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Field investigator vs insurance examiner

The differences between field investigators and insurance examiners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a field investigator and an insurance examiner. Additionally, an insurance examiner has an average salary of $50,967, which is higher than the $34,305 average annual salary of a field investigator.

The top three skills for a field investigator include excellent time management, background checks and mental health. The most important skills for an insurance examiner are EKG, financial statements, and blood pressure.

Field investigator vs insurance examiner overview

Field InvestigatorInsurance Examiner
Yearly salary$34,305$50,967
Hourly rate$16.49$24.50
Growth rate-6%-6%
Number of jobs49,06839,601
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a field investigator do?

A field investigator is responsible for collecting information and evidence to support ongoing investigations of law enforcement agencies. Field investigators analyze the occurrence and connections of criminal activities by gathering related cases and coordinating with scene witnesses. They also validate the information by conducting surveillance operations and coordinating with law professionals. A field investigator may also work for private clients, updating them regularly for the progress, and informing them of additional actions as needed to solve complicated cases.

What does an insurance examiner do?

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.

Field investigator vs insurance examiner salary

Field investigators and insurance examiners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field InvestigatorInsurance Examiner
Average salary$34,305$50,967
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $50,000Between $34,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAFarmington, CT
Highest paying stateCaliforniaRhode Island
Best paying companyThe Travelers CompaniesRSM US
Best paying industryInsuranceHealth Care

Differences between field investigator and insurance examiner education

There are a few differences between a field investigator and an insurance examiner in terms of educational background:

Field InvestigatorInsurance Examiner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldUniversity of Pennsylvania

Field investigator vs insurance examiner demographics

Here are the differences between field investigators' and insurance examiners' demographics:

Field InvestigatorInsurance Examiner
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 72.5% Female, 27.5%Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between field investigator and insurance examiner duties and responsibilities

Field investigator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
  • Conduct SIU investigations and activity checks/interviews.
  • Complete advanced SIU training in arson investigation, forensics, interrogation and statistical analysis.
  • Investigate and open cases on customers and non-customers who have potentially engage in activity which goes against federally mandate BSA/AML regulations.
  • Work with lawyers, insurance investigators, medical providers, Medicaid clients, and co-workers to resolve issues.
  • Complete additional training and implementation of health insurance billing, both commercial and government (Medicare and Medicaid).
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Insurance examiner example responsibilities.

  • Manage operating procedure and accounting systems for payroll, operating expenses, supplies and inventory management and commercial accounts.
  • Court / arbitration / litigation appearances.
  • Review the subpoenas records in court house.
  • Used audit software utilize at insure's site, with PAAS and GAAP.
  • Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
  • Perform insurance exams in client's homes which including history and physicals and phlebotomy.
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Field investigator vs insurance examiner skills

Common field investigator skills
  • Excellent Time Management, 29%
  • Background Checks, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Criminal Justice, 5%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%
  • Comprehensive Reports, 4%
Common insurance examiner skills
  • EKG, 14%
  • Financial Statements, 7%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Health History, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • Naic, 6%

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