8 Steps to become an Insurance Claims Adjuster
Ready to begin your insurance adjuster career but uncertain where to start? Follow AdjusterPro's eight step guide and begin your claims adjuster career today!
Step 1: Determine the insurance adjuster license you need.
How to do it:
- Find your home state's insurance claims adjuster license requirements.
- If your state's insurance department does not require a license, consider obtaining the highly reciprocal Texas Insurance Adjuster License.
Q. Do I really need a claims adjuster license?
A. Yes. Without a license, a would-be insurance adjuster will encounter severe limitations as to where and for whom they can work claims. Having an insurance adjuster license, even if your home state does not require one, will achieve the following:
- Increase Professional Credibility. Increase your likelihood of landing a job - all things being equal, employers will favor a licensed claims adjuster over an unlicensed adjuster every time. Having a license demonstrates that you have done your due diligence in your new career path.
- Increase Insurance Knowledge. Preparing for an insurance adjuster licensing exam or taking an adjuster licensing course will require you to read and understand a wide spectrum of insurance policy and apply them within the context of an insurance claim. Knowing how to read and apply insurance policy is an absolute necessity when you hit the field as a claims adjuster.
- Work just about anywhere. Advance your claims career - having an adjuster license in a state such as Texas that enjoys a high level of adjuster license reciprocity with other states will greatly increase your geographical range of operating. This increased flexibility, of course, is favored by those who hire and fire in the insurance claims industry.
Step 2: Register for your adjuster pre-licensing or state exam
How to do it:
- Classroom: View class schedule and register for the 3 day classroom Texas All-Lines Adjuster Licensing course in Dallas or Houston.
- Online: Register for the self-paced online Texas Adjuster licensing course and be on your way to licensure today from the comfort of home.
- State Exam: View our adjuster licensing procedures by state to determine the correct path for registering for the state exam.
Q. What is the difference between a pre-licensing course and a license exam prep course?
A. A pre-licensing course, such as the online Texas Property and Casualty pre-licensing course or the 3 day All-Lines Adjuster pre-licensing course, acts as a substitute for the state exam. As the state exams can be difficult, taking a pre-licensing course is frequently the safest and surest means of obtaining your insurance adjuster license. NOTE: Successfully completing a pre-licensing course satisfies all requirements for obtaining your adjuster license. A few key states' insurance departments, including Texas and Florida, allow for such courses. A license exam prep course is a course specifically designed to help you study for and pass the state insurance adjuster exam. Depending upon the state, the exam will be administered by Thompson-Prometric or Promissor. These exams have a reputation of being very difficult.
Step 3: Complete the pre-licensing course or take the insurance licensing exam
How to do it:
- Finish your online pre-license course or complete your 3 day pre-licensing course in a classroom in Dallas or Houston.
- Schedule and take your stand-alone state exam with Thompson-Prometric or Promissor.
Q. If I am taking the stand-alone state adjuster license exam, should I take an exam prep course?
A. That depends. If you were born with an infused knowledge of obscure insurance policy nuances you actually might not need to take a licensing exam prep course! Otherwise, you may want to brush up on topics related to farm and ranch, inland marine, and automobile policies (not to mention homeowners and commercial) as well as the key insurance terms and concepts that will be covered in great detail within the exam. We know of 20-year claims adjuster veterans who have failed the exam repeatedly because they resisted the idea of studying. Save yourself the hassle and expense of taking the exam multiple times - if you are going to take the state exam, sign up for an insurance licensing exam prep course at AdjusterPro's Adjuster Virtual University and take the exam with confidence.
Step 4: Submit your insurance adjuster license application to the appropriate state agency
How to do it:
- Contact the appropriate agency in the state where you are getting your claims license for information about application procedure. For contact assistance, view our insurance regulating agencies by state.
Q. How long does it take to process the application and when do I get the license?
A. This will vary from state to state. In Texas, however, which receives thousands of applications per year, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) processing time is around three weeks. In times of an emergency, when many adjusters are becoming licensed, you should allow up to six weeks to receive your insurance claims adjuster license in the mail. Students of a Texas licensing course, having submitted their application for licensure, may check TDI's online adjuster database to see if their application has been processed.
Step 5: Expand your claims adjuster skill set
How to do it:
- Take Xactimate Training and stay ahead of the novice curve.
Q. I'm pretty good at using a computer, can't I just learn on my own?
A. Maybe. However, programs like Xactimate are not very intuitive in usage. What would take literally weeks for an above average computer user to learn through trial and error could be accomplished far less painfully in two days timely instruction. And generally we have found that people overestimate rather than underestimate their software skills. Knowing how to send an email and use word isn't going to guarantee smooth sailing through a claims estimating program like Xactimate. These are powerful programs that have very specific purposes and capabilities. Mastering Xactimate is one the single most important skills to acquire and can pay itself off tenfold within the first few weeks of doing claims.
Step 6: Create a good resume
How to do it:
- View AdjusterPro's insurance adjuster resume page for affordable resume services and for great tips on creating a knock-out resume.
Q. Can I use my standard old resume?
A. Being mindful of the particular claims adjuster skills that hiring companies are looking for can dramatically increase your odds of being hired. Adjusterpro recommends that you consider starting from scratch utilizing the principles in the 5 Skill Areas considered most by employers.
Step 7: Find a Job
How to do it:
- View CADOs employer ratings directory and submit resumes to no less than your top 20 choices.
Q. Many companies say they require 3-5 years experience in adjusting to apply - what gives?
A. Don't be discouraged. If everyone required 5 years experience how would anyone gain the experience in the first place? Demand for independent adjusters will fluctuate with the frequency and severity of catastrophic events. Persistence is the name of the game and when a major storm (i.e. Cat 3-5 Hurricane) hits you can bet that the experience requirement will be waived for most companies.
Step 8: Maintain your license
How to do it:
- Keep your insurance adjuster license current by observing the license's continuing education credit requirements. If you are unsure what your state's CE requirements are, please view licensing and CE procedures by state.
- Register for and complete any of AdjusterPro's convenient online continuing education courses.
Q. What happens if I fail to fulfill my CE (Continuing Education) requirements?
A. Unfortunately, you can lose your claims license. With the ease and convenience of online CE - there is no reason not to stay current. Check out our online CE classes indexed by state and put your mind at ease by staying ahead of the game.
