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The differences between claims representatives and adjusters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a claims representative, becoming an adjuster takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an adjuster has an average salary of $49,396, which is higher than the $38,796 average annual salary of a claims representative.
The top three skills for a claims representative include customer service, quality standards and policy coverage. The most important skills for an adjuster are customer service, strong customer service, and litigation.
| Claims Representative | Adjuster | |
| Yearly salary | $38,796 | $49,396 |
| Hourly rate | $18.65 | $23.75 |
| Growth rate | -6% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 18,565 | 7,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A Claims Representative is an agent who works for insurance companies in order to investigate and settle claims. The agent acts as an intermediary between customers and insurance companies by evaluating the customers' facts surrounding claims and determining whether the loss is covered or should be compensated. Such a role is important because an agent makes sure that no fraud claims are being paid out. It is also highlighted that an agent works in compliance with state regulations.
An adjuster is responsible for evaluating the extent of loss in the company by calculating the damage costs, determining the settlement payment to the client, and managing the reputation of the company for claims accountability. Adjusters must have extensive knowledge of the insurance principles and processes, following the state and federal regulations to protect clients and the business from insurance fraud. They collect documents from different organizations, perform field research, and interview witnesses to verify the accuracy of claims statement.
Claims representatives and adjusters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Claims Representative | Adjuster | |
| Average salary | $38,796 | $49,396 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $35,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Dearborn, MI | Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | W. R. Berkley | FCCI |
| Best paying industry | Government | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a claims representative and an adjuster in terms of educational background:
| Claims Representative | Adjuster | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between claims representatives' and adjusters' demographics:
| Claims Representative | Adjuster | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% | Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |