How do I become an adjuster?

If you are interested in becoming a staff adjuster for an insurance company then you will need to apply with that company directly.  Most employers will require the staff adjuster to have a 2 year college degree or greater before being considered for the position.  However, if the applicant has prior experience or has similar qualifications that would make the individual a good candidate, then the company may overlook having a college degree as a requirement.  Research the insurance companies that you would like to work for.  Most insurance companies will only accept online applications.  Keep in mind that you will be competing with others for the position, including those who already work within that company.

Working for an insurance company offers many opportunities for advancement.  Starting off as an inside staff adjuster is a very good opportunity to expose yourself to insurance policy language.  Inside adjusting positions are usually entry level.  You do not physically visit the properties to build an estimate or reach a settlement.  All claims handling within this position is handled in an office or by working from home.  Inside adjusters are often promoted to outside property adjusters from within the company.

Upon being hired by an insurance company, you will most likely undergo a few weeks or months of paid training before handling your first claim (under supervision).  Each insurance company will vary on training and employment protocols.

Becoming an independent adjuster requires a little more involvement.  Usually independent adjusters undergo a crash-course in adjusting before handling their first insurance claim.  Self motivation will play a huge role in your success as an independent adjuster.  You will need to obtain a certification for the specific insurance company you will be representing and several state licenses before being eligible for deployment from an independent adjusting firm.  You will also need to purchase all of your adjusting equipment.  You may view a list of essential claim handling equipment by clicking visiting the "Insurance Adjusting Equipment" page.  Affordable insurance adjusting equipment can be purchased online at Amazon.com.

Starting out with an entry level position will offer you the greatest chance for success as an adjuster.  2 story and steep teams are used by multiple insurance companies to handle potentially hazardous properties (i.e. 2 story or greater dwellings and steep dwellings).  Becoming a 2 story and steep helper (also referred to as a ground position) through your independent adjusting firm will offer you the opportunity to be taken in under an experienced adjuster’s wing.  You will get to see, first hand, the claims process and learn valuable “tricks of the trade”.  This is especially useful if you are not familiar with insurance practices or general construction.

To become eligible for a 2 story and steep helper (ground) position, you will need to do the following.

1. Get on an independent adjusting firm’s roster.
   
   
   
   1. You will need to apply with an adjusting firm online.  There are many firms who constantly accept new applicants.  Research “independent adjusting firms” online and apply to all that interest you.  Dozens of small and large adjusting firms are eager to help guide you along your way.  (The more you succeed the more money an independent adjusting firm makes from the insurance company.)


2. Once you are on an independent adjuster firm’s roster you will then need to obtain a certification to be allowed to handle claims for an insurance company.
   
   
   
   1. Your independent adjusting firm will offer insurance company certifications.  Training and certification classes exist online, however you will most likely be required to physically visit your firm to attend training before becoming certified.

After you are on an independent adjusting firm’s roster and have obtained a certification for the represented insurance company; you will then need to become licensed to run insurance claims.

Each state has different requirements to becoming a licensed adjuster.  You will need to obtain licenses in each state that you will be adjusting in (some states do not require licensing to adjust).  This can be a tedious task, however once you have obtained you first state license it will become much easier to obtain other state licenses.  The best states to become a licensed adjuster in are Indiana, Texas and Florida.  These states are very prone for weather related events, and these state licenses reciprocate with many other states.  I would strongly recommend getting Texas as your first state license.  Texas reciprocates with the most states, and is highly regarded (as Texas is notorious for having some of the highest insurance claim volume per year).  You will need to complete an online training course from the Texas department of insurance before becoming eligible for a Texasstate license.  Once you have obtained your Texas license, you may simply apply to other states (without taking another test) and pay the licensing fees to become accepted.

For more information on how to obtain a proper certification and state licensing, please visit the Licensing and Training page.  For further help, also visit AdjusterPro and Sircon.  AdjusterPro is a fantastic organization that offers training and licensing assistance for independent adjusters.  Through AdjusterPro's services you will gain a competitive edge as an adjuster and learn to become an invaluable asset to any insurance company.  AdjusterPro also offers Xactimate27 training.  Xactimate has become an industry standard for claims handling and is the computer software you will be using to create estimates for your claims.  The key to every adjuster’s success and deployment is pristine Xactimate estimate building.  Maximizing your Xactimate skills will also greatly increase your billing potential as an independent insurance adjuster.  Sircon is a website for obtaining and maintaining your insurance adjusting licenses.  You will also receive e-mail reminders when your state licenses are about to expire.