What does a field adjuster do?
A field adjuster is an individual who creates property and contents estimates based on the field inspection using the Xactimate estimating software with photos and diagrams. Field adjusters are required to investigate and evaluate property damage to determine and negotiate a monetary settlement for each claim. They must complete reports and itemize billing to be submitted to insurance companies for services rendered. Field adjusters must provide exceptional customer service to all parties involved to aid in the settlement process and maintain customer satisfaction.
Field adjuster responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real field adjuster resumes:
- Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
- Provide optimum service to policyholders and agents, negotiate fair settlements and identify SIU claims.
- Process boat, auto, motorcycle, and motorhome RV claims thru various estimating software.
- Participate in development of claim handling strategies for mediation claims with home office personnel and attorneys.
- Work closely with SIU in the handling of 1st party auto theft claims from initiation to completion.
- Coordinate inspections with insure, this entail booking flights, hotel and rental reservations all while considering the overall cost.
- Work with involve parties including attorneys, mediation and arbitration in order to settle claims when appropriate within authority levels.
- Verify coverage, obtain photos and measurements on site and compute estimates in Xactimate for disposition.
- Investigate and evaluate property damage to determine coverage and negotiate a monetary settlement for each claim using Xactimate.
- Handle personal lines and commercial lines general/auto liability claims involving complex injuries, complex property damage and litigation.
- Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
- Complete Audatex form with specific vehicle information and writing damage report.
- Enter sketches, property information into computer, and make adjustments to determine value for taxation purposes.
- Perform appraisals on business personal property as well as residential and commercial properties for taxation purposes.
Field adjuster skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Field Adjusters are proficient in Customer Service, Xactimate, and Strong Negotiation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Field Adjusters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 20%
Recognized for ability to provide excellent customer service based on positive results of customer satisfaction surveys.
- Xactimate, 17%
Verified coverage, obtained photos and measurements on site and computed estimates in Xactimate for disposition.
- Strong Negotiation, 7%
Used strong negotiation skills to get an agreement on labor and repair time to ensure lower cycle times at repair shops.
- Insurance Policies, 6%
Reviewed insurance policies and verified coverage.
- Claims Handling, 3%
Oversee day to day operations of state claims handling for multiple states.
- CCC, 3%
Followed up on supplements, CCC reports, bodily injury, PIP, and total loss vehicle.
Most field adjusters use their skills in "customer service," "xactimate," and "strong negotiation" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential field adjuster responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a field adjuster to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what field 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, a field adjuster resume shows how field adjusters use analytical skills: "manage claim activity through verification of coverage, investigations, claims analysis, settlement negotiations and litigation support. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform field adjuster duties is communication skills. Field adjusters responsibilities require that "claims adjusters and investigators must get information from a range of people, including claimants, witnesses, and medical experts." Field adjusters also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintained appropriate communication with insured party, appraisers, rental facilities, and body shops. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for field adjusters to perform their duties. For an example of how field 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 a field adjuster: "managed multiple insurance claims at one time and provide outstanding detailed reports meeting strict deadlines. ".
Interpersonal skills. For certain field adjuster responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of a field adjuster rely on this skill, as "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." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what field adjusters do: "respected for interpersonal and customer service skills, integrity, leadership & team building. "
The three companies that hire the most field adjusters are:
- Zurich295 field adjusters jobs
- Raphael & Associates57 field adjusters jobs
- RYZE Claim Solutions43 field adjusters jobs
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Field 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between field adjusters and insurance examiner. For instance, field adjuster responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "xactimate," "strong negotiation," and "ccc." Whereas a insurance examiner is skilled in "ekg," "financial statements," "blood pressure," and "health history." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Insurance examiners earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $54,171. On the other hand, field adjusters are paid more in the insurance industry with an average salary of $58,161.On average, insurance examiners reach similar levels of education than field adjusters. Insurance examiners are 3.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Field adjuster vs. Total loss specialist
As a Total Loss Specialist, your job will involve appraising the damage and determining the salvage value on the total-loss vehicle. You will be tasked with examining the damaged vehicle to ascertain the extent of damage done to its body and structure and other mechanical, electrical, and internal damage. You'd also have to arrange with another appraiser to resolve any disagreement with the shop on the cost of repair after determining the extent of the damage to the vehicle.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that field adjuster responsibilities requires skills like "xactimate," "insurance policies," "physical damage," and "policy coverage." But a total loss specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "hr," "outbound calls," "inbound calls," and "training sessions."
Total loss specialists earn similar levels of education than field adjusters in general. They're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field adjuster vs. Subrogation specialist
A claims investigator is responsible for examining and investigating in a particular insurance claim is valid. They ensure that the insurance company will settle claims as soon as possible. They resolve issues to prevent fraudulent allegations. This career also requires effective communication. Claims investigators must often conduct interviews.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from field adjuster resumes include skills like "customer service," "xactimate," "insurance policies," and "ccc," whereas a subrogation specialist is more likely to list skills in "subrogation claims," "workers compensation," "potential recovery," and "payment arrangements. "
Most subrogation specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to field adjusters. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field adjuster vs. Insurance investigator
Types of field adjuster
Updated January 8, 2025
