How to hire a total loss specialist

How to hire a total loss specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step total loss specialist hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The total loss specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

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   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a total loss specialist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a total loss specialist that fits the bill.

   This list presents total loss specialist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Total Loss Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Total Loss Specialist	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	$15-38
   Adjuster	An adjuster is responsible for evaluating the extent of loss in the company by calculating the damage costs, determining the settlement payment to the client, and managing the reputation of the company for claims accountability. Adjusters must have extensive knowledge of the insurance principles and processes, following the state and federal regulations to protect clients and the business from insurance fraud... Show more	$16-32
   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... Show more	$16-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • HR
   • Outbound Calls
   • Inbound Calls
   • Insurance Claims
   • Training Sessions
   • Processing Claims
   • SLA
   • Fraud Claims
   • Inspection Reports
   • Customer Inquiries
   • External Standards
   • Call Handling
   • State Regulations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Analyze and support development and execution of underwriting, automation and operational strategies to efficiently and effectively manage the portfolio.
   • Work with SIU to flag fraud and mitigate fraudulent payouts.
   • Clean, pack and organize the SIU office and files.
   • Participate in utilizing inter-company arbitration.
   • Participate in utilizing inter-company arbitration.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your total loss specialist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A total loss specialist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, total loss specialists' average salary in wyoming is 37% less than in virginia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level total loss specialists earn 60% less than senior-level total loss specialists.
   • Certifications. A total loss specialist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a total loss specialist's salary.

   Average total loss specialist salary

   $51,718yearly

   $24.86 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level total loss specialist salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a total loss specialist job description

   A job description for a total loss specialist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a total loss specialist job description:

   Total loss specialist job description example

   If you're passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide's Property and Casualty team could be the place for you!
   
   Nationwide Insurance is the 8th largest commercial carrier. Our Loss Control Services organization has over 125 Loss Control associates and technical staff. Our commercial portfolio of accounts consists of traditional, middle market and national accounts. Business segments include: contractors, manufacturing, real estate management, service industries, retailers, etc. We are seeking a Loss Control Specialist with responsibilities for the Houston and surrounding areas. The person in this role needs to reside in or around the greater Houston area. The position may be filled at the Consultant, Loss Control or Sr Rep, Loss Control levels depending on the applicant's skills and qualifications. We are seeking individuals with multi-line commercial experience to complete loss control surveys and provide ongoing consulting service to a portfolio of accounts.
   
   Strong project management skills are required to develop and enhance loss control policies, practices and new products to support business partners. Strong relationship, marketing and consulting skills required to interact with underwriting, agents, members, managers, third parties and team members. Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to operate a personal computer and other business equipment, prioritize work, and meet deadlines. Refer to Loss Control job documentation for additional requirements.
   Compensation grade: F5
   
   #LI-DNI
   
   Job Description Summary
   
   The Loss Control Services team at Nationwide contributes to the overall success of our customers' businesses operationally and financially, and we learn and grow with them. If you thrive in an environment where you can apply your expertise and experience to help business partners be successful, this could be the job for you!
   
   As a Loss Control Specialist, you'll consult and provide risk control services to a large portfolio of complex accounts within a line of business, influencing profitability and retention and creating a valued customer experience within a collaborative environment. We'll count on you to help determine effective controls, make improvement recommendations and differentiate classes of business. You'll have the opportunity to make a difference for our customers and company as you build and grow internal and external relationships, while continually growing your skills and expertise.
   
   Job Description
   
   Key Responsibilities:
   
   * Provides risk management services for a large portfolio of complex accounts to influence profitability and retention. Creates and recommends service objectives based upon customer goals, risk assessment results and loss analysis.
   
   * Meets with customers to identify hazards and exposures by conducting risk assessments to determine the effectiveness of controls and identify technically sound recommendations for risk improvement. Assigns an appropriate line of business rating based on professional judgment and company guidance.
   
   * Researches customer operations, industry and technical information to prepare for site surveys, service work, meetings, presentations and projects.
   
   * Builds the technical acumen to become a subject matter expert for a single line of business or practice.
   
   * Builds and maintains strong relationships with customers, business partners, agents. Functions as an ongoing resource and contact person with a high level of expertise.
   
   * Consults with customers, providing observations, solutions and support to meet business needs. Creates and recommends service objectives based on customer goal assessments and loss analysis. Identifies service opportunities based on loss trends and other data.
   
   * Communicates technical information effectively both verbally and in writing through preparation of technical reports in a state-of-the-art workflow environment.
   
   * Interacts with internal and external customers, leadership, peers and subject matter experts in a collaborative environment to gather and share information that helps our customers succeed.
   
   * Performs and coordinates technical training for internal and external customers.
   
   * Actively participates in career development activities and training.
   
   May perform other responsibilities as assigned.
   
   Reporting Relationships: Reports to Manager or Director. Does not have direct reports.
   
   Typical Skills and Experiences:
   
   Education: Bachelor's degree in safety, science, engineering, fire protection or construction management preferred.
   
   License/Certification/Designation: There is an expectation of progress toward a professional designation, such as Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and others. Associates must acquire all required state certifications.
   
   Experience: Five to 10 years of commercial loss control or related experience preferred.
   
   Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: General knowledge of safety and risk management practices and principles, including regulatory (Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], Department of Transportation [DOT], etc.) and national consensus standards (NFPA, etc.) preferred. Understanding of the commercial insurance business process and the fundamental role of loss control in that process. Good verbal and written communication skills to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts. Must possess a desire to learn, grow and develop skills. Ability to prioritize work and time. Ability to operate a personal computer and learn/use applicable systems.
   
   Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.
   
   Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager's leader and HR Business Partner.
   
   Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.
   
   Job Conditions:
   
   Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not Eligible)
   
   Working Conditions: Must be able to climb, stoop, bend, balance on various heights, crawl and lift 50 lbs, use PPE when required and conduct physical site surveys in inclement weather and physical environments. May require relocation. This is a field-based position. May require frequent and overnight travel. Must have a valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record in accordance with Nationwide standards.
   
   ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.
   
   Safety Sensitive: This job has been identified as a Safety Sensitive (SS) position and in accordance with our substance free work place program may be subject to random alcohol and other drug testing.
   
   Benefits
   
   We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental, paid time off plus nine paid holidays, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.
   
   Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right total loss specialist for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with total loss specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of 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 total loss specialist

   Once you've found the total loss specialist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new total loss specialist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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