What college degree does an insurance underwriter, adjuster or claims investigator have to have?

Question

What college degree does an insurance underwriter, adjuster or claims investigator have to have?

Answer 1

Any Degree.

It does not matter what your degree is in -- just got to have it to work in claims or underwriting. (Sales - I don't know about and there are others on YA that can answer).  

I have a liberal arts degree. I've worked with dance majors, business majors, psychology majors, sports medicine.

If you are looking at going into claims -- a degree in sports medicine, biology, or exercise physiology  can be helpful.  A big part of being a casualty adjuster is evaluating injury claims and an understanding of the body and it's systems can be helpful.

Some colleges offer insurance as a major (not many). But you don't have to have that degree.

Answer 2

You don't actually need one, but most companies won't hire anyone without a Bachelor's degree.  Doesn't matter what the degree is in - mine is speech pathology (therapy), and I got hired in just fine.

Answer 3

I adjusted claims for over 26 years, and was on the catastrophic team (cat team) for 12 years.  for the first 5 years I worked part time while finishing my degree (Biz).  What helped me the most were the certification/training courses I took through the company. I have my CPCU, and I am a member of NPI - Nat'l Property Inspectors.

Some of the best training I received was working with the local fire departments and the fire marshals.  They don't think less of you if you tell them you're new.  They love to teach someone the ropes.  They are also, usually, open to new ideas.

When you have a $2 million restaurant go up in flames and the fire department, and you (representing the insurance co, believes that it was an arson..... EVERYONE works together to nail the guy(s) that did it.  From checking on the owner's financials, to checking on the guys marriage....  we lived to see the handcuffs go on the owner(s) and the insurance bought dinner when arson was proven.

Answer 4

There is no specific degree. Business works, but so does psychology. If you want the really big bucks, go for law.

Answer 5

there's not a specific degree, per se, but something like mathematics or finance is generally preferred.  whatever you do, make sure to add some quant courses, as the career progression typically involves being an actuary at some point.