Quilifications to Become an Insurance Adjuster

Quilifications to Become an Insurance Adjuster

 

Insurance adjusters work with insurance companies to establish the credibility and value of insurance claims. They often work directly with people who have suffered a loss, and they assist in getting their claims paid for in a fair manner for all parties involved. Employment opportunities for insurance claims adjusters are expected to increase moderately until 2018. You might have to become licensed to become an adjuster.

Education

• The insurance industry does not have any formal requirements for education for insurance adjusters. A minimum requirement to enter the field is generally a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most companies prefer to hire college graduates, and people with a four-year college degree will have an advantage when competing for some of the highest paying jobs. College training in a field related to the types of claim adjustment or investigation that you will perform is a benefit. For example, a business background would be helpful in evaluating loss claims involving businesses, and a medical background could be useful for a health insurance claim adjuster.

Licensure

• Some states do not have formal licensing programs for insurance claims adjusters. States that do require an insurance adjuster be licensed may require a formal class or passage of an exam. You may also be required to complete both. If you work for an insurance company as an employee, its licensing may be sufficient for you. Some states may require a certain amount of continuing education to renew your license, and you may have to post a surety bond as part of your job.

Flexibility

• Insurance claims adjusters, depending on their specialty, may have variable hours and working conditions. Some adjusters will have to tailor their work schedule to accommodate interviews with witnesses and claimants at times convenient for that person. If you work primarily on investigations, unusual work hours and weekend work may be normal for you. In some cases, an adjuster must be prepared to travel, possibly for extended time frames. These conditions require an insurance adjuster to be flexible, and able to adapt to change.

Other Qualifications

• Insurance adjusters and investigators must be able to communicate clearly and make themselves understood without any ambiguity. Adjusters and investigators also often deal with adversarial situations, and must be assertive and not be afraid of conflict. The best candidates have a broad range of computer skills and are able to use common computer software packages in addition to learning proprietary software specific to the industry. You should also have a valid driver's license if you routinely travel off-site to evaluate claims