Adjuster Career Guide and Counseling

Question: I just got my Tx claims adjuster license, where do i start to get into adjusting? I have my BS and 5 year exp. in healthcare. Ultimate goal is to be an independent adjuster but i want and need to gain exp. first. Also interested in auto claims. I reside in the DFW area.

Answer: You can always work for third part admin. Carl Warren & Company NovaPro Risk GAB Rollins

Question: What is the voltage adjuster (the ones like volume adjuster on earphones) called? I want to purchase the voltage adjustable resistors for 12V . The problem is I dont know what its specifically called. Its the onles like on the earphones, where you can adjust the volume from quiet to loud. I took apart the earphone adjuster and soldered it to the 12v, but it burned in 10 seconds. I want those with a knob, so I can adjust the speed of my computer fans . Any clue of whats its called?

Answer: potentiometer aka variable resistor

Question: What is required to become a public adjuster? If I were to become a public adjuster, is a license necessary or any amount of classes in PA? Is this a good career? What is involved? Do you have any insights to this career?

Answer: Is there another name for Public Adjuster thats why you are not getting any answers

Question: What is the difference between a claims adjuster and a claims specialist? In an auto accident bodily injury claim what is the difference between a claims adjuster and a claims specialist and why would a case be bumped up to the specialist?

Answer: The specialist is an adjuster with more experience. If the claim got transferred from an adjuster to a specialist it usually means one of two things. 1)it is a major injury or 2) the company thinks there is something fishy with the claim.

Question: How many hours a week to property claims adjuster work? I am going to interview for a property claims adjuster next week and I had some questions. I asked the person setting up the interview and they couldn't really tell me much. The pay is hourly and I am trying to find out how much the pay will be. The position is out in the field doing the property inspections and writing the checks there.

Answer: If you're an inside adjuster, at an hourly rate, you'll probably be working part time - very part time. Most inside adjusters are salaried, and work 40 - 60 hour weeks. you can find average pay for a particular job, at www.salary.com

Question: what is the quickest way to become a claims adjuster? i need to get certified to become a claims adjuster as quickly as possible. does anyone know any shortcuts to speed up the process. any help would be appreciated.

Answer: You'll probably get better answers if you let us know what state(s) you want to be licensed in (not certified). Not all states require adjusters to be licensed, but those that do require licenses require you to take a test. If you live in a state that requires adjusters to be licensed start there. Then you may be able to use that license to obtain licenses in other states without taking any other tests. Check out this site for more info. http://www.alllinestraining.com/statelicensingrules.htm

Question: Is a Texas all lines adjuster license nessessary in the state of NE? I am a Nebraska resident and interested in becoming an independent adjuster. I know that Nebraska does not require a license to adjust claims, so what is required? Should I just take an Xactimate course and add that to my resume? Any suggestions.... I would be adjusting claims in Nebraska.

Answer: Each state has their own licensing requirements. If you want to adjust claims in/for the state of Texas, then yes you have to be licensed.

Question: What was your experience in settling a injury claim with adjuster? Have anyone ever settled a claim with the other fault party;s insurance co.? What information did you have to give to the adjuster? Did they cooperate with you? How long did they take to come to an agreement with you? What was your experience? Did you need legal help or no?

Answer: Get an attorney. I have dealt with them and if they know you are going it alone they will rip you off. State Farm is the worst to deal with!

Question: Does a personal injury claims adjuster have a limit as to the amount they can settle a case for? I was wondering if a personal injury claims adjuster has to go to his or her superior for a larger dollar amout? What is the process for a claim that will potential settle for around the 100,000.00 mark?

Answer: Pretty much any claim over $5,000, has to be reviewed with a supervisor. Any claims over $20,000, usually need a department supervisor to sign off on - this is a FRAUD control measure that the insurance companies implement. But NO carrier is going to settle a case for more than the POLICY LIMIT.

Question: In a home with water damage and ruined antiques will an adjuster work with you if you can repair the items ? We have damaged antique furniture that we have an estimate for repair, however I can do the job myself, will an adjuster work with me on this?

Answer: Yes, as a contents adjuster, I have worked with and paid people to do their own work. However, it is up to the adjuster to make the decision as to whether it is in your best interests. Call and ask.

Question: How to be assigned a new insurance adjuster? I was hit by a drunk driver. There were injuries involved, but medical treatment is now done. The adjuster I'm dealing with treats me like crap. Basically like I did something bad. He does not want to pay my medical despite his insured driver being 100% at fault. I am ready to settle, but he acts like he hopes I'll go away. He basically has an attitude of "what do you want" when ever I call. I know, get an attorney, but I'm waiting to see what they might offer before I go that route. The attorney will take 40% of he has to sue, which means I've got to get a bundle over the medical bills just to pay me costs. How common is it to request a different adjuster? Who, how, and where do I ask for this? Will they accomodate my request? Any tips on how to approach this idea? There is no way I want to deal with this same adjuster again. He is a genuine A-hole, for real! I love how you adjusters all refer to medical bills as we will "consider them" This is why you always get sued and loose. I think in my case and many others, they are more then "considered" what a laughable response.

Answer: You can ask to speak w/ the adjusters manager and explain to them the situation, not sure though if they will assign your file to someone else. Secondly, The company is not going to be paying your medical bills for you. They only take them into consideration when presenting you with an offer. You will have to submit your meds thru your own auto insurance or health insurance company.

Question: How hard is it to get an insurance adjuster job? Do you have to have a college degree or can you start out as an entry level adjuster?

Answer: Most insurance companies do require a college degree. It does not have to be in anything specific, but you usually have to have one to be an adjuster. However, some companies will hire folks with body shop experience to be appraisers. Generally these are folks who did body work or ran body shop and are hired to write estimates for the insurance company. If you have good shop experience, insurance companies do not usually require a 4 year degree to be an appraiser. As far as being an adjuster goes - for me it's been a great job. It does require a lot of people skills, time management, organization, the ability to solve problems and think on your feet. It also depends on which company you work for. Some are better than others. I started out at one of the companies (who I will not name) that is known to be one of the worst in the industry to work for. I worked there for 2 years - and took my experience to another company that is much better to work for and plan to be here until I retire. Generally, your larger companies are going to have more turn over and more openings. You can usually get on with one of them. If it turns out that you don't like it - it could be that it's not the job but the company that's the problem and you just keep your mouth shut, head down, do a good job and once you have a year or two of experience - move onto another company.

Question: What is a typical day like for a claims adjuster? I am considering becoming a claims adjuster, can you tell me what a typical day/week is like? Additionally, I would like to know about the requirements.

Answer: There is no "typical" It will depend first of all, on what type of adjuster you are. Like anything else, there are specialties. Worker's Compensation claims, Auto, Liability, property, medical, etc. Also, it will depend on if you are an inside adjuster (stay in the office and pay medical claims) or an outside adjuster (out in the field estimating damage on a fire to a building, etc.) Some U.S. states require claims adjusters to have a license. Some do not. To become an adjuster, you basically get a trainee job with an insurance company or third party administrator and learn on the job.

Question: How do you handle a rude insurance adjuster in Texas? I had a fire in my home, and my Germania adjuster is rude and very hard to get along with what can I do? I have contacted his supervisor and he met with me ( a very nice man) I called him a couple of days later and I left a message, my call was returned by the first adjuster and i was told not to contact the supervisor again.

Answer: When you say "rude" don't you really mean to say that you are upset that you aren't getting as much money as you want out of this fire? I was an adjuster for 20 years, and any time that I refused to cave in to some insured's greed, no matter how polite and professional I was, they complained that I was "rude", and usually made up some lies of misconduct to go along with it. The supervisor hears fictitious complaints like yours all day long, and puts no stock in them. That's why he hasn't called you back. If your adjuster truly is rude (which I doubt) you are going to have to either learn to deal with it like a grown-up, or hire a public adjuster to do it for you.

Question: would you hire a public adjuster if you home burned down in california? I have fire insurance for my home thru Loydds of London.Should I get a public adjuster to deal with them?

Answer: OH, no, don't do it. Whatever agent you used to get to Lloyds, ask them to help expedite the claim. But it takes FOREVER to get Lloyds to pay a claim. I feel for ya.

Question: Where to find adjuster for electric mirrors on a susuki ignis? My dad brought a Suzuki ignis it said it had electric mirrors but we can not find the adjuster to move them, it is a complete mystery as there is no manual adjuster there either, please help? it is a 3 door 2002 model, sorry.

Answer: I am afraid you have to put the windows down and do it by hand