5 Steps to Become an Insurance Adjuster:
Ready to begin your insurance adjuster career, but uncertain how to start? Follow AdjusterPro's 5 step guide and begin your insurance claims adjuster career today!
Step 1: Determine Which Adjuster License you Need
Find your home state's adjuster license requirement by selecting your state (Note: If your home state does not license adjusters, consider obtaining either a Texas or Florida non-resident license to serve as your default "home" state license) -
Q. Do I really need a license to be a claims adjuster?
A. Yes. Without a license, a would-be insurance adjuster will encounter severe limitations as to where and for whom he or she can adjust claims. Having an insurance adjuster license, even if your home state does not require one, will achieve the following:
- Increase Professional Credibility. All things being equal, employers will favor a licensed claims adjuster over an unlicensed adjuster every time. Having a license legitimizes your application - demonstrating you have done appropriate due diligence in your new career path.
- Increase Your Knowledge of Insurance Policy. Preparing for an insurance adjuster licensing exam or taking an adjuster licensing course will require you to understand a wide spectrum of insurance policies and principles and apply them within the context of an insurance claim. Knowing how to read and apply insurance policies is an absolute necessity when you the hit the field.
- Work Almost Anywhere. Having an adjuster license in state like Texas or Florida will greatly increase your overall geographic range of operation. These states enjoy excellent reciprocity with other state licenses nationwide and are favored by those who hire and fire in the industry.
Step 2: Take a Pre-Licensing Course or Study for Your State's Exam
- For Texas residents, take an All-Lines Adjuster PreLicensing Course Online or in a Classroom.
- For Florida residents, take the Certified Adjuster Designation Course Online or in a Classroom.
- For Georgia residents, take the Georgia 40 Hour PreLicensing Course Online.
- For Indiana residents, take the Indiana 40 Hour PreLicensing Course Online or in a Classroom.
- For residents of states that do NOT license adjusters, consider either the Texas or Florida course above. Non-licensing states are as follows: Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- For residents of states that do license adjusters but do not offer prelicensing, consider an Exam Study Program to assist you in preparing for your home state's exam.
Q. What is the difference between a prelicensing course and an exam study program?
A. A prelicensing course, such as the online or classroom Texas All-Lines PreLicensing course actually serves as a substitute for the Texas state adjuster exam. Once you have completed the course, no further testing or coursework is required. Thats great news becase passing state exams can be difficult. Unfortunately, only a couple states - Texas and Florida - offer such an opportunity (Georgia requires both a prelicensing course and the Georgia state exam).
In other states where no prelicensing course is available, your best recourse is to thoroughly prepare for the state exam. In our partnership with Insurance Schools, AdjusterPro offers the most comprehensive line-up of state adjuster exam study guides available to get you ready.
Step 3: Submit Your Licensing Application
Once you've completed your prelicensing course or state exam, its time to apply for your license. Select the state you're applying to from the State drop-down box in Step 1.
Q. How long does it take the state to process the application and when do I receive the license?
A.This will vary from state to state. In Texas and Florida, where thousands of applications are processed yearly, the turnaround time is typically 3 to 5 weeks.
Q. What if I have a criminal conviction on record?
A. Each application is reviewed according to its own merits and there are no hard and fast rules concerning convictions. However, most states at least suggest that of non-violent offenses, those related to fraud and/or betrayal of public trust are taken most seriously. Contact a representative from your state's Department of Insurance for more details on their policies and availability for appeal should your application be rejected on these grounds.
Step 4: Develop Your Credentials
While licensing is the first step in becoming a qualified claims adjuster, it certainly isn't the last. Practical training to develop your skills is absolutely critical to both finding work and your long-terms success in the independent adjusting field. If you are lined up to join a major carrier's staff of core adjusters, comprehensive training will likely be provided to you.
For those responsible for their own development, here are just a few training options to enhance your professional portfolio:
- Xactimate 27 Training - For residential and light commercial property adjusters, Xactimate 27 Training represents the most fundamentally indispensable practical training you can obtain. Learn how to write estimates using the claims industry's leading software. More...
- Adjusting 101 - A terrific introduction to the nuts and bolts of claims handling with outstanding insight into what makes a successful field adjuster. Offered by AdjusterPro prior to the Xactimate 27 course above and serves as a great lead-in to your software training. More...
- Any of Vale Training Solution's Courses - AdjusterPro has partnered with Vale Training Solutions, a legend in hands-on training, to make their courses available to independent adjusters everywhere. These courses carry a lot of weight with hiring firms and you aren't limited to residential property training only - courses in liability adjusting, auto damage estimatics, truck/trailer estimating, Workers' Comp, and much more are all available. More...
Q. How much should I expect to invest in training?
A. This depends largely on the expertise you already possess. However, we really urge you to view adjusting, and independent adjusting in particular, as a business - your business! Whatever state in your career you find yourself, advancing in knowledge and practical training is an investment in yourself and your business. And further, it makes you fundamentally more desirable to hiring companies.
It can take 2 years and $30,000 to get an MBA. It takes a few days to get your license to handle claims. Does that mean you're actually ready to succeed? Probably not. Disabuse yourself as quickly as you can of the mentality that adjusting is an easy, get-rich-quick scheme. Take the time and money to put yourself on real, solid ground so you can move forward with confidence and pride. It's an investment in your most valuable resource - you.
Step 5: Find a Job
Create a knock-out claims industry resume and submit it to no less than 20 adjusting firms found here. Meanwhile, network as aggressively as possible through the Well-Adjusted social network.
AdjusterPro is pleased to give you access to a legend in hands-on adjuster training. Through our sponsorship, the following courses are now available:
- 3 week Property Adjusting
- 2 Week Auto Adjuster
- 2 Week Casualty Adjusting
- 5 Day Certified Green Risk Professional
