What does an insurance adjuster do?
Insurance adjuster responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real insurance adjuster resumes:
- Achieve targeted performance goals in every aspect to manage costs and support Allstate's industry-leading operational standards.
- Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
- Train in Xactimate estimation and sketch programs.
- Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
- Skil in complex arbitration and mediation negotiations.
- Recommend files for arbitration or litigation base on evidence available and inability to compromise with adverse party.
- Maintain disability files with pertinent client information according to HIPAA privacy rules throughout the disability process.
Insurance adjuster skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Insurance Adjusters are proficient in Insurance Policies, Customer Service, and Liability Claims. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Insurance Adjusters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Insurance Policies, 15%
Followed company procedures and exceeded company standards while servicing members' auto insurance policies.
- Customer Service, 15%
Started as outside field adjuster, provided superior customer service, promoted to technical specialist worked with residential and commercial businesses.
- Liability Claims, 9%
Investigated, assessed liability and settled Worker's Compensation, Automobile and General Liability claims for many insurance companies.
- Auto Claims, 7%
Mentor new adjusters and help them learn system we used in order to help them start investigations on new auto claims.
- Catastrophe Claims, 5%
Managed Homeowner Catastrophe claims for local insurance carriers.
- Public Adjusters, 4%
Compiled computer generated estimates as they related to damages and negotiated pricing with contractors, homeowners and public adjusters.
Most insurance adjusters use their skills in "insurance policies," "customer service," and "liability claims" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential insurance adjuster responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for an insurance adjuster to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "adjusters and examiners must each evaluate whether the insurance company is obligated to pay a claim and determine the amount to pay." Additionally, an insurance adjuster resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed insurance claims, regularly communicated with insurance companies and contractors regarding claims. "
Communication skills. Many insurance adjuster duties rely on communication skills. "claims adjusters and investigators must get information from a range of people, including claimants, witnesses, and medical experts," so an insurance adjuster will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways insurance adjuster responsibilities rely on communication skills: "demonstrate excellent communication skills and leadership abilities through negotiations with homeowners, public adjusters, lawyers, contractors, and engineers. "
Detail oriented. insurance adjusters are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to insurance adjuster responsibilities, because "adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators must carefully review documents and damaged property, because small details can have large financial consequences." An insurance adjuster resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "verify accident details through interviews with policy holders, claimants, witnesses, and other related parties. "
Interpersonal skills. For certain insurance adjuster responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of an insurance 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 insurance adjusters do: "maintained good interpersonal communication skills and exhibited good judgment and sound reasoning processed and recorded new commercial insurance policies and claims. "
The three companies that hire the most insurance adjusters are:
- CUNA Mutual Group
3 insurance adjusters jobs
- GEICO1 insurance adjusters jobs
- Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.1 insurance adjusters jobs
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Compare different insurance adjusters
Insurance adjuster vs. Claims representative
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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an insurance adjuster are more likely to require skills like "catastrophe claims," "public adjusters," "state farm insurance," and "property loss." On the other hand, a job as a claims representative requires skills like "taking care," "judgment decision making," "quality standards," and "reservations." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Claims representatives earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $45,430. On the other hand, insurance adjusters are paid more in the insurance industry with an average salary of $60,583.The education levels that claims representatives earn slightly differ from insurance adjusters. In particular, claims representatives are 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an insurance adjuster. Additionally, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Insurance adjuster vs. Subrogation 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real insurance adjuster resumes. While insurance adjuster responsibilities can utilize skills like "insurance policies," "customer service," "catastrophe claims," and "public adjusters," subrogation specialists use skills like "subrogation claims," "litigation," "workers compensation," and "potential recovery."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Subrogation specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than insurance adjusters. In fact, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Insurance adjuster vs. Total loss specialist
A claims supervisor is in charge of overseeing the workflow and the workforce involved in processing insurance claims, ensuring accuracy and smooth progress. Their responsibilities typically revolve around liaising with key clients and third party agencies, assisting staff in negotiating terms, verifying the authenticity and completeness of all applications, monitoring the finances, and resolving complex issues. Furthermore, as a claims supervisor, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach goals, all while making sure that they adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from insurance adjuster resumes include skills like "insurance policies," "liability claims," "auto claims," and "catastrophe claims," whereas a total loss specialist is more likely to list skills in "hr," "outbound calls," "inbound calls," and "training sessions. "
Most total loss specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to insurance adjusters. For example, they're 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Insurance adjuster vs. Claims supervisor
Types of insurance adjuster
Updated January 8, 2025
