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The differences between senior claims adjusters and total loss specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior claims adjuster and a total loss specialist. Additionally, a senior claims adjuster has an average salary of $58,688, which is higher than the $51,718 average annual salary of a total loss specialist.
The top three skills for a senior claims adjuster include customer service, litigation and coverage issues. The most important skills for a total loss specialist are customer service, HR, and outbound calls.
| Senior Claims Adjuster | Total Loss Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $58,688 | $51,718 |
| Hourly rate | $28.22 | $24.86 |
| Growth rate | -6% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 11,495 | 33,617 |
| Job satisfaction | 2 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior claims adjuster is in charge of inspecting and analyzing insurance claims to validate and adjust payments. Among their responsibilities include reviewing and verifying claims documents, visiting sites to investigate property damages and personal injuries, gathering evidence such as photos and videos, and conducting interviews with witnesses and clients. Moreover, as a senior claims adjuster, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to fellow claims adjusters while enforcing and promoting the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Senior claims adjusters and total loss specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Claims Adjuster | Total Loss Specialist | |
| Average salary | $58,688 | $51,718 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $91,000 | Between $32,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Roseville, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | - |
| Best paying company | EMC Insurance | - |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | - |
There are a few differences between a senior claims adjuster and a total loss specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Claims Adjuster | Total Loss Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior claims adjusters' and total loss specialists' demographics:
| Senior Claims Adjuster | Total Loss Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8% | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 5.2% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |