stand out from the crowd!
Write a Compelling Cover Letter
You may not need a cover letter for your job application, but it's always a good idea to have one. Having a compelling cover letter can separate your application from the rest, especially if you find a way to stand out.
To create a professional cover letter for an insurance adjuster job, you want to keep these basic guidelines in mind:
- Greeting: Make sure to address your cover letter to the person in the job description. Try to personalize your greeting and avoid using "To Whom It May Concern."
- Opening: Show your passion and enthusiasm for the job, complement the company, and state why you're a great fit. Portray yourself as a solution to the company.
- Hook: Highlight your achievements and emphasize how they relate to this job, but don't regurgitate your resume. Offer a different angle or an in-depth explanation.
- Skills: Talk about your certifications, related skills, and any software that you know.
- Close: Recap your skills and achievements briefly, and leave your contact information.
Be brief and professional, but make sure to hook them with your past achievements. Tailor your skills to their company and highlight any certifications or software knowledge.
Submit Your Application
Once you have completed your resume and cover letter, create a free account at Monster. After you set up your profile and add your contact details, you can submit your application with a simple click of a button to any insurance adjuster jobs you feel qualified for. As a bonus, we will email you the latest job openings in your field so you can be one of the first to apply.
How to Follow up With an Employer
If you haven't heard back after you submitted your insurance adjuster application, wait for two weeks and then follow up with an email. Address the email to the hiring manager in the job description. If there isn't a hiring manager listed, visit the company's website and see if the hiring manager's email is listed on the site. Sometimes, a general job query email is listed instead.
Keep your email brief, professional, and polite. Remind them of your insurance adjuster skills as well as any certifications and software knowledge you possess. Highlight your strongest points and then provide your contact information.
Interviewing Tips
When a recruiter or company contacts you for an insurance adjuster interview, you've done a good job with your resume and cover letter. The next step is to ace the interview. Here are some important interviewing tips to remember.
Prepare for the Interview
To prepare for the interview, research the insurance company and the job position thoroughly. Go through the company's website to understand its values and culture. Make sure you understand the job position, too. What kind of responsibilities will you have daily?
Try to prepare for different types of interviews, such as a video conference call, a phone interview, or an in-person interview. There may be a behavioral interview - to see how well you fit into the company's culture - or there may be a competency-based interview. Try to be prepared for everything.
Think about the kinds of questions the hiring manager may ask, and practice answering them. One of the best ways to answer interview questions is by using the STAR technique. The STAR technique is broken down into four parts:
- Situation
- Task
- Action
- Result
Describe the insurance claims situation, the task you were given, the action you took, and the result you achieved. Remember to turn a negative into a positive and to be specific about your insurance claims cases. Here are some questions you may get in an interview:
- Give an example of a claim you handled well. What was your approach?
- Do you have a specific method of handling challenging claims?
- Why do you enjoy handling insurance claims?
- Have you had to deal with fraudulent insurance claims? How did you handle the situation?
Follow Up
Once you have gone through one round or several rounds of interviews, wait for about two weeks before following up. If you haven't heard back in two weeks, write a follow-up email to the hiring manager or recruiter who conducted the interview.
Here are some important things to include in your follow-up email:
- Recap what you discussed in the interview.
- Reiterate your interest in the insurance adjuster job.
- Highlight your specific skills, certifications, and qualifications.
- Provide your contact information.
- Thank the interviewer.
What to Do When You Get an Insurance Adjuster Offer
Getting an offer is exciting, and you should thank the company immediately. The next step is to ask for a little time to review the offer. Make sure the salary matches your needs and is comparable to the salaries of insurance adjusters in your city. If you need to negotiate a higher salary, don't be afraid to do so.
Next, look at the benefits and your job responsibilities as an insurance adjuster. If you need more clarification about your responsibilities, ask. Inquire about career advancement opportunities, too. Are there opportunities to become a senior insurance adjuster? What about ongoing training opportunities to keep you up-to-date with insurance regulations?
If you are happy with the offer after reviewing all the details, accept it quickly. If you need to decline, send a polite and brief email immediately.
Career Paths for Insurance Adjuster Jobs
The typical career paths for an insurance adjuster can vary. However, here are some options:
Decide What Your Career Path Should Be
Deciding which career path to follow in the field of insurance adjusting is challenging because the fields are quite different. However, find out where your interests lie. Is it in property, automotive, or liability? If you have a passion for real estate, a property insurance adjuster can be a great place to start. You can also consider interning under an insurance adjuster in different fields to determine where your interests lie.
Professional Development and Networking Opportunities
In order to network and develop professionally, insurance adjusters can join professional associations, such as the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters (NAIIA) or the Association of Claims Professionals (ACP). Members can attend networking events, continue their education with workshops, and even score discounts.
Every state has different licensing requirements for insurance adjusters. Read up on your state's requirements to see if you have checked all the boxes. If you are a licensed insurance adjuster, remember to keep your license current. There are also skills and additional certifications that may be essential for insurance adjuster jobs. Some include State Farm Certification and the claims writing software Xactimate.
The Future of the Insurance Adjuster Industry
Similar Occupations to Insurance Adjuster Jobs
Like insurance adjusters, the jobs below deal with processing claims and determining how much claimants should receive.