What does an auto claims adjuster do?
A claims adjuster inspects insurance claim liability for property damage or personal injuries and calculates payments. They can either work in-house for insurance companies or as external freelancers. They collect gathered information from different reliable sources to determine insurance obligations based on the degree of damage caused. It is part of their responsibility to interview claimants and witnesses and refer with experts like engineers or policyholders to estimate the damage and if it's covered by insurance policies.
Auto claims adjuster responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real auto claims adjuster resumes:
- Manage file inventory by utilizing CCC pathways diary system documenting claim file activities in accordance with establish procedures
- Work closely with staff attorneys to develop litigation strategies and prepare for depositions.
- Provide feedback and implement strategies on claim investigation, reserving, settlement and litigation.
- Research and review delinquent mortgage cases, financial scenarios and individual homeowner situations to develop solutions compliant with investor policy.
- Prepare written arguments for arbitration and provide all supporting documentation and evidence.
- Compile and submit arbitration applications against the insurers of at-fault parties who refuse liability.
- Collaborate with SIU department to decipher information collect during investigation on suspicious claims.
- Determine when SIU referral are necessary, base on evaluation of potentially suspicious customer claims.
- Review estimates through symbility estimating software program.
- Complete repair estimate along with photographs using MSB estimating software.
Auto claims adjuster skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Auto Claims Adjusters are proficient in Repair Process, Body Shop, and Strong Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Auto Claims Adjusters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Repair Process, 14%
Analyzed repair practicability; followed through the repair process and provided resources necessary to salvage vehicle back to its before-accident state.
- Body Shop, 10%
Answered dealer/body shops inquiries concerning supplemental repair or claim questions.
- Strong Customer Service, 9%
Use strong customer service skills to negotiate with policy holders, claimants, or attorneys to settle the claim to completion.
- Vehicle Inspections, 8%
Investigated liability and coverage through recorded statements, scene investigations, vehicle inspections, and policy interpretation.
- Insurance Claims, 7%
Investigated auto insurance claims for personal and commercial policies and effectively evaluated contract language and identified coverage issues.
- Customer Service, 5%
Provided excellent customer service by effectively explaining various repair operations, company policies, and options in plain language to customers.
Common skills that an auto claims adjuster uses to do their job include "repair process," "body shop," and "strong customer service." You can find details on the most important auto claims adjuster responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an auto claims adjuster to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what auto claims adjusters do because "adjusters and examiners must each evaluate whether the insurance company is obligated to pay a claim and determine the amount to pay." Additionally, an auto claims adjuster resume shows how auto claims adjusters use analytical skills: "analyze information and prepare report findings negotiate claim settlements and/or recommend litigation if required. "
Communication skills. Many auto claims adjuster duties rely on communication skills. "claims adjusters and investigators must get information from a range of people, including claimants, witnesses, and medical experts," so an auto claims adjuster will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways auto claims adjuster responsibilities rely on communication skills: "evaluated, negotiated, and resolved property damage claims directly with claimants by utilizing strong oral and written communication skills. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for auto claims adjusters to perform their duties. For an example of how auto claims adjuster responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators must carefully review documents and damaged property, because small details can have large financial consequences." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an auto claims adjuster: "drafted all official written correspondence, dictations, scheduling as it related to detailed insurance claims. ".
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what auto claims adjusters do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to auto claims adjuster responsibilities because "adjusters, examiners, and investigators often meet with claimants and others who may be upset by the situation that requires a claim or by the settlement the company is offering." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical auto claims adjuster tasks: "demonstrated strong interpersonal communication skills used to negotiate with third-party insurance carriers and claimants to determine liability for claims. "
The three companies that hire the most auto claims adjusters are:
- Progressive143 auto claims adjusters jobs
- GEICO131 auto claims adjusters jobs
- Sedgwick LLP81 auto claims adjusters jobs
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Auto claims adjuster vs. Field investigator
A field investigator is responsible for collecting information and evidence to support ongoing investigations of law enforcement agencies. Field investigators analyze the occurrence and connections of criminal activities by gathering related cases and coordinating with scene witnesses. They also validate the information by conducting surveillance operations and coordinating with law professionals. A field investigator may also work for private clients, updating them regularly for the progress, and informing them of additional actions as needed to solve complicated cases.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an auto claims adjuster are more likely to require skills like "repair process," "body shop," "working independently," and "strong customer service." On the other hand, a job as a field investigator requires skills like "excellent time management," "background checks," "mental health," and "criminal justice." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Field investigators earn the highest salaries when working in the insurance industry, with an average yearly salary of $41,014. On the other hand, auto claims adjusters are paid more in the insurance industry with an average salary of $53,592.field investigators tend to reach similar levels of education than auto claims adjusters. In fact, field investigators are 4.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Auto claims adjuster vs. Insurance examiner
A claims examiner is responsible for conducting a claim review of a client against a particular insurance company--usually a health and life insurance company. An examiner must review claims and then approve them, reject them, or develop a possible settlement. They need to communicate with policyholders and insurance agents to assess if all the information under the company's claims guidelines and policies are correct and accurate.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, auto claims adjuster responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "repair process," "body shop," "working independently," and "strong customer service." Meanwhile, an insurance examiner has duties that require skills in areas such as "ekg," "financial statements," "blood pressure," and "health history." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Insurance examiners earn a lower average salary than auto claims adjusters. But insurance examiners earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $54,171. Additionally, auto claims adjusters earn the highest salaries in the insurance with average pay of $53,592 annually.In general, insurance examiners achieve similar levels of education than auto claims adjusters. They're 3.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Auto claims adjuster vs. Subrogation specialist
An appraiser is someone who assesses the monetary value of a property such as an automobile, real property, and personal claim. His/Her or her responsibilities include resolving disparities between a property's monetary values and preparing narrative reports for projects. The essential skills that an appraiser should possess to accomplish such responsibilities include a keen eye for details, strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work under pressure. The education requirements for the job vary depending on the area of focus.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from auto claims adjuster resumes include skills like "repair process," "body shop," "working independently," and "strong customer service," whereas a subrogation specialist is more likely to list skills in "subrogation claims," "workers compensation," "auto claims," and "potential recovery. "
When it comes to education, subrogation specialists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to auto claims adjusters. In fact, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Auto claims adjuster vs. Appraiser
Types of auto claims adjuster
Updated January 8, 2025
