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Training for Claims Adjusting


When you make a claim against your homeowners, automobile or medical
insurance, a claims adjuster handles the scheduling and processing of
your claim. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for
claims adjusters will rise 7 percent through 2018. The job increase
coincides with growth in the health care industry and a rise in insurance
claims as the population ages. With more claims, more adjusters are
needed. Training for claims adjusting has not been formalized, and many
adjusters create their own paths to gain entry to and then advance in the
claims field.



Instructions


1.
* 1


Choose the type of claims adjusting you want to do. Independent
adjusters work as independent contractors and typically specialize
in a particular type of claim. Staff adjusters work for insurance
companies as generalists or specialists. Public adjusters, who work
directly for businesses, organizations and agencies that hold
insurance policies, need to know about the types of claims their
employers typically face.



* 2


Obtain experience in the insurance field that interests you.
Experience can be gained through a job or through vocational
programs. For example, auto repair adjusters benefit from experience
with auto repair and estimating damage. Adjusters working in the
area of fire and accidents to homes and buildings benefit from
knowledge about architecture and construction.



* 3


Enroll in a claims adjusting training program. Look for local
training programs at technical and trade schools and community
colleges. These programs offer general training in the basics of
claims adjusting and usually do not provide specific information
about specialized claims such as damage of crops or chemical
accidents.



* 4


Study on your own. Associations and organizations focused on the
type of claims you want training in often recommend programs or
provide self-training materials and handbooks. For example, National
Crop Insurance Services publishes handbooks and training for
insurance adjusters and agents. The Chartered Property Casualty
Underwriters Society offers a career center that includes
information on building a claims adjusting career and links to local
chapters where members can assist you.



* 5


Learn on the job. Large insurance companies often look for claims
adjuster trainees to fill new positions. No formal training in the
claims adjusting field is required to qualify for these jobs.
However, a college degree, solid customer service and negotiating
skills, and experience in managerial and leadership roles are
desirable.



* 6


Polish your organizational and computer skills. Technology is used
throughout the claims adjusting process and has increased the speed
at which a claim is processed. Being familiar with sending emails,
managing multiple files and filing systems, and keeping track of
large amounts of dated information is required of any claims
adjuster.






Tips & Warnings


* Check with your state's licensing office to discover whether you must
be licensed to practice as a claims adjuster. Licensing requirements
vary from state to state, and not all states require a license.

* Continuing education is part of a claims adjuster's work life. Some
states may require proof of continuing education to renew licensing.

* Although a bachelor's degree is not a requirement for claims
adjusting positions, some companies prefer college-educated adjusters.
Degrees in business or the liberal arts, including English, history or
psychology, are suitable for claims adjusting.



References



Resources


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