Claims director vs claims manager

The differences between claims directors and claims managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a claims director and a claims manager. Additionally, a claims director has an average salary of $118,250, which is higher than the $73,369 average annual salary of a claims manager.

The top three skills for a claims director include customer service, litigation and oversight. The most important skills for a claims manager are customer service, oversight, and litigation.

Claims director vs claims manager overview

	Claims Director	Claims Manager
Yearly salary	$118,250	$73,369
Hourly rate	$56.85	$35.27
Growth rate	-6%	-6%
Number of jobs	13,299	30,302
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	44	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a claims director do?

A claims director spearheads and oversees the daily operations of an insurance company's claims department. They have the authority to make decisions and changes, set goals and timelines, establish guidelines and budgets, liaise with key external partners, coordinate managers and teams, delegate responsibilities, and conduct research and analysis to find opportunities that will optimize the department's operations. Moreover, a claims director leads and encourages staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's claims policies and regulations, developing new ones as needed.

What does a claims manager do?

A claims manager is an individual who works in an insurance-based firm and is responsible for managing the insurance claims department that is composed of examiners and adjusters. Claims managers are required to maintain claim files and reviewing these files as well as communicate with customers to follow up regarding issues they face with insurance claims. They must determine who is liable for the damage if there were other parties involved. Claims managers must also include an expert to assess the amount of damage and avoid insurance fraud.

Claims director vs claims manager salary

Claims directors and claims managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Claims Director	Claims Manager
Average salary	$118,250	$73,369
Salary range	Between $73,000 And $190,000	Between $45,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Zurich
Best paying industry	-	Insurance

Differences between claims director and claims manager education

There are a few differences between a claims director and a claims manager in terms of educational background:

	Claims Director	Claims Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	California State University - Bakersfield

Claims director vs claims manager demographics

Here are the differences between claims directors' and claims managers' demographics:

	Claims Director	Claims Manager
Average age	44	47
Gender ratio	Male, 58.2% Female, 41.8%	Male, 47.9% Female, 52.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	10%	8%

Differences between claims director and claims manager duties and responsibilities

Claims director example responsibilities.

Create project team that comply with new Medicare reporting requirements achieving successful reporting to CMS.
Maintain relationships with attorneys and manage litigation strategy; ensure strong relationships with insureds, brokers and third party administrators.
Redesign processes and procedures for managing litigation through the implementation of an aggressive process for managing discovery and case typing.
General knowledge of CPT, ICD-9, HCPCS, DRG and Medicode (UCR), bundling and unbundling.
File and respond to online arbitration matters.
Facilitate annual updates to all new and revise CPT codes assuring accurate claims payment.

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Claims manager example responsibilities.

Manage multiple outsource PPO networks that enable company to increase top line revenue.
Achieve improved structure and efficiency with initiation of pip specific unit.
Manage day-to-day operations of claims department and provide general oversight and direction of all claims activity.
Oversee implementation and management of litigation and expense protocols including AFA agreements and BLO oversight.
Respond to all DOI questions and concerns.
Work with TPA, service providers and personnel on the design, implementation, and management of wellness programs.

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Claims director vs claims manager skills

Common claims director skills

Customer Service, 17%
Litigation, 11%
Oversight, 9%
Coverage Issues, 6%
Claims Handling, 5%
Claims Operations, 5%

Common claims manager skills

Customer Service, 15%
Oversight, 11%
Litigation, 8%
Direct Reports, 4%
Claims Handling, 4%
Insurance Claims, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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