Learning how to become a claims adjuster could be exactly what you need if you hope to have a lucrative career in the field. A claims adjuster can work for an employer or can work independently. As an independent adjuster, you set the hours you wish to work, your rates, and the locations or type of work you hope to do. There are a lot of opportunities for those in this field. Could this be the career path for your needs?
Understand What a Claims Adjuster Does
If you are thinking about becoming a claims adjuster, you may be in the industry in some way right now, such as working as a general contractor or working as an inspector for the city. You may have no experience at all in the field but want to learn. The first step then is to understand what an adjuster is tasked with doing on a consistent basis.
The typical task involves investigating insurance claims to determine the cost to repair so that insurance companies can determine how much they are required to pay towards those losses. The work you do will be to help the insurance company, typically, determine the extent of their liability towards the incident.
Most often, insurance companies work traditional business hours but could be working on the weekend or later in the evening when calls come in. There is still ample flexibility when working in this field if you are an independent claims adjuster.
Some of the tasks you can expect to do as an independent claims adjuster include the following:
· Gather information about the event, such as police reports, medical records, and other documentation that showcases what occurred
· Talk to witnesses and claimants to gather information
· Investigate the scene of the event, such as the property that is damaged
· Gather information about the type of repairs that will be necessary
· Create an estimate of the work that needs to be done
· Sketch out the loss in drawings and through the use of photos
· Estimate the cost of repairs based on local facts and figures
This type of work can differ depending on each individual case. What is nearly always a part of the job is working to understand how to get the property back to the condition it was in and estimating the liability of the insurance company in that incident.
How to Become a Claims Adjuster
To do this type of work, there are two key things individuals need. The first is the ability to interpret what you see in the field into usable data that can help you to develop claims. That means having a background in the industry or the ability to learn it.
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced professional looking to advance your skills, you can check out our free webinar where we show you step-by-step how to build a successful career as an independent insurance adjuster.
You also need to have proper training on the software necessary to work as a claims adjuster. While there are a lot of options out there, you really want to ensure you are using the most innovative and accessible tool to achieve that. For most people, that is the Xactimate program.
Gaining Working Knowledge
Most of the time, you will need to complete some skills in the construction industry. That way, you have the necessary information and skills to know what is occurring. You can do that in various ways. When it comes down to it, the key is you need to be able to obtain your license to do this work.
If you do not have that type of working skill, it is always a good idea to get it. Start with looking into trades programs. You can often find programs locally that can give you a hands-on education in claims adjusting.
In many cases, you can specialize. For example, some adjusters specialize in marine environments because that is what their background is. Others know the industrial and manufacturing sector well. Many will do work within the auto sector or residential property adjusters.
Get Your License If Needed
Not all states require that you have a claims adjuster license. Be sure to check this with your state to determine if it is necessary. Most states do require this.
There are some states that do not, including:
· Colorado
· Illinois
· Iowa
· Kansas
· Maryland
· Massachusetts
· Missouri
· Nebraska
· New Jersey
· North Dakota
· Ohio
· Pennsylvania
· Virginia
· Wisconsin
Be sure to verify this with your state. Laws can change over time. Once you know if you need a license, consider the following steps.
Your state requires a license
In this situation, you need to obtain your state license as a first step. Learn what the state requires of you prior to this – such as any type of educational requirements. Even if there are no requirements, it is critically important that you take a course and get some insight into the expectations and laws surrounding claims adjustment. This is a big area of the field, and you want to ensure you don’t waste your time on a licensing exam if you are not ready for it.
Your state does not require a license
If your state does not have a requirement for you to obtain a claims adjuster license, you will likely need to have a license if you plan to work outside of your state. Also, just doing the work of a licensing course is going to give you more of the experience you need to do well in the field.
Many claims adjusters will go from place to place, such as tracking where storms exist to provide support for insurance companies. That means having your license ensures you can easily do that without any real complications (this could increase your earning power when you have the ability to be more flexible like this).
Ready to Test
Once you are ready to take your test for your license, you will need to follow your state’s requirements for doing so. The adjuster exam, if required, can be complex and in-depth. Once you obtain an application from your state, complete it, and submit any additional requirements, you can sit for the example.
Completing Your Software Training
There is much more to learning to be a claims adjuster than just completing your license (though that is a necessary step). The fact is, without in-depth education on how to do the job, it is hard to do it well.
There are various options available at this point. If you plan to work directly with an insurance company as an employee, they will provide you with that information and training. Keep in mind working as an employee is an option, but it is not as lucrative nor as flexible. It also takes applying for the job, being qualified and background checked, and then getting hired before you can complete any additional training.
Instead, consider getting training for the software you will use (and building your business) from a third party. At Adjuster University, we provide you with all of the training you need. That includes Xactimate training.
Xactimate training is a very important component of becoming a claims adjuster, especially if you are going to work for yourself to create your own business. This is one of the leading software programs used by claims adjusters in the field, and quite frankly, it is a necessary tool because of how comprehensive it can be.
Xactimate Training
Xactimate training will teach you how to use the program, including:
· Becoming fluent in graphical estimating
· Uploading, labeling, and managing inspection photos and documents
· Mastering all of the interface and functions of Xactimate
· Using the sketching tools for room building
· Utilizing the automation features
The entire process can be highly beneficial to improving your business skills and improving your ability to provide professional estimates to your clients.
Building Your Business
With your training, your license, and your Xactimate training, you may be ready to start building your business. It is time to flex your skills and start working to serve your clients. To build your business, you will need to learn the ins and outs of the industry and get tips for finding clients, building up your skills, and working to minimize risks. This is an industry where there is a lot to learn, and experience in the field is exceptional. Having a skilled and highly experienced team to help you get that extra skill can make a difference.
At Adjuster University, we can help you with our training programs. Take a few minutes now to check them out and start learning about how to build a six-figure business as a claims adjuster.
It takes a lot to become a claims adjuster. The entire process is very rewarding and worth the investment. You can learn how to become a claims adjuster with us at Adjuster University and be ready to start building your business in a matter of months. We highly recommend getting started now, as the demand for adjusters is rapidly increasing.
