How to hire a claim investigator

How to hire a claim investigator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step claim investigator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a claim investigator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new claim investigator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a claim investigator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a claim investigator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a claim investigator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a claim investigator that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of claim investigators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Claim Investigator	Description	Hourly rate
   Claim Investigator	Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company must pay a claim, and if so, how much... Show more	$17-31
   Fraud Analyst	Fraud analysts are responsible for monitoring bank accounts, accounting paperwork, and financial transactions. They analyze the data to identify any fraudulent and suspicious activities within an organization... Show more	$14-44
   Property Adjuster	Typically working for insurance companies, a property adjuster specializes in inspecting property damages to assess and determine a company's financial obligations. Their responsibilities revolve around reaching out to clients through calls and correspondence, arranging appointments, gathering and verifying data, and traveling to different locations to meet with clients... Show more	$18-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Scene Investigations
   • Insurance Claims
   • Property Damage
   • Fraud Claims
   • Background Checks
   • Litigation
   • Investigative Reports
   • Insurance Carriers
   • Insurance Policies
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Conduct Investigations
   • Insurance Fraud
   • Insurance Coverage
   • SIU

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
   • Coordinate with SIU investigators in their investigations of the same claimant or insure.
   • Collaborate with SIU, fire, and police personnel in an effort to resolve investigations.
   • Conduct extensive field investigations and interact with staff attorneys on litigation matters.
   • Prepare and/or review property and content estimates for settlement using Xactimate and XactContents software programs.
   • Conduct complete assessment of interior and exterior damage to create a detail repair estimate within Xactimate software.

   More claim investigator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your claim investigator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A claim investigator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, claim investigators' average salary in florida is 42% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level claim investigators 43% less than senior-level claim investigators.
   • Certifications. A claim investigator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a claim investigator's salary.

   Average claim investigator salary

   $49,415yearly

   $23.76 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level claim investigator salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average claim investigator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$57,082	$27
   2	Connecticut	$53,578	$26
   3	Washington	$53,412	$26
   4	New York	$52,264	$25
   5	Maryland	$52,016	$25
   6	New Hampshire	$51,297	$25
   7	Vermont	$50,483	$24
   8	Minnesota	$49,216	$24
   9	Montana	$48,928	$24
   10	Nevada	$48,001	$23
   11	Illinois	$46,846	$23
   12	Wisconsin	$46,043	$22
   13	Texas	$45,685	$22
   14	North Dakota	$45,607	$22
   15	Colorado	$45,517	$22
   16	Utah	$43,781	$21
   17	Arizona	$43,040	$21
   18	Nebraska	$42,847	$21
   19	Georgia	$41,498	$20
   20	Wyoming	$41,068	$20

   Average claim investigator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Health Alliance	$54,304	$26.11
   2	Con Edison	$54,159	$26.04
   3	UnitedHealth Group	$51,660	$24.84	10
   4	Xcel Energy	$51,365	$24.69	2
   5	JBS USA	$50,564	$24.31
   6	Washington State University	$49,713	$23.90
   7	Emergis	$49,302	$23.70
   8	Hollywood Park Casino	$49,217	$23.66
   9	NV Energy	$49,169	$23.64
   10	Crawford & Company	$49,129	$23.62	20
   11	Farmer Brothers	$48,979	$23.55
   12	DigiStream	$48,898	$23.51	23
   13	Con Edison Development	$48,701	$23.41
   14	CoventBridge Group	$48,686	$23.41	77
   15	Allied Solutions	$46,109	$22.17	1
   16	Randstad North America, Inc.	$45,653	$21.95	2
   17	Adecco	$41,728	$20.06
   18	Indiana State Police	$31,904	$15.34	3

4. Writing a claim investigator job description

   A good claim investigator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a claim investigator job description:

   Claim investigator job description example

   The City of Atlanta Department of Law is seeking qualified applicants for a Claims Investigator within the Claims Group. The Claims Group which manages claims filed against the City of Atlanta.
   General Description and Classification Standards
   
   The individual in this position is responsible for providing investigative legal services for the City of Atlanta. Duties include gathering information, evidence and other discovery data related to on-going investigations; interviewing witnesses; performing on-site inspections; performing legal research; making recommendations for settlement or denial of claims for pending cases, etc. This is an experienced and seasoned professional, capable of independently carrying out most assignments typical of the investigation profession.
   
   Essential Duties & Responsibilities
   
   These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned.
   
   * Develops and executes investigative plans to gather information (e.g., witnesses, electronic data, physical evidence) to assess the validity of a claim
   * Corresponds and works with individuals, insurance companies, attorneys, government agencies, inter-departmental teams to prioritize, manage and investigate claims to substantiate or disprove them.
   * Makes site visits
   * Locates and schedules appointments with witnesses (employees, medical professionals, and other individuals) for interviews
   * Employs screening and investigative techniques, e.g. logical deduction and critical thinking skills,
   * Answers, in a timely manner, claims-related calls, letters, texts, and emails, and regularly updates claimant and other concerned parties.
   * Maintains case files using case management software
   * Manages workload for a timely and efficient resolution of the claim while limiting the liability to the City of Atlanta.
   * Develops relationships with key members of the Law Department Practice Groups, other departments, boards, and agencies within the City of Atlanta
   * Prepares written summary of the claim investigation and prepares preliminary settlement document with recommendations for disposition of claim for approval by Claims Manager or Supervisory Attorney.
   * Present case studies to team members identifying issues and challenges encountered and providing best practices on how to determine the appropriate resolution
   * Uses a variety of resource tools to assist in investigations. Examples are state and local codes, Westlaw, Google Tools, special investigation tools (give examples), etc.
   * Operates the Department of Law's Document Management System with proficiency.
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   High School Diploma and at least five (5) or more years of work experience. Must possess a valid Georgia driver's license and must obtain a Georgia Insurance Adjuster License within nine (9) months of employment.
   
   Preferred Education & Experience
   
   Associates degree or at least three (3) years of progressive administrative or risk management investigative experience or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess valid Georgia driver's license and must complete insurance adjuster training course and obtain Georgia Insurance Adjuster License within 9 months of hiring.
   
   Licensures and Certifications
   
   Must complete insurance adjuster training course and obtain Georgia Insurance license within 6 months of hiring. Must have a valid driver's license.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find claim investigators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your claim investigator job on Zippia to find and recruit claim investigator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit claim investigators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new claim investigator

   Once you've selected the best claim investigator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new claim investigator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a claim investigator?