Have you ever...
had your electronics or sports equipment stolen?
had a fire or flood in your home?
been in a car accident?
had to spend time in the hospital?
These situations can be stressful, scary, confusing, and costly and usually involve some combination of police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, and EMTs.
One group of insurance professionals that are always involved, but don't always get talked about, is claims adjusters.
Roles and Responsibilities
So what do insurance claims adjusters do?
Adjusters are responsible for evaluating insurance claims for property damage or personal injury to determine:
cause
coverage
cost
liability
As part of their investigation, they might inspect a home, business, or automobile, or get help from contractors, engineers, or other experts.
Adjusters interview the policyholder and any available witnesses. Additional research usually includes reviewing photos, repair estimates, and police reports.
.
Quiz
What are claims adjusters responsible for figuring out? Select all that apply.
Work Environment, Training, and Pay
Where and when do claims adjusters work?
Most claims adjusters work in an office, Monday through Friday.
More experienced adjusters may be required to inspect properties or have meetings in the evenings, on weekends, or on very short notice, so their schedules are more variable.
What do claims adjusters need to know?
Most companies require at least a high school diploma but may prefer a college graduate or someone with previous industry experience.
Construction, plumbing, roofing, electrical or car repair experience is also helpful, but training will be provided once you're hired.
How much do claims adjusters make?
In May 2021, the median annual wage for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators in the U.S. was $65,080. This is well above the median average annual wage for all occupations of $45,760.
In Canada, the average base salary is $61,718.
Quiz
What are some important skills for claims adjusters to have? Select all that apply.
Scenario
Who claims to be the best adjuster?
Dewey Fixit
Gets straight to work cleaning up the damage and making repairs
Rob Bernecker
Posts photos of the damage online before starting his investigation
Kasie Closed
Approves the repair payment for the damage before figuring out who or what is responsible
Izzie O'Kay
Shows empathy and kindness, but stays focused on the details
Quiz
Who would make the best claims adjuster?
Love It or Hate It
Pros
Claims adjusters help people in their time of need
Every day, and every claim, is different
Receive valuable knowledge and insight about home ownership
Low barrier to entry
Cons
Highly stressful, highly emotional work environment
Claims follow a similar pattern and may feel monotonous after a time
Declining job prospects due to automation in the insurance industry
Why it's a good opportunity
Claims adjusters receive valuable education and insight on all kinds of property ownership. They also learn the art of negotiation, as well as financial and project management. Finally, you get the opportunity to help people in really meaningful ways.
Why you should keep looking
While the overall employment of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators is projected to decline 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, job prospects could change in the future due to (unfortunately) more natural disasters, for example.
Take Action
If you've made it this far, insurance might be the career for you!
There are local and national insurance providers with offices all over your country. There are also many different policy and coverage types to specialize in, such as:
auto
home
life
health
disability
long-term care
...and more!
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