6 Steps To Launching Your Adjusting Career
What Do Insurance Claims Adjusters Do?
Insurance claims adjusters are employed by an insurer (insurance company) to investigate a claim made against that insurer.
They work with policyholders who have suffered losses due to accidents or natural disasters.
The job of an insurance claims adjuster requires them to be knowledgeable about their company’s policies as well as how those policies apply to specific situations.
This means they must know what types of coverage each policy provides, when it applies, and whether there will be any exclusions or limitations on liability.
A Career As An Insurance Adjuster Is Rewarding.
There are few careers that have a low barrier to entry, few educational requirements to start, and pay as well as insurance adjusting.
While the income potential is a genuine motivator, a great insurance adjuster will have a desire to serve others.
It is often said that the most significant rewards come from serving others, and there are many opportunities as an insurance adjuster to help others in their time of need.
Step 1: Determine If Insurance Adjusting Is Right For You
Insurance adjusting, while rewarding, is not for everyone. Here are just a few things to consider before you decide if a career in adjusting is right for you:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have a valid driver’s license.
- You must be a qualified resident of your home state.
- You must be able to work under pressure.
- You must be able to be empathic.
- You must have a high degree of self-motivation.
- You must have a high level of attention to detail.
- You must be a good communicator.
In addition to the above requirements, depending on what career path you choose, additional requirements may apply.
Step 2: Determine What You Want To Specialize In
For the purposes of this article, we will assume that you are interested in property claims and auto claims adjusting.
There are several areas one could specialize in: workers comp claims, liability claims, medical claims, life insurance claims, etc.
For our purposes, we will focus our attention on property and auto claims.
Currently, there are three potential areas that you could specialize.
- Independent adjuster working catastrophe claims.
- Usually requires travel and savings to fund your deployment startup costs (travel expenses, food, lodging, etc.).
- Usually unpredictable deployment opportunities.
- Often tends to have higher income potential for experienced adjusters and those that work to find available opportunities. (CatRoster.com can help make this easier)
- Usually, deployments only last a few weeks to a few months, depending on the storm’s severity.
- Independent adjuster working local claims.
- It tends to be more challenging to find these opportunities as seasoned insurance adjusters often acquire these positions.
- Usually results in more consistent work with periods of high demand.
- Often tends to have a more consistent and predictable income due to the somewhat steady volume of claims.
- Staff position
- Tends to be more stable and result in more consistent work than the other two options.
- While the pay is typically lower than that of an independent adjuster to start, organizational opportunities could result in higher income as the career progresses.
- Usually tends to have high levels of company training available for expanded career growth.
- Travel, meals, and lodging are typically covered by the carrier if deployed.
- Local and catastrophe positions available.
Step 3: Acquire The Insurance License(s) You Will Need.
If your home state is a licensing state, you will want to get this license first. Adjusterpro.com is an excellent resource for getting this done.
If you live in a state that does not require an adjuster’s license, then you will want to choose a state that gives you the most bang for your buck.
Florida and Texas are great options as many other states you are likely to work in will reciprocate with Florida and Texas.
Once you have this, you will want to get a license in a state that you will likely want to work.
Some adjusters will get as many licenses as they can. Use wisdom in choosing the states you wish to get a license.
You will need to maintain these licenses, and this can come at a significant price tag.
Step 4: Take Courses To Learn Essential Adjusting Skills
Computer Essentials:
You should be fairly familiar with using a computer.
While you won’t need to be an expert, you need basic computer skills to be an effective adjuster.
Coursera is an excellent resource for brushing up on your computer skills.
Here’s a course that you can take for free: Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software
Xactimate Training:
There are a few estimating software providers, but none are as dominant in the current market as Xactimate.
The better grasp you have of this software, the more deployable you will be from the start.
Here’s an excellent resource for getting this done: The Cat Institute.
The bonus of taking the course from The Cat Institute is that it is provided by one of the industry’s top adjusting firms, Eberls, and it’s good that they will have your name in their system.
Step 5: Begin To Network With Other Adjusters To Find Opportunities
One of the best tips we can provide is that you should learn to network with other adjusters.
Adjusters are a social bunch, and we love to help other great adjusters with opportunities.
Over your adjusting career, you will find that the best opportunities come from the connections you made on one of your assignments.
Facebook groups, LinkedIn, and CatRoster.com are great resources to help you start the networking process.
Step 6: Apply To Adjusting Firms That Are Hiring
Whether you are looking for employment as a staff adjuster or prefer to remain independent and handle claims on a contractual basis, treat your job search as a job in itself, and you will not be disappointed.
Reach out to IA Firms:
Contact the HR (human resource) departments at major adjusting firms to inquire about openings and their hiring process.
Get your resume right and ready:
Create a resume that is specifically tailored to the claims industry with an understanding of what employers want. AdjusterPro students receive a copy of our Resume Guide and some example templates after course completion.
Consider purchasing the Total Adjuster Package . This discounted bundle includes your licensing course, Xactimate training, and the Adjuster Success Method. We share our proven strategy of getting into and succeeding in the claims business.
Get on the rosters of the employers you want with a strategic and intentional campaign. But don’t limit yourself to the largest 2 or 3 firms! More and more today, carriers are spreading their contracts around to medium and even small firms to suit the demand.
Follow up on your resumes, job applications, and personal contacts with diligence.
Join local and national industry associations and insurance job boards and network, network, network.
Stay compliant and say “Yes!”:
Keep your licenses current and in good standing. Be prepared to deploy quickly, especially during catastrophe season. When the firms call to fill a position, they usually have a deadline to be on location. They will not wait an extra day or two to suit your timeline so it’s best to always be ready. If you have an opportunity…take it.
Whether you are just starting to consider a possible career as an adjuster or you have specific questions about licensing and compliance, we are here to help.
Source: adjusterpro.com
If you have any questions about this article, please reach out to us; we are here to help.
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