Work Responsibilities

• Claims adjusters handle automobile, motorcycle, homeowners, boat and recreational vehicle claims. They assess damages and injuries that result from a covered loss. Claims adjusters investigate the circumstances surrounding the property or injury loss. They also handle liability claims such as negligence lawsuits. They review hospital records, police reports and/or vehicle repair receipts to determine the extent of a loss and who was responsible for causing the loss. Adjusters negotiate settlements between the insurance company and the claimant as well as determine the extent of the insurance company's obligation to pay a loss based on the limits of the policy.
  
  

Employment Type

• Most claims adjusters work for property and casualty insurance companies. Staff adjusters work on behalf of the insurance company. They are responsible for protecting the company's interests when a policyholder files a claim. They investigate possible fraudulent claims and do all that is necessary to ensure the insurer does not pay out more than what is required for a claim.
  
  Public claims adjusters work on behalf of the policyholder or claimant. Policyholders hire public claims adjusters to ensure fair settlement of their claim. Public adjusters are usually self-employed and charge a fee for their services.
  
  

Work Environment

• Claims adjusters work from offices but spend a considerable amount of time traveling to claims sites to meet with clients. They physically inspect damaged buildings and vehicles. Adjusters are often exposed to hazards such as weak building structures. Claims adjusters typically work 40 hours a week. Overtime is often required during natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes.
  
  

Training

• The minimum education requirement to be a claims adjuster is a high school diploma but many adjusters have some college education or a bachelor's degree. Most adjusters have insurance-related experience or a background in business or accounting. Adjusters receive on-the-job training to learn company procedures and internal systems. Outside of the technical requirements for the job, adjusters should have good interviewing and interrogation skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively.