Becoming an Insurance Adjuster
Becoming an insurance adjuster is a career option that offers solid earnings potential. This article will examine the job duties of a property claims adjuster and how individuals can obtain the required license(s).
Q: “What credentials are needed?”
A: Insurance adjusters are not required to have a college degree, but many insurance companies prefer to hire people who have completed college. However, there is no specific degree that’s required to become a claims adjuster.
Every state requires that insurance adjusters be licensed, but you do not necessarily need an adjuster’s license to get a job.
In fact, some insurance companies will hire you, give you time to get trained, then give you a certain amount of time to pass your adjuster’s test. However, getting a job with an insurance company is much easier if you already have your adjuster’s license.
Q: “So, is becoming an insurance adjuster difficult?”
A: It doesn’t have to be. Some individuals will be more naturally suited to the career, because of a background that includes residential construction, for example.
But even with no prior experience in this industry, it is possible to get trained and licensed, within a few months (or maybe even weeks).
Keep in mind that insurance laws and certification process vary from state to state; you will usually need a separate insurance adjuster’s license for every state you want to work in.
However, during emergencies – like a massive hurricane – some states will offer reciprocal licenses, which allow you to practice in other states without applying for a separate license.
>>Insurance adjuster pre-licensing and exam prep classes — click here for state-specific classes<<
No matter what state you’re in, getting licensed and becoming an insurance adjuster does not require huge amounts of money or years of your life. In fact, it is possible to get trained and pass your adjuster’s test in less than a month. As an added benefit, most, if not all of the training can be done online.
“Becoming an insurance adjuster isn’t just about learning insurance laws…”
One must have solid computer skills, since most damage appraisals are done using complex software, such as Xactimate. Plus, adjusters have to keep detailed records of each claim. All of that information is kept in a sophisticated, company-wide computer program. (See Xactimate training options)
Additionally, property insurance adjusters need some practical knowledge of damage. For example, it is not good enough to say that someone’s roof needs to be fixed. As an insurance adjuster, you will have to consider details that many people overlook – like the cost of new roofing tiles, the cost of new tar, and the cost of scraping off the old, damaged roofing materials.
And, becoming an insurance adjuster isn’t the only time you’ll have to study. In order to keep their adjusters’ licenses, most states require yearly continuing education. The number of continuing education credits needed varies from state to state.
”Once I have my adjuster’s license, what exactly does and adjuster do?”
Becoming an insurance adjuster makes you the liason between a policyholder and the insurance company. You work on claims from start to finish, and you are responsible for making sure that all applicable insurance laws are followed.
Once you are assigned to a claim, you will start by contacting the policyholder. In property insurance claims, this is usually the homeowner. Insurance adjusters will start by talking to the homeowner, any witnesses, and getting an overview of what happened. For example, after a tornado, a homeowner may report that his roof is damaged, and that several windows were broken during the storm.
After the initial phone call, the adjuster will physically come out and appraise the damage. He will take pictures and estimate how much all of the damage will cost to repair. In some instances, a damage appraisal can be printed out on the spot, and handed to the property owner.
As an adjuster, you are also responsible for figuring out what is covered under the actual policy. For example, if your house is damaged by a hurricane, your policy may cover wind damage – but not flood damage.
It is the responsibility of the claims adjuster to figure out which damage was from the wind, and which damage was from the flooding. After collecting all of the information, you will negotiate a settlement and arrange for the policyholder to get paid.
