How to Become an Insurance Adjuster and Boost Your Salary

To become an insurance adjuster, you'll need to meet the basic requirements, which typically include being at least 18 years old and having a high school diploma or equivalent.

Insurance adjusters must also obtain a license to practice in their state, which involves passing a certification exam and completing continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on industry developments.

You can expect to spend around 1-2 years in training, which includes completing a certification program or earning an associate's degree in a field like insurance or a related field.

The median salary for insurance adjusters is around $65,000 per year, with top earners making over $100,000 annually, depending on experience and location.

An insurance adjuster is a professional responsible for assessing and evaluating insurance claims. They work on behalf of the insurance company to determine the validity and extent of the claim.

Insurance adjusters are often required to have a bachelor's degree in a field such as business, finance, or a related field. Many adjusters also hold professional designations like the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) or the Associate in Claims (AIC).

Their goal is to settle claims fairly and efficiently, ensuring that policyholders receive the compensation they deserve. Insurance adjusters work with various stakeholders, including policyholders, contractors, and medical professionals, to gather information and assess damage.

Adjusters typically work on a case-by-case basis, evaluating the specifics of each claim to determine the extent of coverage and the amount of compensation owed. They may also conduct site visits to assess damage and gather evidence.

Insurance adjusters are often employed by insurance companies, but some work as independent contractors or for third-party adjusting firms. Their work can be physically demanding, requiring them to travel to claim sites and work in a variety of environments.

Before hiring a public adjuster, check their credentials, as they must be licensed in every individual state where they practice and participate in continuing education courses to maintain their licensure.

Never hire an unlicensed contractor or attorney for claim adjustment services, as practicing without a license is against the law.

A referral from an acquaintance can be highly valuable, but if you don't know anyone who can recommend an adjuster, ask your potential adjuster for the contact information of some of their previous clients.

Make sure others have had a good experience working with them, and you can also read reviews of public adjusters online, such as the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) Online Directory of Public Adjusters.

Public adjusters typically charge a fee for their work, which includes filing insurance claims, after an initial free consultation to assess the case.

Many public adjusters cap their fees at a certain dollar amount per claim, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on their experience.

A high fee cap can still save a policyholder money if the insurer pays out a large claim, as seen in the example of a $350,000 claim where a $15,000 cap saved the policyholder $55,000.

The public adjuster's fee is often a percentage of the total claim amount paid by the insurance carrier, which varies between adjusters and is usually capped by local or state law.

In Florida, for instance, fees cannot exceed 20% of a reopened or supplemental claim limit, or 10% for claims resulting from a state of emergency declared by the governor.

A claim in the context of insurance is a formal request to an insurance company to pay for damages or losses incurred due to a specific event.

Claims can arise from various situations, such as fires, natural disasters, or equipment losses.

Some examples of claims include construction defects, mechanical and electrical failures, and third-person property damage.

A claim typically involves an assessment of the damage or loss to determine the liability of the insurance company.

Claims adjusters evaluate these claims to determine the validity and extent of the insurance company's responsibility.

Here is a list of some common types of claims that insurance adjusters evaluate:

Public adjusters typically charge a fee for their work, which can be a percentage of the total claim amount. This fee can vary between adjusters, but it's often capped by local or state law.

In Florida, for example, fees can't exceed 20% of a reopened or supplemental claim limit. There's also a 10% fee limit for claims resulting from a declared state of emergency.

Policyholders may be able to negotiate a lower percentage fee for large claims, such as property losses of $1 million or more. This can save them a significant amount of money.

Public adjusters also cap the dollar amount they'll charge for fees on each claim. Experienced adjusters can cap fees as high as $15,000, which can still save policyholders a lot of money.

For instance, if an insurer pays out a $350,000 claim, a 20% fee would amount to $70,000. But with a $15,000 cap, the policyholder saves $55,000.

Here's a rough breakdown of the fees you might expect to pay a public adjuster:

A claims adjuster's average salary in the U.S. is $61,465 per year, according to Indeed.com.

Their salary can vary greatly depending on how many claims they're working on at once, with some adjusters earning thousands of dollars a week.

This suggests that the more claims an adjuster handles, the higher their potential earnings can be.

To become an insurance adjuster, you typically need at least a high school diploma, although an associate's or bachelor's degree can be preferred. Some states require a certain number of hours of training ahead of time, so be sure to check the specific requirements for your area.

In order to get licensed, you'll need to study and pass a licensing exam, which may include a prelicensing education course totaling not less than 40 hours of instruction. You'll also need to complete continuing education credits in order to keep your license.

Here are some states that do not require licenses for insurance adjusters: ColoradoDistrict of ColumbiaIllinoisIowaKansasMissouriMarylandNebraskaNew JerseyNorth DakotaOhioPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTennesseeVirginiaWisconsin

To become an insurance adjuster, you'll need to meet certain education requirements. A high school diploma or GED is typically the minimum requirement. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree may be preferred.

The specific requirements may vary depending on the employer or specific job requirements. For example, applicants may need an associate's or bachelor's degree, depending on the employer or job requirements.

Some states require a certain number of hours of training to be completed before becoming a licensed insurance adjuster. In California, for instance, licensed independent insurance adjusters must complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education every two years.

Here are the states that do not require licenses for insurance adjusters:

Becoming an insurance adjuster can open doors to various career paths. You can move into management or analyst positions if you choose to pursue this career.

One route is to transition into sales or business development positions with forensic engineering firms or equipment restoration companies. This can be a great opportunity to leverage your skills and experience.

Some claims adjusters decide to transition to sales or business development positions with forensic engineering firms or equipment restoration companies. This can be a great way to apply your knowledge in a new context.

There are a few different routes available to claims adjusters. Each path offers different benefits and should be investigated closely to determine which makes the most sense for you.

You can become a claims adjuster and immerse yourself in the insurance industry. This can give you a solid foundation for future career moves.

If you're not licensed as an independent adjuster in New York, but you're qualified to adjust claims, you can obtain a Temporary Adjuster permit if sponsored by a New York authorized insurance company.

This permit is specifically designed to facilitate the settlement of claims resulting from a catastrophe or an emergency.

You'll need to be sponsored by a New York authorized insurance company to obtain this permit, which allows you to adjust claims temporarily.

It's worth noting that this permit is only available for catastrophes or emergencies, and it's not a substitute for a regular independent adjuster license.

Temporary Adjuster permits can be a valuable option for individuals who want to help with claim settlement during times of crisis.

To access the individual/TBA adjuster application, sign in to NY LINX. This is the first step in the application process.

You'll need to upload specific documents with the online application. For public adjuster candidates, these include a Complete Bond, Certificates of Character, a Signed IdentoGO pre-enrollment confirmation/receipt, and a Statement of Employer if applicable. Independent adjuster candidates only need to upload a Signed IdentoGO pre-enrollment confirmation/receipt.

Developing the right skills is crucial to succeed as an insurance adjuster. You'll need customer service skills such as patience, empathy, and communication to handle sensitive situations like working with individuals who have just lost their homes in a natural disaster.

Insurance adjusters should be able to drive a vehicle and learn a claims management system, which can be made easier with software like Xactimate. Each environment will have its own operating procedures, so be prepared to learn.

To become a successful independent adjuster, you'll need to build up skills such as self-discipline, project management, and computer skills. Proficiency in typing and using independent adjuster software programs is essential.

Some of the key skills to focus on include attention to details, excellent organization, and recordkeeping. You'll also need to be able to track time and generate invoices, as you'll be running your own business.

Here are some essential skills to develop: