Is being a claims adjuster any better than being an insurance agent?

Question

I took a job as an health and life insurance agent a few months ago, and I quit after a few weeks because I absolutely hated it. I didn't like doing cold calls and I felt like the company was training me to be a liar.

I'm wondering if being a claims agent for an auto insurance company is any better? I have a four-year degree, but I don't have a license for auto insurance or anything. For those who don't want to be an insurance agent, is being a claims adjuster more of the same? Is it hard?

Answer 1

The answer all depends on who you talk to. Agents always say they would never be an adjuster and adjusters say they would never be an agent.

I've been an adjuster for 20+ years. I have never been an agent but have good friends that are. There are pros and cons for both sides. A successful agent has much more earning potential than an adjuster does. However, on the other hand the adjuster gets a consistent paycheck and good benefits.

There is a lot of turnover in both jobs. Most 1st year agents get out because they can't make enough money. Many newer adjusters bail out when they see the workload and how many angry people they have to deal with.

To answer your final question, yes being an adjuster is hard. There are no easy jobs in the insurance business unless you are the CEO or on the board of directors, those old dudes have easy jobs.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Honestly, you couldn't pay me enough to be an adjuster.  And the only line of business worse than auto adjusting, is workers comp adjusting.

Adjusters have a really high burnout rate.  The carriers overload them with more work than they can handle in 60 hour weeks, and the clients are all really, really upset.  Except the ones that are faking  upset, while lying through their teeth.

Sorry.  I think adjusting STINKS.   And I"m in awe of those people that do it long term.  It's kinda like changing diapers - it's a nasty job, but someone has to do it.

Answer 3

There is a BIG difference between being an insurance agent and a property and casualty claims adjuster.

As an agent, you are required to produce insurance sales. Your income is based on the commissions you earn on those sales. Those sales are derived from helping your clients determine their particular insurance needs, based on their particular circumstances and their goals. Earning a good income is very important. But if you are selling life insurance JUST to make money, you're in the wrong business. Take care of your clients needs and your needs will be met.

As a claims adjuster, you go out and determine the damage on vehicles or property, then submit payments to cover said damage, minus deductibles, etc. As an adjuster you will probably be over-worked and have to put in more hours than an insurance agent.

I don't know of a life or health insurance company that would teach it's agents to be liars. Being an insurance agent is a very reputable profession. However, I'll admit that once in awhile there will be an unscrupulous agent who will sometimes be less than honest with a client to get the sale. An agent NEVER has to be a liar. These types of agents aren't in the business very long, because after awhile all their dishonesty will catch up with them.

Most agents now are required to carry errors and omissions insurance, to cover any honest error that was made during the sale, and which was discovered at the time of the claim.

Claims adjusters earn a good living, but a multi-line agent, who sells life, health, auto, home, and business insurance will earn, over time, 4 or 5 times that of an adjuster.

I retired from the insurance business after 30 years of honest service to my clients. and the companies I represented. I have never had a claim filed against me.

One rule one should learn and practice when selling insurance or anything else for that matter is, "Always tell the truth, and you will never have to remember what you said".

Because you will KNOW what you said.

I think I know the company which you are refering to; that wants you to make cold calls. If you want to be a real insurance agent, go to Nationwide, State Farm, or Allstate.

Either one would be glad to talk with you. Being an insurance agent is a very rewarding profession.