How long does it take to become a claims adjuster?

It takes about 2 to 4 years to become a claims adjuster, including education and gaining work experience. Every state, however, has different rules and regulations to become an adjuster.

How much do claim specialists make?

Claim specialists make $16.63 an hour, on average ($34,000 a year). However, there is some range in how much a claims specialist can make, starting from as little as $24,000 a year to as much as $49,000 a year. Factors such as location and industry impact how much a claims specialist can make.

How much does a claims representative make?

A claims representative makes, on average, $37,000 a year ($17.91 an hour). However, how much a claims representative can make ranges from as little as $26,000 to as much as $51,000 a year. Factors such as location and industry impact how much a claims representative can make.

Is a claims rep the same as an adjuster?

Yes, a claims rep is the same as an adjuster. Depending on the insurance company they work for, their job title might be Claims Representative, Claims Specialist, Claims Examiner, or Claims Investigator. But as a group, these claims professionals are commonly referred to as "claims adjusters."

How To Become A Claims Representative: What It Is and Career Path

What is a claims representative and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A claims representative works for an insurance company to investigate and process claims. They interact with policyholders to gather information, review policies and coverage, and determine the validity of the claim. Claims representatives also work with adjusters, medical professionals, and experts to evaluate damages and resolve claims efficiently. They must have excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and fair decision-making practices. Overall, they ensure policyholders receive fair compensation and protect the interests of the insurance company.

ScoreClaims RepresentativeUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,796

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.3

Growth rate -6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.50%

Asian 5.14%

Black or African American 11.03%

Hispanic or Latino 16.49%

Unknown 4.39%

White 62.44%

Gender

female 62.55%

male 37.45%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

9.3

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.7

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a claims representative?

Pros

Competitive salary and benefits
Opportunity to work remotely
Job stability and security
Opportunities for teamwork and collaboration
Flexibility in work schedule

Cons

High stress and pressure to meet deadlines
Repetitive tasks and processes
Long hours or mandatory overtime during peak seasons
Working weekends or holidays
Limited decision-making authority

Key steps to become a claims representative

Explore claims representative education requirements

Most common claims representative degrees

Bachelor's

62.3 %

Associate

15.5 %

High School Diploma

10.0 %

Start to develop specific claims representative skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	25.90%
Quality Standards	6.46%
Policy Coverage	6.39%
Reservations	5.21%
Claims Handling	3.39%

Complete relevant claims representative training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New claims representatives learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a claims representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real claims representative resumes.

Gain additional claims representative certifications

Claims representative certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific claims representative certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for claims representatives include Associate in Claims (AIC) and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).

More About Certifications

Research claims representative duties and responsibilities

Perform initial set-up and continuously manage claims in the Juris claims management system.
Investigate, evaluate, and manage call to complete coverage analysis confirming or denying coverage using Xactimate estimating software.
Prepare necessary state filings within statutory limits, manage litigation and vocational rehabilitation process, used appropriate cost containment techniques.
Assist the training department in developing CSR training in order to set expectations.

Prepare your claims representative resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your claims representative resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a claims representative resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable claims representative resume templates

Build a professional claims representative resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your claims representative resume.

Apply for claims representative jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a claims representative job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do claims representatives rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Claims representative reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2021

Cons

When customers are not satisfied even when you know you have delivered the best service you could have and have gone beyond the call of duty in delivering same. They appear to not understand the dynamics of the process even if explained to them

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019

Pros

Working from home

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019