Insurance Adjuster Basics
Who are insurance adjusters?
Anyone can become an insurance adjuster. As no college degree is necessary, the only real requirement is that you be 18 years of age. While some professionals have started out from the very outset in the claims industry, many folks begin their insurance claims career after work in other fields. Common backgrounds include construction, contracting, insurance sales, insurance underwriting, appraisals, and property inspections. However, teachers, farmers, attorneys, truckers, plumbers, dog whisperers, hvac specialists, and entrepreneurs (to name but a few) have all transitioned smoothly into the world of insurance claims adjusting.
What do insurance adjusters do?
Insurance claims adjusters inspect claims of damage or loss, interprets and applies the customer's insurance policy, negotiates settlement, and may authorize payments.
Why are insurance adjusters needed?
Insurance adjusters are needed because settling insurance claims ultimately requires human judgment. As each claim is unique, call-in centers with computers can only take insurance companies so far - finally, field adjusters must be relied upon to bring their own senses and intelligence to bear upon the particular demands of each claim. It is reassuring to know that insurance adjusters will always be needed. Outsourcing to technology can decrease the workload for adjusters, but will never eliminate the need for adjusters themselves.
The need for adjusters is never higher than when catastrophe strikes. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, and Rita in 2005, major insurance companies were desperate for licensed and trained independent insurance adjusters. Even though major companies staffed a contingent of their own salaried "storm troopers" - these adjusters simply were unable to handle the sheer volume of claims created just by Katrina. When Rita and Wilma made landfall, it seemed the requirement for getting hired as an independent adjuster dropped from having a license to having a car. Thousands of new and inexperienced "cat adjusters" cut their teeth in the fall of 2005 and many more will join the ranks as meteorologists expect the next 10 to 15 years to yield unusually high storm activity.
Where do insurance adjusters work?
- Independent Adjuster. Independent adjusters will generally work wherever mother nature has wrought violence. Where an adjuster lives may have no bearing upon where an he or she works. An independent adjuster residing in Minnesota may contract with an adjusting firm in Iowa and be sent to work hurricane claims in Florida! An independent claims adjuster should be prepared for extensive travel.
- Staff Adjuster. Staff adjusters typically works a limited geographical region in their vicinity. While extensive travel is possible, the range and frequency of travel is much less than for the average independent adjuster. Operating this way may be more suitable for those where family demands are prohibitive to extensive time away from home.
When do insurance adjusters work?
- Independent Adjuster. Independent adjusters will work as long as the job requires. A hail storm may require only 3 weeks of claims adjusting while a category 5 hurricane may put some independent adjusters to work for over a year. The intensity and scope of damage determine the amount of claims filed which greatly effects the time allotted for settling each claim. It is common for independent adjusters to go without work for months at a time. However, compensation for "cat adjusting" is excellent, and prudent independent claims adjusters should be able to survive the lean times.
- Staff Adjuster. Staff adjusters will generally have a far more consistent schedule than an independent adjuster. As a salaried employee, staff adjusters will work year round as with most other types of jobs. The security and consistency of cash flow make staff adjusting the more appealing option for some adjusters.
How can I become a successful insurance adjuster?
Successful insurance claims adjusting can be very demanding and requires a high degree of professionalism. To see what it takes, check out the 7 habits of highly effective adjusters. Or if you are ready to get started on your adjuster career - check out how to become an insurance adjuster or obtain your claims license now.
Have more questions? See 10 frequently asked questions in our Adjuster FAQ or send us an email inquiry.
