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 independent 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 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, Indiana, 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 as an adjuster is absolutely critical to both finding work and your long-terms success in the field. Here are a just a few training options to enhance your professional portfolio:
- Xactimate 25 Training - For residential and light commercial property adjusters, Xactimate 25 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 prior to the Xactimate 25 course above and serves as a great lead-in to your software training. More...
- 2 Story/Steep Rope and Harness Certification - With OSHA compliance and general safety/liability issues more and more at the forefront of the adjusting industry, this certification and skill anticipates the future in claims handling. Always in demand, 2 Story/Steep adjusters are the first to be called and the last to leave on assignment. More...
- Haag Certified Roof Inspector - Haag Engineering, one of the nation's leading property damage assesment firms, offers the HCRI (Haag Certified Roof Inspector) program - an elite certification for residential and commercial adjusters. Minimum prerequisite of 100 roof inspections. More...
Q. Why is Xactimate training so important?
A. Xactimate is the very language in which most estimates are written for residential and light commercial property adjustments. As such, It is very specialized and not very intuitive. What would literally take weeks for an above average computer user to learn through trial and error can be accomplished far less painfully in three days timely instruction. And, in general, most folks tend to overestimate rather than underestimate their software skills. Knowing how to use Excel and email isn't going to guarantee smooth sailing through a claims estimating program like Xactimate. Mastering Xactimate is probably the single most important skill you as a new adjuster can acquire and will pay major financial dividends within your first few weeks in the field.
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.
