How to hire a general adjuster

How to hire a general adjuster, step by step

Here's a step-by-step general adjuster hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a general adjuster job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new general adjuster
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your general adjuster job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a general adjuster for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A general adjuster's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, general adjusters from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents general adjuster salaries for various positions.

   Type of General Adjuster	Description	Hourly rate
   General Adjuster	Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company must pay a claim, and if so, how much... Show more	$19-45
   Disability Examiner	A disability examiner is primarily in charge of conducting assessments and examinations to determine an applicant's eligibility for disability benefits and programs. Their duties usually include reviewing medical and health records, conducting interviews, and evaluating applications... Show more	$13-27
   Risk And Insurance Consultant	A risk and insurance consultant is a person whose job is to advise organizations and companies on what might happen in the future and how to deal with it. They advise the management on the next steps and possible outcomes... Show more	$33-56

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Xactimate
   • Claims Handling
   • Litigation
   • Commercial Property
   • Insurance Coverage
   • Homeowner
   • Roofing
   • Insurance Claims
   • Physical Damage
   • Bodily Injury
   • Coverage Analysis
   • Auto Liability
   • Settlement Conferences

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Apply strong customer service, organizational and multitasking skills to efficiently manage auto insurance claims.
   • Investigate and evaluate bodily injury and property damage automobile and homeowner claims.
   • Respond to arbitration responses when need.
   • Investigate, inspect, scoped and estimate in Xactimate every loss assign.
   • Evaluate and estimate homeowner property damage.
   • Evaluate cost benefits so early settlement versus further litigation and negotiate settlement.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your general adjuster job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A general adjuster can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, general adjusters' average salary in mississippi is 32% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level general adjusters 56% less than senior-level general adjusters.
   • Certifications. A general adjuster with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a general adjuster's salary.

   Average general adjuster salary

   $62,495yearly

   $30.05 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level general adjuster salary

   $41,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a general adjuster job description

   A general adjuster job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a general adjuster job description:

   General adjuster job description example

   Work independently and within authority granted to investigate, evaluate, create estimates, negotiate, and resolve on-site large loss property claims in excess of $250,000. Review coverage, determine liability, secure information, document files, and settle and pay claims, utilizing claims best practices adhering to claims department policies and procedures. Assign and direct independent vendors, attorneys, qualified experts, and consultants to achieve successful resolutions of claims. Set accurate and timely reserves. Develop subrogation and recovery potential. Maintain file documentation and notes and work diary for travel and home-based duties. Actively share knowledge with team members, contributing to training programs and mentoring fellow claims handlers. Travel to loss sites and Home Office.
   Responsibilities I. Manage the direct adjustment of large loss property claims with a physical visit to loss site and prompt contact with all knowledgeable parties. Work with contractors and construction managers where necessary. II. Develop the claim facts and analyze and address coverage issues timely and accurately under the contract. III. Review and direct experts, consultants, attorneys, and other claims vendors to achieve appropriate claims outcomes. Acquire and direct qualified engineers or experts when needed. Review all vendor charges for appropriateness. IV. Evaluate damages and use knowledge of claim investigations, litigation, and insurance contracts and industry trends to set accurate and timely reserves. V. Evaluate, negotiate settlements, and pay claims within designated authority. Provide detailed claim data to reinsurers as necessary. Refer to manager all errors and omissions and payments and reserves in excess of authority. Refer all claims involving bad faith or threat of bad faith. VI. Oversee repair of structures for losses settled on a repair basis versus cash settlements. VII. Maintain a well-documented file and articulate file notes able to be read and understood by not only Claims but other involved parties. Carry out necessary communications to accomplish adjustment of the claims. VIII. Explore subrogation and recovery potential. IX. Complete state reporting requirements through necessary filings or insurance department reports as requested. X. Significant travel will be required, including travel to loss site and Home Office. Maintain a regular work diary for all travel and home-based duties. XI. Present cases and regularly share expertise through the claims committee process, participation in training programs, and mentoring of fellow claims handlers. Qualifications 1. Prior Experience: • Ten plus years of large/complex property adjusting experience, demonstrating successful evaluation and negotiation of claims settlements.
   • Experience in writing estimates in excess of $250,000, using a current estimation software platform. 2. Education: • Bachelor's degree is required.
   • Significant industry experience with a high school diploma or equivalent may be considered in place of a bachelor's degree.
   • An AIC or CPCU designation or evidence of continuing education in insurance claims is highly desirable. 3. Necessary Knowledge and Abilities: • Ability to understand building engineering and construction concepts and apply damage solutions.
   • Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
   • Advanced analytical skills.
   • Advanced organizational skills to manage a claim inventory under limited supervision.
   • Advanced knowledge in insurance coverage and contracts and evaluating and setting timely and accurate reserves.
   • Advanced knowledge to handle large property claims including analyzing engineering reports, writing specifications for repair, estimating damages, and applying other technical skills.
   • Demonstrated ability to deliver high-caliber customer claim service.
   • Advanced listening and negotiation skills.
   • Ability to establish meaningful end results, producing relationships with a wide spectrum of people--both internally and externally.
   • Moderate-to-advanced knowledge of computer system necessary to process claims and to provide the required reporting.
   • Willingness to develop professional knowledge and to share knowledge and contribute to the growth of fellow claims handlers.
   • Ability to physically inspect property damage, including roofs.
   • Able to work with limited direct supervision.
   • Significant travel will be required. Church Mutual is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We can recommend jobs specifically for you! Click here to get started.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right general adjuster for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with general adjusters they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit general adjusters who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your general adjuster job on Zippia to find and recruit general adjuster candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit general adjusters, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new general adjuster

   Once you have selected a candidate for the general adjuster position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new general adjuster first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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