What does a material damage adjuster do?
Material damage adjuster responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real material damage adjuster resumes:
- Apply strong customer service, organizational and multitasking skills to efficiently manage auto insurance claims.
- Review files for SIU investigations for all fire and theft losses.
- Resolve total loss claims using CCC evaluations for market evaluation of vehicles.
- Research and resolve total loss claims, while obtaining reports from CCC.
- Create summaries explaining repair cost differences for arbitration purposes.
- Research and review delinquent mortgage cases, financial scenarios and individual homeowner situations to develop solutions compliant with investor policy.
- Complete repair estimate along with photographs using MSB estimating software.
Material damage adjuster skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Material Damage Adjusters are proficient in Insurance Claims, Policy Coverage, and Repair Estimates. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Material Damage Adjusters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Insurance Claims, 21%
Received License, North Carolina Department of Insurance Claims Adjuster.
- Policy Coverage, 19%
Investigate policy coverage, obtain facts of loss and determine liability in automobile accidents.
- Repair Estimates, 7%
Evaluated repair estimates and vehicle appraisal reports in order to determine damage extent, and feasibility of repairs.
- ISO, 6%
Analyze prior claims history and evaluate their significance to the particular claim by using the Insurance Service Office (ISO).
- Customer Service, 5%
Provide exceptional customer service while investing, evaluating and resolving auto liability claims in a nonstandard environment.
- Police Reports, 5%
Completed liability investigation by interviewing first and third party drivers, reviewing police reports, rules of the road, etc.
Most material damage adjusters use their skills in "insurance claims," "policy coverage," and "repair estimates" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential material damage adjuster responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a material damage 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, a material damage adjuster resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "investigate, analyze, evaluate, and settle insurance claims involving property and automobile losses. "
Communication skills. Many material damage 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 a material damage adjuster will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways material damage adjuster responsibilities rely on communication skills: "provided effective communication and outstanding customer service to all external/internal customers using principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. "
Detail oriented. material damage adjusters are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to material damage adjuster responsibilities, because "adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators must carefully review documents and damaged property, because small details can have large financial consequences." A material damage adjuster resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "investigate the loss, determine liability, review estimates, log details into database, and issue payments. "
Interpersonal skills. For certain material damage adjuster responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of a material damage 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 material damage adjusters do: "respected for interpersonal and customer service skills, integrity, leadership & team building. "
The three companies that hire the most material damage adjusters are:
- GEICO92 material damage adjusters jobs
- Erie Insurance24 material damage adjusters jobs
- GuideOne Insurance15 material damage adjusters jobs
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Compare different material damage adjusters
Material damage adjuster vs. Insurance investigator
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between material damage adjusters and insurance investigator. For instance, material damage adjuster responsibilities require skills such as "policy coverage," "repair estimates," "iso," and "customer service." Whereas a insurance investigator is skilled in "insurance benefits," "general liability," "insurance laws," and "consumer complaints." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that insurance investigators earn slightly differ from material damage adjusters. In particular, insurance investigators are 4.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a material damage adjuster. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material damage adjuster vs. Field investigator
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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that material damage adjuster responsibilities requires skills like "policy coverage," "repair estimates," "iso," and "customer service." But a field investigator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "excellent time management," "background checks," "mental health," and "criminal justice."
Field investigators earn a lower average salary than material damage adjusters. But field investigators earn the highest pay in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $41,014. Additionally, material damage adjusters earn the highest salaries in the insurance with average pay of $54,250 annually.field investigators earn similar levels of education than material damage adjusters in general. They're 4.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material damage adjuster vs. Claim investigator
Claim Investigators are professionals who are responsible for examining facts of insurance claims to determine their extent and validity to prevent any cases of fraud. These investigators must use a combination of tools such as cutting-edge software to help insurance companies to settle claims quickly by evaluating them. They are required to manage multiple cases by investigating defective products or events such as an oil spill. Claim Investigators must also prepare reports while keeping track of evidence trails.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from material damage adjuster resumes include skills like "policy coverage," "repair estimates," "customer service," and "repair facilities," whereas a claim investigator is more likely to list skills in "property damage," "fraud claims," "background checks," and "litigation. "
Claim investigators earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $56,935. Comparatively, material damage adjusters have the highest earning potential in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $54,250.Most claim investigators achieve a similar degree level compared to material damage adjusters. For example, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Material damage 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.
Types of material damage adjuster
Updated January 8, 2025
