Jeffrey Wade
Becoming a roofing insurance adjuster is a relatively simple process, and you can become qualified in just a few weeks. The role suits someone who is active and enjoys working out in the field, as well as being able to cope with high-pressure situations. A high school diploma is essential, and a bachelor's or associate's degree is desirable. You'll also need to be good at maths and have strong communication skills. Most states require a licence to practice, so be sure to check your state's requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | A high school diploma is required, while a bachelor's or associate's degree can be helpful. |
| Major Course | Claims adjusters can choose between catastrophe and everyday claims. |
| Experience | An internship or previous work experience in a related field can be beneficial. |
| Skills | Good math, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills are important for claims adjusters. |
| Licensing | Requirements vary by state, including passing an exam, meeting specific requirements, and applying for a license. |
| Career Path | Claims adjusters can work as staff members or independent contractors, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. |
| Job Search | Major job websites and insurance company websites are good places to find entry-level positions. |
What You'll Learn
Decide if a career as a claims adjuster is a good fit for your interests and skills
Claims adjusters (also known as "loss adjusters") review claims for property damage or bodily injury made to an insurance company's policyholders. It is a stable industry with excellent earning potential, but it is not for everyone.
Hard and Soft Skills Required
You will need to possess certain hard skills and qualifications to become an adjuster, such as being at least 18 years old, holding a valid driver's license, and being a bonafide resident of your state. However, it is the soft skills that set great adjusters apart. These include self-discipline, an excellent work ethic, and great communication skills.
Challenging but Rewarding
Claims adjusting is a challenging career that requires you to be out in the field investigating claims, often dealing with emergencies and catastrophes, and facing high-stress situations. At the same time, it can be rewarding, as you will be helping people get back on their feet after a loss, and the pay is good.
Always in Demand
Insurance adjusters are always in demand, regardless of economic factors, as claims remain steady. Independent claims adjusters can earn annual salaries in excess of $100,000, while staff adjusters who work directly for insurance carriers earn salaries ranging from $45,000 to $80,000 or more.
The Challenge and Opportunity of Catastrophes
In catastrophe situations, such as hurricanes or other natural disasters, the massive increase in claims demand leads to a spike in earnings for adjusters. However, you must be prepared to work in extremely challenging environments and be ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
The Future is Bright
The industry is rapidly evolving, and there is a growing demand for adjusters due to retiring professionals and an increasing number of damaging weather events.
Education Requirements
A high school diploma or its equivalent is necessary to work as a claims adjuster, and in some cases, this may be sufficient for entry-level positions. However, pursuing further education, such as a bachelor's or associate's degree, can be advantageous.
Choosing Your Path
Claims adjusters can be divided into two types: catastrophe adjusters and everyday claims adjusters. Catastrophe adjusters respond to major weather events and emergencies, while everyday claims adjusters focus on smaller events like car crashes or home insurance claims.
Developing the Right Skills
As a claims adjuster, you will need a wide range of skills, including math proficiency for calculating damage costs, analytical skills for assessing claims, and strong communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with a diverse range of people.
Licensing Requirements
The requirements for obtaining a license vary by state, so it is essential to check with your state's insurance board. Some states may require passing an exam, while others may mandate a certain level of experience in the field.
In conclusion, a career as a claims adjuster offers a challenging yet rewarding opportunity with excellent earning potential. It is well-suited for individuals who possess the necessary hard and soft skills, are comfortable with high-stress situations, and have the flexibility to deploy when needed.
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Get a high school diploma and consider further education
To become a roofing insurance adjuster, you'll need at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. This is the bare minimum to work in the insurance field. However, pursuing further education will open more doors for you.
While a high school diploma can help you get your foot in the door at an insurance agency, having a bachelor's or associate's degree can be advantageous when it comes to becoming a claims adjuster. The type of degree you pursue can depend on the specific area of the field you want to work in. For example, if you're interested in financial claims adjusting, a degree in accounting could be a good choice. On the other hand, if you're more inclined towards assessing damage in industrial settings, an engineering degree might be more useful. Alternatively, a trade school degree in auto repair could be beneficial for understanding the cost of repairs, which is an important aspect of the insurance business.
In addition to a degree, gaining relevant work experience through internships or entry-level positions can also boost your resume and increase your chances of becoming a roofing insurance adjuster.
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Develop skills in math, analytics, and communication
To become a roofing insurance adjuster, you will need to develop skills in math, analytics, and communication.
Math Skills
As a roofing insurance adjuster, you will need to be good at math since you will be calculating the cost of damage. Focus on taking math courses in high school and college so that you are well-prepared for this aspect of the job.
Analytical Skills
As a roofing insurance adjuster, you will need to be able to look at all the pieces of data available and make sound decisions. Taking college courses, especially philosophy and English courses, can help you develop these skills. However, you can also develop analytical skills in your everyday life by stepping back and analyzing the facts of a situation. For example, when you are trying to make a decision about what car to buy, analyze all the details available to make your decision.
Communication Skills
Communication skills are extremely important for roofing insurance adjusters as they regularly interact with multiple people, including insurance policyholders, insurance companies, and other professionals involved in an insurance claim. Taking English classes and speech classes will help develop these skills, but so will working in retail and talking to people you meet.
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Check your state's requirements and schedule your exam
The requirements for becoming a roofing insurance adjuster vary by state. To become a roofing insurance adjuster, you will need to pass an exam. Here are the steps to follow to check your state's requirements and schedule your exam:
- Determine your state's licensing requirements: Visit your state's insurance board website or contact them directly to find out the specific requirements for obtaining a roofing insurance adjuster license in your state. Some states may require you to complete pre-licensing education courses, while others may have different eligibility criteria.
- Complete any necessary pre-licensing education: If your state requires pre-licensing education, enrol in an approved course. These courses will provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to pass the licensing exam. You may have the option to take these courses online or in person, depending on your state and your preferences.
- Register for the exam: Once you have met the pre-licensing requirements or determined that your state does not have any, you can register for the licensing exam. Contact the relevant authority or visit their website to find out the procedure for registration, scheduling, and payment.
- Prepare for the exam: Obtain study materials and practice exams to prepare for the licensing exam. You may also consider enrolling in an exam preparation course offered by private institutions to enhance your knowledge and increase your chances of passing.
- Schedule the exam: Choose a suitable date and time for your exam, keeping in mind that it is a proctored test, so you will need to be in a controlled environment with a supervisor.
- Take the exam: Arrive at the exam centre on time and follow the instructions provided by the proctors. Bring the required identification documents and any other necessary materials, such as your certificate of completion from the pre-licensing course.
By following these steps, you will be able to check your state's specific requirements and schedule your roofing insurance adjuster licensing exam.
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Apply for your license and find entry-level positions
Apply for your license
First, check your state's requirements. Each state has different requirements for obtaining an insurance adjuster license. Some states require you to take a pre-licensing course before sitting for the exam. Some states require you to pass an exam to earn a license, while others do not.
If your state requires you to take an exam, you will need to study for it. Each state that offers an insurance adjuster license includes an exam content outline to help applicants prepare. You will need to understand and apply the following information on the state insurance adjuster exam:
- Property and liability insurance concepts, contracts, law, and adjusting practices
- Casualty and liability insurance (automobile, umbrella policies, homeowners, farm liability, boiler and machinery, crime and surety, workers' compensation, and other commercial casualty insurance)
- Fire and allied lines (dwellings, homeowners, commercial property, flood, business owners, inland marine insurance, ocean marine insurance, and aviation insurance)
- Motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown
- State-specific laws and regulations that apply to insurance adjusters
After passing the exam, you can apply for your license. The application process and criteria differ from one state to another. Your state will require your personal and background information to process your insurance adjuster license application. You can apply for your insurance adjuster license through your state's Department of Division of Insurance. Most use an online secure portal to keep your information safe. Application fees range from $20 to over $200. You can expect to pay multiple fees to become fully licensed as an insurance adjuster.
Find entry-level positions
You can find positions on major job websites such as Monster, Yahoo!, or Indeed. You can also look on the websites of major insurance companies, as most companies have an area where they list available jobs.
If you've gained experience as an intern, use that to get your foot in the door. If you don't want to return to the company you interned at, you can still use that experience to help you stand out from other candidates.
Match your skills to the job. For example, if you've worked in retail, you likely have good interpersonal skills. If you've worked as a cop or in security, you've likely done similar work to what you'll do as an adjuster.
Remember, you won't start out in the big leagues. You'll start off with small claims and probably work under someone more experienced to learn the ropes.
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Frequently asked questions
A high school diploma or equivalent is necessary to work as an insurance adjuster. A bachelor's or associate's degree can also be helpful, especially in a field related to the type of insurance adjusting you want to do. For example, a degree in accounting could be useful for financial claims adjusting, while an engineering degree could be useful for assessing damage in industrial fields.
Insurance adjusters need a wide range of skills, including math, analytical skills, and communication and interpersonal skills.
Yes, you will need a license to be an insurance adjuster. The requirements for obtaining a license vary by state, so be sure to check with your state's insurance board to find out the specific requirements for your state.
There are two main types of insurance adjusters: staff adjusters and independent insurance adjusters. Staff adjusters work as year-round employees for an insurance company, while independent insurance adjusters are contractors who work for one or more insurance adjusting firms. You can also choose to specialize in a certain type of work or claim, such as catastrophe (CAT), auto, workers' comp, or marine claims.
Once you have obtained the necessary education and skills, you can start by reaching out to IA firms and applying for entry-level positions. It is also helpful to have some internship or work experience in the field to get your foot in the door.
