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For individuals who enjoy a range of duties inside and outside an office environment, becoming a claims adjuster might be a good career.
A claims adjuster is like a good detective, except claims adjusters only investigate the situation surrounding an insurance claim. They inspect damage or personal injury claims to determine how much the insurance company should pay.
If you would like to learn about life as an insurance adjuster, look at our real-world career profiles below. We have interviewed professional insurance adjusters to provide you with information on the training required and what a typical workday in the life of a claims adjuster looks like. You can also learn about career paths and salaries.
Claims Adjuster Career Ratings
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Income
Career
Growth
Contribution
Influence
Job Profiles
Real-Life Claims Adjuster Job Profiles
Below is a list of links to anonymous job profiles of REAL PEOPLE who have filled out our survey and offered to share their insights with our users about their job in the Claims Adjuster field.
| ID | Job Title | Gender | Age | Earnings | City & State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33990 | Worker'S Compensation Claims Adjuster | Female | 35 | $53,000 | Pasadena, CA | 01/01/2010 |
| 33917 | Adjustor | Male | 34 | $57,000 | Lees Summit, NY | 01/01/2010 |
| 33707 | Claims Processor | Male | 23 | $67,345 | Florham Park, NJ | 01/01/2010 |
| 33578 | Claims Analyst | Female | 33 | $42,000 | Central Point, OR | 01/01/2010 |
| 33455 | Senior Claims Adjuster | Male | 30 | $50,000 | College Point, NY | 01/01/2010 |
Overview
What a claims adjuster does
A claims adjuster is like a good detective, except claims adjusters only investigate the situation surrounding an insurance claim. They inspect damage or personal injury claims to determine how much the insurance company should pay for the loss. From verifying insurance coverage to gaining information about the circ*mstances involved with the insurance claim, each case is as unique as the people and property concerned.
Claims adjusters can work directly for an insurance company. Or, they may work as an independent contractor for several insurance companies. They can work on property claims when there is damage to buildings or structures, or on a liability claims when personal injury is involved or other types of claims involving professional liabilities. Work-related issues are also an area for claims adjuster to work. Regardless of where they work, their typical duties and responsibilities include:
- Investigating, evaluating, and settling insurance claims
- Determining whether the insurance policy covers the loss claimed
- Deciding the appropriate amount the insurance company should pay
- Ensuring that claims are not fraudulent
- Talking with legal counsel about claims when needed
- Negotiating settlements
- Authorizing payments
Why they are needed
Claims adjusters play a very important role in the resolution of a dispute, to both insurance company and to the individuals making the insurance claim. They are the third party that assesses the damage and decides the outcome. They will study the type of insurance that the victim has, and from here, they can assess the damage. All of their research and studying into the ensure documents ensures that the victim gets an accurate and fair payout from the insurance company. Without claims adjusters, neither the insurance company or the victim would receive a fairly calculated payout.
Pros and cons of a career as a claims adjuster
Pros:
- There is a clear and definitive career path
- It is a stable career choice
- It is often rewarding, as you get to help people
- There is lots of potential for professional growth
- You can work wherever you want in the world
- Claims adjusters often get great employment benefits
- It is a job that can take you worldwide
Cons:
- The work can be very dull and boring
- They work can be very stressful and demanding
- Sometime people don’t get their desired outcome, which can be emotionally draining to deal with
- It can be a very competitive field
- Overtime is common and the hours can be very long
Employability
Job Market
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of claims adjusters is projected to decline 6 percent from 2019 to 2029. This decline in employment is expected because an advance in technology is expected to automate some of the tasks that are currently performed by these workers. For example, computer software can evaluate photographs to calculate an estimated damage amount. This increase in technology means that claims adjusters can do their tasks fasters, which lessens the demand for these workers.
However, there will continue to be some demand for these workers. For example, the health insurance industry should create a demand as rising medical costs may result in a greater need for claims adjusters. Finally, the number of natural disasters, such as floods and fires, will increase the demand for claims adjusters.
Career paths
In order to become a claims adjuster, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to land an entry-level job. However, employers are starting to prefer to hire candidates with a bachelors degree and some insurance-related work experience. After landing an entry-level job, claims adjusters will work on small claims under the supervision of an experienced claims adjusters. In this period, they will learn about claims investigation and settlement. It’s not until after this period, that they are allowed to work on bigger claims.
Example Job Titles for Claims Adjuster
Below is a list of common job titles in the Claims Adjuster field. Click the links below for more information about these job titles, or view the next section for actual real-life job profiles.
Benefits & Conditions
Income and benefits
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a claims adjuster in the United States was $68,270 in 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,950 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,610.
The top paying industry of claims adjusters in the United States was the federal government, where the median annual salary was $79,830. This was followed by the direct insurance carriers industry ($67,770), agencies, brokerages and other insurance related activities ($65,040), the state government ($63,630) and finally, the direct health and medical insurance carriers industry ($58,740).
Autonomy and flexibility
Claims adjusters don’t have a huge amount of autonomy and flexibility. Often, they are working under the instruction of the insurance company, or with the assistance of software, to make decisions on insurance claims. On top of this, flexibility is low too, as claims adjusters have to work their schedule around the businesses they work for and the deadlines they need to meet.
Locations and commute
According to Zippia, the best states to be a claims adjuster, based on average annual salary and number of jobs available, are:
- North Dakota, where the average annual salary is $51,364
- New Jersey, where the average annual salary is $52,670
- Nevada, where the average annual salary is $47,645
- New York, where the average annual salary is $51,506
- West Virginia, where the average annual salary is $49,514
The worst states to be a claims adjuster, according to Zippia, are Virginia, Louisiana, Kentucky, South Carolina and Mississippi.
Work environment
The largest employer of claims adjusters in the United States was the direct insurance carriers industry, which employed 30% of all claims adjusters in the United States. This was followed by agencies, brokerages and other insurance related activities (27%), the federal government (14%), direct health and medical insurance carriers (9%) and, finally, the state government (3%).
Most claims adjusters will work in offices when reviewing documents and conducting research. However, they may have to travel to different sites to examine properties. In these circ*mstances, they may be exposed to hazards, such as collapsed roofs and floors.
Career Satisfaction
Common Matching Personality Types
Which personalities tend to succeed and thrive in Claims Adjuster careers? Based on our research, there is a relatively strong positive correlation between the following personality types and Claims Adjuster career satisfaction. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t many exceptions, of course, but if you fit into one of the following personality types then we suggest you give strong consideration to a career in Claims Adjuster.
16 Types (Myers-Briggs)
- ENTJ
- ESTJ
- ISTJ
Big Five (OCEAN)
- Conscientiousness
DISC
- DC (Challenger)
Enneagram
- None
Holland Codes (RIASEC)
- Conventional
- Enterprising
Personality types
Like many other detail oriented careers, it is likely that claims adjusters will present the ENTJ personality type. The ENTJ’s, or sometimes called ‘The Commander’, excel in careers where they can use logic to solve problems and can use logical reasoning. They also hold facts to high standards and seek consistency, which is ideal for a claims adjuster who must be consistent and reliable with their work.
Accomplishment and mastery
Claims adjusters are unlikely to have a huge sense of accomplishment and mastery. Typically, they will follow the instructions from computer software, or from the insurance company. Furthermore, it doesn’t take much training to become a claims adjuster and, as a result, they are unlikely to feel very accomplished and mastered when they land the job as a claims adjuster.
Meaning and contribution
Like all jobs, there will be some mundane tasks that do not feel like they are filled with meaning or contribution.
However, in the grand scheme of things, claims adjusters work to ensure that insurance claimers get a fair payout. In some cases, this can make a world of difference to a family and can change their life. As a result, some of the work that a claims adjuster does will leave them feeling like they have a high sense of meaning and contribution.
Life fit
Most claims adjusters will work full time. However, claims adjusters may have to work evenings and weekends if they have appointments with clients.
Who will thrive?
Anyone can thrive as a claims adjuster. However, to be exceptional at the job, it will be helpful to have traits such as:
- A strong analytical mindset
- Excellent attention to detail
- Consistency
- Pride in all aspect of their work
- Strong communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
Who will struggle?
Individuals will struggle as a claims adjuster if they are not naturally analytically minded. Similarly, you may struggle as a claims adjuster if you are not naturally business or productivity minded – as claims adjusters must be able to help insurance companies succeed by ensuring they pay out an acceptable amount.
Requirements
Quick Glance
Skills
Degrees
Skills and talents
As well as completing the relevant education and experience, a claims adjuster needs skills and talents such as:
- Computer skills,as claims adjusters need to use various computer software
- Communication skills, as claims adjusters must get information from a range of people and they must know how to communicate with others and what questions to ask to get the right information they need
- Interpersonal skills,as claims adjusters often meet with claimants who may be upset by the situation and claims adjusters need to be empathetic and understanding
- Detail-orientation, as claims adjusters need to carefully review documents and damager property, because small details can have large financial consequences
- Analytical skills,as claims adjusters must evaluate whether the insurance company is obligated to pay and determine the amount to pay. To do this, adjusters must examine various pieces of information to reach a decision
Education
Claims adjuster will need a high school diploma or equivalent to land an entry-level job. However, employers are starting to prefer to hire candidates with a bachelors degree and some insurance-related work experience. After landing an entry-level job, claims adjusters will receive on-the-job training.
Certifications for claims adjusters
Licensing requirements for claims adjusters vary by state. In some states, there are very few requirements. Whereas others require either the completion of prelicensing education or receiving a satisfactory score on a licensing exam (or both). Jobseekers should verify the licensing laws with the state and locality in which they want to work.
Some states that require licensing also require a certain number of continuing education credits per year to renew the license. Federal and state laws and the outcomes of claim disputes adjudicated in court affect how the claims must be handled and what insurance policies can and must cover. TheNational Insurance Producer Registry(NIPR) provides information about state licensing requirements.
How to Become
A claims adjuster is like a good detective, except claims adjusters only investigate the situation surrounding an insurance claim. They inspect damage or personal injury claims to determine how much the insurance company should pay for the loss. From verifying insurance coverage to gaining information about the circ*mstances involved with the insurance claim, each case is as unique as the people and property concerned.
However, although this job is great for those who enjoy a range of duties inside and outside an office environment, it is a decline career due to advancements in technology.
Immediate action
If a career as a claims adjuster is something you’re interested in, then great! One of the first things you can do is to decide whether you’re wanting to take a bachelor’s degree and how you can gather valuable work experience.
Education and learning
Claims adjuster will need a high school diploma or equivalent to land an entry-level job. However, employers are starting to prefer to hire candidates with a bachelors degree and some insurance-related work experience.
Skill development
Claims adjuster will learn all the skills they need through their on-the-job training. In some states, they will have to continue their education to further progress their skills and keep them up-to-date.
FAQs
Ask a Question
Have a question about Claims Adjuster careers? If so, our mentors would love to help! Just click on a mentor’s profile below and then fill out the “Ask a Question” form on that page. Your question will then be emailed to the mentor, who can then email you a reply.
| ID | Job Title | Gender | Age | Earnings | City & State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33990 | Worker'S Compensation Claims Adjuster | Female | 35 | $53,000 | Pasadena, CA | 01/01/2010 |
| 33917 | Adjustor | Male | 34 | $57,000 | Lees Summit, NY | 01/01/2010 |
| 33707 | Claims Processor | Male | 23 | $67,345 | Florham Park, NJ | 01/01/2010 |
| 33578 | Claims Analyst | Female | 33 | $42,000 | Central Point, OR | 01/01/2010 |
| 33455 | Senior Claims Adjuster | Male | 30 | $50,000 | College Point, NY | 01/01/2010 |
