Wanting to know how to become a insurance claims adjuster ?

Question

I 'm looking for a new career and kinda of interested in insurance claims adjuster and like to know what i need to qualify for the job !

Answer 1

How old are you?

I have nothing to do with the insurance business (sometimes called wrongly an "industry"), however, I know the major insurance companies have their own training programs for adjusters.  I presume they require experienced insurance agents who are licensed and know the business in order to be considered for the job.

You should contact a main office of an insurance company that you like and ask them how to gain entry-level experience and training to become an adjuster.  The queston is -- WHO makes the most money, an adjuster as employee or an agent as franchise businessperson ???????  That could go either way!

Answer 2

I would have to agree with Saint.  Why in the h**l would you want to be a claims adjuster.  The hours are long,  the insured are ungrateful and liars, and lets not even get into the claimants.  

I didn't expect the kind of hassles I would encounter as a claims adjuster.  Although I do work as a field adjuster, the problems are the same.  During storm events you are given more claims than you can possible handle, and did I mention you have no time off.  The weekend is just two extra work days you have to catch up on paper work.  

However, it can be very rewarding.  during the winter months claims get slow, so you have time to catch up on your hobbies, time with the family and extended weekends.  And enough money to do with what you want.  I hope that you are not a needy person.  If you tend to want good relations with people in general, then forget about this career.  Nobody likes you.  When you tell people what it is you do for a living.  you will most likely get this blank stare and the response "oh".

For example:  You get a claim for water damage to the ceiling of a dwelling.  The insured has a standard HO-A. You inspect the dwelling starting with the roof first.  You find no damage on the roof.  No missing shingles, no hail damage.  However, you do find a turbine vent with caulking cracked and deteriorated.  You inspect the inside of the home and find the whole living room ceiling, including the insulation on the carpet and furniture.  The next phase in this claim is,  you have to explain to the insured there is no coverage for the interior damages, because there is no damage to the roof.  This can get really ugly,  The insured will be upset, some cursing at you, and some will even go to your supervisor and complain about your mannerisms.  This is all in a days work as an adjuster,  I can't tell you what it is like as a staff adjuster.

If this sounds like you. then the next step is to obtain a license, and some sort of further education towards your field of interest.  You will have to find someone or something which will put you above the rest.  There are literally millions of licensed adjusters in the United States, who thought they were going to get rich after Katrina.  The sad fact is they have no experience, and are still waiting for another storm. But keep your chin up.

Answer 3

The better question is why would you want to become a claims adjuster.

PROS -

-never boring.

-decent to great benefits and salary after 3 or more yrs experience.

-Outside/field adjusters have a little more freedom than their counterparts who are stuck back at the cubicle farm.

-You have an opportunity to help people when they need it most, especially on legit house fires.  

CONS -

-Deal with a lot of angry people.

-Make people even angrier by denying claims or not paying them what they THINK they deserve.

-Managers who don't remember what it is like to be a claims adjuster.  

-Have to deal with scumbag lawyers making BS injury claims for their scumbag clients.

-More files than 2 or 3 people could reasonably handle.

-fraudulent files.

Some insurance companies hire people without any experience so they can train you how they want. However, that requires starting at the bottom and working your way up.  

Other common ways to get into a claims job is to have experience as a cop, house builder or body shop technician. Having experience in one of these areas can get you started at a salary above the base starting salary.

Good Luck