Life As an Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator

Example of an Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator Job Investigate, analyze, and determine the extent of insurance company’s liability concerning personal, casualty, or property loss or damages, and attempt to effect settlement with claimants. Correspond with or interview medical specialists, agents, witnesses, or claimants to compile information. Calculate benefit payments and approve payment of claims within a certain monetary limit.

List of Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator Job Duties

• Examine titles to property to determine validity and act as company agent in transactions with property owners.
• Negotiate claim settlements and recommend litigation when settlement cannot be negotiated.
• Refer questionable claims to investigator or claims adjuster for investigation or settlement.
• Analyze information gathered by investigation and report findings and recommendations.
• Investigate and assess damage to property and create or review property damage estimates.
• Interview or correspond with claimants, witnesses, police, physicians, or other relevant parties to determine claim settlement, denial, or review.

Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator Required Skills

Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Related Job Titles

• Claims Service Adjustor
• Insurance Appraiser
• Health Claims Examiner
• Claims Specialist
• Clerical Adjuster

Job Opportunities for Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 311,100 jobs in the United States for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators.

Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator jobs are decreasing by a rate of -1.4%. This means the total job opportunities are shrinking. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a loss of -4,500 jobs for Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators by 2026. There will be an estimated 24,500 positions for Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators are Florida, Arizona, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in California, New York, or Pennsylvania. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator Salary

The average yearly salary of an Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator ranges between $39,620 and $98,660. The median salary for this occupation is $65,900.

How much do Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Connecticut	$78,590
Massachusetts	$76,150
New Jersey	$74,260
District of Columbia	$74,210
Alaska	$73,370
Colorado	$72,460
Washington	$72,340
Maryland	$72,050
New York	$71,950
Rhode Island	$71,950
California	$71,720
New Hampshire	$71,190
Texas	$69,560
Michigan	$67,860
Oregon	$67,750
Pennsylvania	$67,730
Kansas	$67,570
Arizona	$67,340
Louisiana	$66,440
Missouri	$66,340
Vermont	$66,240
Illinois	$65,980
Ohio	$65,890
Minnesota	$65,760
Nevada	$65,510
Georgia	$65,430
Wyoming	$65,300
Alabama	$65,060
New Mexico	$63,890
Virginia	$63,640
Indiana	$63,480
Delaware	$63,440
Wisconsin	$63,420
Idaho	$63,020
South Carolina	$62,950
Hawaii	$62,860
Florida	$62,840
Iowa	$62,750
Mississippi	$62,700
North Carolina	$62,580
Arkansas	$61,930
Oklahoma	$61,670
South Dakota	$61,490
Nebraska	$61,050
Maine	$60,980
Tennessee	$60,550
Utah	$59,330
North Dakota	$58,580
West Virginia	$57,030
Montana	$55,970
Kentucky	$55,820

What Tools do Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators may use on a daily basis:

• Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
• MapScenes Evidence Recorder
• MapScenes Pro
• ADP software
• Microsoft Office
• Medical procedure coding software
• ARSoftware WinSMAC
• CAD Zone Insurance
• Visual Statement Investigator Suite
• PhotoModeler

How do I Become an Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator?

Education needed to be an Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator:

What work experience do I need to become an Insurance Adjuster, Examiner, or Investigator?

Who Employs Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators?

Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators might also be interested in the following careers:

• Court Reporters
• Database Administrators

Those who work as Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Administrative Services Managers

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons